Going to see (and possibly buy) a motorhome in Chile tomorrow, help needed!

[Du And Nica]

Hello everyone,

The exact brand and model we're looking for (Sunlight A72) just came up here in Chile:


Being year 2013, it's older than the 2015+ we were planning, and without the extras we want (specially the oven). *BUT*, it already has a Chilean license (so it gets us over the whole damned importing business, which we haven't managed to solve yet) and is available *now*... and the price, after considering the shipping cost, European seaport fees, importing/aduana/licensing costs here in Chile, etc, is equivalent to about 32,000 EUR so it's not terribly expensive (actually, if it doesn't have any issues like water intrusions or corrosion or mechanical issues as we've seen in some units here, it will be the best value we'd have seen so far).

The catch (there's always a catch...) is that it is in far away Osorno to the South (about a 12h bus trip)... I will be calling them at opening time (about 2 h from now) and inquiring, if they *say* it's all good, we will catch the bus tonight and arrive there tomorrow morning to inspect it.

We plan on asking the seller to drive it to a Bosch Car Center that we found with good recommendations nearby, in order to have an engine inspection (and specially to connect it to a scanner and check whether there are any issues being reported by the engine's computer).

Anything else we can do to make sure we're not getting a lemon? Is there a "motorhome self-inspection guide" somewhere?

Your tips are very much appreciated.

Cheers,
--
Du & Nica.

 

[MR. FUSION]

@campa cola Thanks for the info. I did press the damned roof up everywhere on the inside of the motorhome and felt no "giving" nor softness -- will do that again today with special attention to that corresponding area in the hear, just to be sure.

The Google Photos tool I used to post my video of the roof inspection *really* sucks -- I just reposted it using Youtube, I hope you and everyone else can see (and hear!) it now:

If you can, please send me what you think.

Another info is that yesterday the dealer's own "master fixer" used this device to probe the roof for moisture/infiltration issues: https://photos.app.goo.gl/eRurAErsfYiizpgu9
He showed the display to me after lightly pressing the device's prongs to the roof at various points and then pushing its button, and it showed a percentage always smaller than 10% (the guy told me that it would have to be over 50% to be a sign of any issues). But then he was the *dealer's* master fixer, and I'm not really familiar with this device or how should be configured (seems it has a different setting for each type of wood) or operated...

I'm feeling really nervous here... this is a big purchase (bigger than anything I've ever purchased, even my previous home) and I really don't want to mess it up :-/

Thanks to everyone for your help,
--
Du.

That's a better version vid thanks. As I said, I think the filler sandwich of insulation material between the outer thin aluminium skin and the inside of thin plywood may have been damaged in some way. Does the roof flex at all when it was pushed I can't tell. The roof should be absolutely solid, with no flex at all, I don't think is should creak like that

 

[Du And Nica]

@campa cola, it did flex something like 2-3mm under my fist. When I press it from the inside, on the other hand, the effects (both flexing and noise) are much less (even with me lying on my back so as to be able to use my shoulders to apply full pressure):

@Zigisla, does your rear ceiling, when pressed from the top bunk like I did in that last video, shows any flexing or noise?
Sorry to bother you again, but as you have the exact same vehicle, your input is crucial.

 

[Nikki]

Hi, when I press down on my motorhome roof there is the same sound and feeling, because there is a gap between the roof lining and the grp on the outside, it buckles a bit when you press on it, no problem at all, and I'm always up there waxing it!

 

[Du And Nica]

The grey sealant leakage also looks quite normal to me an many campers, especially in hidden areas like roofs where the manufacturers figure you've never really see it too much.

There's some "gray matter leaking" (just hope it isn't the motorhome 'brains' ;-)) on the side walls too, out of the trimming where it joins the roof. I will post some more pictures tomorrow.

Here are more pictures of the dark grey stuff coming out at the side joints between roof and walls (first pic of each pair is at a distance, and the second one is a close-up): https://photos.app.goo.gl/L51kLPZ4SvKAYH1N7
I counted and there's 9 spots like this all around the roof/walls joining, none anywhere else.

@Ridgeway (and everyone else reading this), what do you think?

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[Zigisla]

Unfortunately I am not with my MH atm. I can check on the way home, but that will be in 2 hours from now 14:40. I cannot open the video or pictures on my work computer so will check these out too. I have had a sat dome and solar panels fitted to my roof which entailed climbing around on it so I would worry about damage. I have also had the dealer reseal the roof light when we thought the leak was from that. I will check out the sealant extrusion as well.

 

[Du And Nica]

Unfortunately I am not with my MH atm. I can check on the way home, but that will be in 2 hours from now 14:40. I cannot open the video or pictures on my work computer so will check these out too. I have had a sat dome and solar panels fitted to my roof which entailed climbing around on it so I would worry about damage. I have also had the dealer reseal the roof light when we thought the leak was from that. I will check out the sealant extrusion as well.

Perfect @zigisla, waiting for your post. Again, many thanks thanks.

 

[TheBig1]

the crunching noise is a normal feature near the curved part of the roof as the outer skin is not glued to the insulation at that point. this allows for movement both on the road and as the roof heats up and cools down

the grey sealant is purely a cosmetic issue and easy to clean up with white spirit, a rag and an old plastic card

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

for the moisture meter if you press it to your palm it should read around 29-32%. For you motorhome readings I would suggest that if you see any readings over 15% then that will require investigating.

Don't forget you are not trading anything in so you have the upper hand in negotiations

 

[Du And Nica]

for the moisture meter if you press it to your palm it should read around 29-32%. For you motorhome readings I would suggest that if you see any readings over 15% then that will require investigating.

Don't forget you are not trading anything in so you have the upper hand in negotiations

Excellent tips @Jimbohorlicks ! Will ask to do this test.

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[Zigisla]

Well Ive got some good news and some bad news. The good news...I managed to get just high enough off the ground to press the roof around the sky light area and whilst I didn't get the cracking noise you did, it was creaking and flexing the same as in your video - maybe because I didn't put as much pressure on the roof as you did. I also pushed all around the roof internally and again creaking noises, but no cracking sounds and the roof liner flexes there as well; just like yours. Although I don't have extrusion as much as your picture shows, I do have it never the less and it is mainly from the roof to body side joint especially by the bulge and coming down the rear where the bike rack support sits.

Now for the bad news.. Well thats just for me, now I've been up to roof level Ive seen just how dirty is and I am now going to have to clean it!!!!!

Replace all the sealant around the openings as recommended on this site and from what others have seen and from what @TheBig1 said above, I don't see many issues with it. But, the decision, as they say...is yours.

 

[Du And Nica]

Great, @Zigisla! Many thanks!!! Will decide accordingly.

 

[MR. FUSION]

Great, @Zigisla! Many thanks!!! Will decide accordingly.

OK thanks to @Zigisla's info it's probably now I can say its the case the internal sandwich of the insulating foam is cracked and making that sound. Very much like cracked Kingspan sheeting would make with the material rubbing together under pressure.

@TheBig1 At 0:58 of the video you can see why I think the roof should be bonded together at the rear, to me the factory appears to be using fully bonded sheet throughout the build.

The black sealant Looks to me like it has got really hot and leaked out at the weakest points (mine has a few tiny bits but nothing like that. The no so good news is that this means there is much less of it now in the joints to stop water getting in You can see the sealant being put on at the factory 0:34 of the video.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

get the fixit man to reseal the top before you buy it or get a discount and do it yourself to make sure its done correctly

 

[Du And Nica]

Howdy everyone!

WE GOT IT! ;-) Have just had our first supper (camped in the driveway of the saleswoman for now, and connected to her electrical mains) and will sleep our first night in it the next few minutes.

We ended up paying a little over what we planned, but not much: we were planning on paying the Chilean equivalent of EUR 28250, and ended up paying EUR 29050, so about ~EUR 800 more. I think even with that overshoot, we got a good deal.

It's a few minutes to midnight here, so I'm going to call it a day as tomorrow we will be up early to drive it to the dealer for the next batch of fixes (small stuff, but lots of it), we will keep everyone posted.

Thanks again to you all! We are very happy here, we felt like we finally arrived home ;-)

Cheers,
-- Du And Nica.

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[Du And Nica]

Howdy everyone!

WE GOT IT! ;-) Have just had our first supper (camped in the driveway of the saleswoman for now, and connected to her electrical mains) and will sleep our first night in our very own motorhome the next few minutes.

We ended up paying a little over what we planned, but not much: we were planning on paying the Chilean equivalent of EUR 28250, and ended up paying EUR 29050, so about ~EUR 800 more. We think even with that overshoot, we got a good deal.

It's a few minutes to midnight here, so we're going to call it a day as tomorrow we will be up early to drive it to the dealer for the next batch of fixes (small stuff, but lots of it), we will keep everyone posted.

Thanks again to you all! We are very happy here, we felt like we finally arrived 'home' ;-)

Cheers,
-- Du And Nica.

 

[Sheddy]

Congratulations, hope you resolve all your issues with the dealer and look forward to meeting you and your new home on your travels.
Cheers
Ed

 

[StephandJohn]

Wooppeeee! Glad you've got it. How was the first night?

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Well done, enjoy your new motorhome and your forthcoming adventures

 

[MR. FUSION]

Enjoy Europe, loads of info, help and advice for your journey here

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[Figaro]

Well done, congratulations on your purchase.
But how you going to get to Europe now ?

 

[Zigisla]

Congratulations. Really glad you went for it..I think we all feel as though we have shares in it!!! Now for the naff stuff..Have you thought of a name for it yet??

 

[Viennese]

Well done - I will let my niece know to expect you in Pucon in the next few days! Are you still coming to Europe??

 

[WillH]

Well done and congratulations, enjoy your van. I haven't been in Chile since 1971 but still remember Valparaiso very fondly, had a few wild nights there.

 

[Du And Nica]

for the moisture meter if you press it to your palm it should read around 29-32%. For you motorhome readings I would suggest that if you see any readings over 15% then that will require investigating.

@Jimbohorlicks, everyone: today we were in the fix man's garage for the next-to-last round of fixes (there is going to be a final round because 2 parts -- the kitchen fawcet and the toilet cartridge seal -- were out of stock and will take a week to arrive) and I borrowe the humidity measurement tool to do my own measurements. First I tested sticking its prongs (lightly ;-)) in my palm and picked the configuration that gave the highest reading -- which was 32.2 as you predicted: https://photos.app.goo.gl/VPiKPVJZb6ouQF497

Then I stuck its prongs on a lot of places around the inside of the motorhome, including in the curved area of the ceiling where when pressed, would make the cracking sounds:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/LpdnfCVgyqYTWiVZA
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3iMpNRH84QpKGPK17
https://photos.app.goo.gl/epiQ4jUSDrKD5bnG9
https://photos.app.goo.gl/j1JKhU6PRNjdWziK9
https://photos.app.goo.gl/VuC3SJDzXSeav99t5

The largest reading was 10.3 (third link above)... And it rained the whole night on that roof, so I think we're free of humidity issues...

Cheers,
--
Du

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[Du And Nica]

Howdy everyone,

Well done - I will let my niece know to expect you in Pucon in the next few days!

Yep -- we're still waiting for a couple of spare parts for the final repairs, should be here -- according to thet saleswoman -- by the 12th, so it should be a week until we start on our way North. Will keep you posted!

Are you still coming to Europe??

Sure thing! We are now planning to go next Spring; as we'd no longer be looking for a motorhome to buy, we don't need to go on the autumn to try and get the best price.

But how you going to get to Europe now ?

We will either ship ours by boat, or catch a plane and buy a smaller/older/cheaper one on Europe and sell it back at the end of the trip (we've heard there are companies/garages in Germany especializing in that kind of business). Will have to look at the costs and conveniences for both options to decide.

Cheers,
--
Du & Nica.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

There must be lots of exciting places to go to in south America, Chile itself is a big country, Peru , Is it a relatively safe place to stop overnight in towns or do you have to use campsites etc

 

[pappajohn]

We will either ship ours by boat, or catch a plane and buy a smaller/older/cheaper one on Europe and sell it back at the end of the trip (we've heard there are companies/garages in Germany especializing in that kind of business). Will have to look at the costs and conveniences for both options to decide.

I think shipping costs can be quite expensive.
North America to UK I believe is around £100 per foot (€350>€400 per mtr) Inc all documentation and insurances.
That's one way.
It may be more economical to buy in Europe then sell on departure
As I said before, you will need to arrange registration and insurance so again, the aussies seem to have a handle on how to do that.

Even if you bring your own motorhome you will need European insurance.

 

[Du And Nica]

Howdy everyone,

Congratulations, hope you resolve all your issues with the dealer and look forward to meeting you and your new home on your travels.

Congratulations, hope you resolve all your issues with the dealer and look forward to meeting you and your new home on your travels.

Wooppeeee! Glad you've got it. How was the first night?

Well done, enjoy your new motorhome and your forthcoming adventures

Thank you everyone, we're literally happy campers now ;-)

First night was great, the motorhome was really cozy even through it was pretty cold outside. It rained all night but we didn't see any leaks nor anything, actually I used what I learned from @Jimbohorlicks to verify in the morning that no humidity got through from the roof -- and all was well.

Right now we're at a tyre shop exchanging the 4 (original!) Continental VancoCamper tyres for Goodyear Marathons -- they were the only non-chinese tyres we could get ahold here in Osorno. The dealer wanted to exchange only the front ones as the rear tyres were not too worn our, but I checked their DOT and they were from December 2012 -- so almost 6 years, which I understand is borderline for a motorhome tyre. Just checked and those Marathons aren't too new at DOT March 2017, but at least we get 4 more years and change on them before they reach that same ripe old age of 6 years.

We made a deal where they will pay for 3 tyres and I will pay for only 1 -- a good deal, everything considered.

 

[Du And Nica]

Howdy @Zigisla,

Congratulations. Really glad you went for it..I think we all feel as though we have shares in it!!!

Everyone here was really nice, but you were specially helpful -- it is no exaggeration to say that if not for your help, we would not have felt secure enough to have gone ahead with the purchase. So a special thanks is owed to you -- I hope someday we will be able to retribute.

Now for the naff stuff..Have you thought of a name for it yet??

LOL! We always called our cars and motorcycles by their licence plate codes -- but now this one is also our home, so we think it deserves to be called something nicer than GRYX74

Given the similarities between Sunlight's and the Afrika Korps logos , and given that I once was kinda of a WW2 aficionado, I was thinking of calling him Rommel, or perhaps just Erwin in order to sound less formal but better check what
Nica thinks of that first...

Cheers,
-- Du

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[jumartoo]

Congratulations.