Ive gone and done it!

[rosinante]

Just bought a caravan, just a small one 2 berth, being as green as grass at this lark I didnt notice the big smiley sticker covering the repaired hole at just above head height, further digging uncovered the evidence of rot in the ally just afew pin holes near the moving handle ,the van otherwise is in excellent condition,Q what should I use to repair the repair properly? the ally is very thin and the body filler that has been used is about 50mm dia, should I cut it all out and try a patch?the interior trim is unmarked and I am reluctant to remove it.As it is on the rear of the van I am thinking about fitting a pair of large reflectors Is this ok legally?
Also do paint companies keep codes for caravans?thanks in advance, I put this in the brew room, didnt think it belonged anywhere else on the forum,

Cheers
Chris

 

[Paul.]

Grab handles and guttering / trim are a common area where water gets in, through the screw or nail holes,
If the ally is rotten then its likely the timber behind is rotten too, caravan panels are usually no more than 22swg, and since the early to mid 70s all but the best quality coach built vans were fitted with pre finished sheet, caravan manufacturers are very poor at keeping records and supplying spares, for paint I used to take a piece of panel to a local paint factor for matching.
I worked for a while doing caravan repairs and servicing, and had a part time business at it for a number of years. what sometimes looks like a minor job can entail removing both the inner and outer panels to fix properly.
What make of caravan is it.

 

[Ducati]

" further digging uncovered the evidence of rot in the ally just a few pin holes near the moving handle "

AsTig mentioned, repairs on caravans can get somewhat involved , much like repairing classic cars

Look carefully at the pin holes, can you see signs of aluminum oxide ( white powdery deposit ) on the inside of the holes ?

The usual cause is moisture entering and remaining in the area and a galvanic reaction taking place between the inner ally face, which wasn't painted and such as screws in the handles or the staples often used to join the inner timbers.

Small repairs to the outer ally skin can sometimes be more involved than internal repairs.

Small repair patches present quite a few problems, the ally panel is usually bonded to the inner insulating foam, you can't weld it, adhesive bonding of ally to ally and to the foam to provide strong waterproof repair can be fun.

You could, as you suggested, repair with a good quality two pack body filler, opening the holes somewhat, then sticking a ' Been To Blackpool ' over it

A couple of things though, you need to find and cure where the water/ moisture has entered

Going by your description of the area involved, don't rive too much on the handles, if at all, or you may end up sat on damp grass with the handle in your hand

Been there and done it

Bought my first caravan, (we had gone out to buy another tent), noticed a bit of damp inside in the corners, started probing with a scribe, ended up making a 3x2 frame to support the roof whilst I revived my joinery skills on all four walls.

I'll never forget the look on Mrs. Ducati's face at what I had done to our pride and joy when she popped a brew through the door

Lucky it was autumn and I had all winter to sort it, the ****** wasn't going to beat me.

Welcome to another learning curve.

 

[Shox Dr]

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrh

I hate caravans, or should I say I hate the ignorant people who think there is no one stuck behind them.
If I had my way they would need;
A certificate of road worthiness (sp)
The driver to have an additional test.
And only allowed to travel between the hours of 22:00hrs and 07:00hrs


RANT over (...and breath)

 

[rosinante]

Caravan

Hi Thanks for helpful replies,the make is an Elddis, model is Wisp 350/2,I am gonna get another looksee today, the fittings are sealed to the bodywork with a type of non setting grey mastic a bit like Dumdum as used on landys, whats it called ? also where might I get some?

Cheers
Chris

Life in the slow lane now!!

 

[Shox Dr]

You can use builders mastic

 

[Engineer]

It might be a good idea to get rid, as repairing thin skin alloy bodywork suffering from corrosion damage may well turn out to be a nightmare. I would imagine you are wanting to actually use this van, rather than just simply spending time and money on it, so redoing the original bodge job, and putting it on Ebay may be the best move?

 

[bobh]

shox they do have to take a test irc 1999 was when it came in. I always know when someone is behind me wanting to fly past at 60+ mph on a 40mph limit, as for restricting the time allowed on the road maybe people would have thought the same when they were behind my 44tonne artic. As for a certificate of road worthiness, a mot cert doesen't guarantee your vehicle is road worthy for the full year now does it.

Yes you guessed I am a caravanner, because wifey loves the caravan and I much prefer to papa oscar other road users than wifey.

 

[Shox Dr]

shox they do have to take a test irc 1999 was when it came in.

A caravan can sit in a field festering for years, and be taken on the road without any type of test

I always know when someone is behind me wanting to fly past at 60+ mph on a 40mph limit.

as for restricting the time allowed on the road maybe people would have thought the same when they were behind my 44tonne artic.

Plenty of European countries already do this

As for a certificate of road worthiness, a mot cert doesen't guarantee your vehicle is road worthy for the full year now does it.

See my first reply, There is legal a requirement to make sure your vehicle is road worthy BEFORE any journey, and penalties if it is not, so there is a greater motive to make sure it is road worthy. Unlike Caravans.

Yes you guessed I am a caravanner, because wifey loves the caravan and I much prefer to papa oscar other road users than wifey.

Says it all really, I stand by what I said in post #4

 

[pidgeon chit welder]

A caravan can sit in a field festering for years, and be taken on the road without any type of test







Plenty of European countries already do this




See my first reply, There is legal a requirement to make sure your vehicle is road worthy BEFORE any journey, and penalties if it is not, so there is a greater motive to make sure it is road worthy. Unlike Caravans.



Says it all really, I stand by what I said in post #4

And fall upon the sword of " respecting other road users "

 

[bobh]

test i refered to was re the driver not the caravan

if I tow anything that is not in a roadworthy condition inc a caravan plod WILL impose penalties