That year of swift when they first introduced the high front window, was notorious for damp. Our 2011 swift challenger had to back to the factory for damp repair when it was found at the second service. It was leaking from the front high window and down both side around the wheel arches. I know this was a very common problem. Swift did fix the issue 2 years later when they introduced the Swift Smart construction.
Another great video. I am looking at one for sale with damp like this. Is it okay to just repair the seal ? seems like you changed the whole panel ? is there a video on how this is done, and costs involved for parts, and the potential labour or time taken to repair the damp panel ?
Hi there I have 2011 sterling and I have found bubbles further across and higher up towards the corner of van does that mean the window as been leaking or do you think could be awning rail or even front window rail that runs across the top of front windows also if I find leak will it dry out or will I need to replace bourd
I really do not understand the check for damp service narative. Why is it that a service does not include the close examination of roof and window joints and seals for any deteriouration before any water ingress can take place, What on earth is the point of finding damp after it has occurd. Surley its not rocket science to check and repair any doubtful sealant or seals before any damage or problems arrise. On the subject of servicing I have wittnesed wheels and brake drums being removed for no valid reason, there is an inspction hole for the purpose of checking brake linning condition. Removal of brake drums on an annual service is not recommended by AL-KO.
Hello David. Are you a caravanner? I'm not quite sure whether you're asking questions or just venting your frustration and wanting to make a point? If you watch my videos on damp you'll see I advocate looking visually at a van to see if there are any gaps in the sealant but it's not always possible to see the gaps or cracks upon a quick visual inspection and I would expect the engineer to always take a quick look when doing a service. (whether this happens or not is up to them) As part of any caravan service a none invasive or invasive damp check is essential to check for the beginnings of water getting into the van before it becomes a major problem. As for your comments on brakes... from my own experience selling caravans for 10 years and having them all serviced I've found many cracked shoes or even linings lying at the bottom of the drums and I don't think a tiny hole would show me cracks in the top surface of the shoes. Are you saying you'd like a service to be less thorough or more thorough? I know which I'd prefer from a safety perspective!
@@CaravanSource Sorry of what I said came accross in the wrong way. I was just trying say that the service appears to be focused on the wrong things, For example I have never seen a service where a pair of steps was used to check for any roof problems such as cracks in the plastic or sealant comeing out of joints, or as you have stated blocked water channels , Surely this could save a lot of future problems and expence, How long would it take to look, probably 15 minuets or less. I have owned caravans in the past and will shortly be a returning caravaner. Its going to be a top priority to go over all of the exteriour joints and roof plastic with a fine tooth comb at least once a year. Sorry for the rant but I do feel that a lot of caravan problems regarding water ingress could be avoided.
@@daviddavis6231 if all caravanners took this approach that'd be great. But sadly they don't. And I see many many very damp neglected caravans many more than are in my videos but it's as much due to ignorance than neglect to be fair. Which is why I make my videos to help people know what to look for and how to prolong the life of their vans.
The problem is people not getting vans serviced. If the previous owners had had the van serviced every year this would have been picked up before it became visible. Sealant fails whether that's in showers, roofs, houses, guttering, caravans, boats... it fails, have to keep it in check... that's what a service is for!
@CaravanSource not always, I have a sterling eccles. It was sold to me from a dealer and after 11 months I had water ingress coming in from the awning rail on both sides. You can't check the sealant under the awning rails without removing it and reveal aged and shrivelled sealant. Who would do that in a service. The problem is poor design which leaves sealant as the main line of defence. Built cheaply and the manufacturers relying on the problems appearing after the warranty is no longer in force most of the time or the caravan has been sold on to other owners. I was lucky, then problem appeared before my 1 year resale warranty was up, otherwise it would have been me paying north of £2k. The primary source of leaks is poor design. I don't have to have my car or campervan re-sealed yearly ? Don't victim blame.
That year of swift when they first introduced the high front window, was notorious for damp. Our 2011 swift challenger had to back to the factory for damp repair when it was found at the second service. It was leaking from the front high window and down both side around the wheel arches. I know this was a very common problem. Swift did fix the issue 2 years later when they introduced the Swift Smart construction.
Good find, we now need a better solution for the window seal to stop water ingress
Another great video. I am looking at one for sale with damp like this. Is it okay to just repair the seal ? seems like you changed the whole panel ? is there a video on how this is done, and costs involved for parts, and the potential labour or time taken to repair the damp panel ?
Hi there I have 2011 sterling and I have found bubbles further across and higher up towards the corner of van does that mean the window as been leaking or do you think could be awning rail or even front window rail that runs across the top of front windows also if I find leak will it dry out or will I need to replace bourd
How much for the caravan sold as seen buying for export
Sold for £11495 once repaired. Looks like new now and resealed.
I really do not understand the check for damp service narative. Why is it that a service does not include the close examination of roof and window joints and seals for any deteriouration before any water ingress can take place, What on earth is the point of finding damp after it has occurd. Surley its not rocket science to check and repair any doubtful sealant or seals before any damage or problems arrise. On the subject of servicing I have wittnesed wheels and brake drums being removed for no valid reason, there is an inspction hole for the purpose of checking brake linning condition. Removal of brake drums on an annual service is not recommended by AL-KO.
Hello David. Are you a caravanner? I'm not quite sure whether you're asking questions or just venting your frustration and wanting to make a point? If you watch my videos on damp you'll see I advocate looking visually at a van to see if there are any gaps in the sealant but it's not always possible to see the gaps or cracks upon a quick visual inspection and I would expect the engineer to always take a quick look when doing a service. (whether this happens or not is up to them) As part of any caravan service a none invasive or invasive damp check is essential to check for the beginnings of water getting into the van before it becomes a major problem. As for your comments on brakes... from my own experience selling caravans for 10 years and having them all serviced I've found many cracked shoes or even linings lying at the bottom of the drums and I don't think a tiny hole would show me cracks in the top surface of the shoes. Are you saying you'd like a service to be less thorough or more thorough? I know which I'd prefer from a safety perspective!
@@CaravanSource Sorry of what I said came accross in the wrong way. I was just trying say that the service appears to be focused on the wrong things, For example I have never seen a service where a pair of steps was used to check for any roof problems such as cracks in the plastic or sealant comeing out of joints, or as you have stated blocked water channels , Surely this could save a lot of future problems and expence, How long would it take to look, probably 15 minuets or less. I have owned caravans in the past and will shortly be a returning caravaner. Its going to be a top priority to go over all of the exteriour joints and roof plastic with a fine tooth comb at least once a year. Sorry for the rant but I do feel that a lot of caravan problems regarding water ingress could be avoided.
@@daviddavis6231 if all caravanners took this approach that'd be great. But sadly they don't. And I see many many very damp neglected caravans many more than are in my videos but it's as much due to ignorance than neglect to be fair. Which is why I make my videos to help people know what to look for and how to prolong the life of their vans.
The price of new vans this is very bad caravaning is to problematic
The problem is people not getting vans serviced. If the previous owners had had the van serviced every year this would have been picked up before it became visible. Sealant fails whether that's in showers, roofs, houses, guttering, caravans, boats... it fails, have to keep it in check... that's what a service is for!
@CaravanSource not always, I have a sterling eccles. It was sold to me from a dealer and after 11 months I had water ingress coming in from the awning rail on both sides. You can't check the sealant under the awning rails without removing it and reveal aged and shrivelled sealant. Who would do that in a service. The problem is poor design which leaves sealant as the main line of defence. Built cheaply and the manufacturers relying on the problems appearing after the warranty is no longer in force most of the time or the caravan has been sold on to other owners.
I was lucky, then problem appeared before my 1 year resale warranty was up, otherwise it would have been me paying north of £2k. The primary source of leaks is poor design. I don't have to have my car or campervan re-sealed yearly ? Don't victim blame.