leaking caravan boot

Andy,
Firsts thing I would do is confirm whether the water is coming from the Boot Opening or elsewhere. ie a front window/seal above the boot, or roof. To do this I would stick a piece of plastic more than the width/height of the boot over the boot with the top of the plastic say 50mm above the boot, stick dowm with Sliver plastic tape ,would stick down both sides as well.

If after rain the boot is still dry its a boot problem, otherise it could be the window seal above the boot leaking (as in our case). would then replace the seal etc.

If its a boot problem, I would purchase a small Camera,/Receiver that sends a signal by radio frequencey they are available in Burgular alarm shops maybe Jaycar. The camera runs on small batteries. Mount the camera in the boot (on Bricks or wooden blocks) to check each top corner and the top of the boot. You can connect the receiver to a TV in the Van or even a VHS/DVD Recorder for more later viewing.

You may need to have a more powerfull light in the boot, would look at some kind of 12volt Fluro.

Your problem can be fixed, it just comes down to the effort.

Peter

Is the boot lid double skinned ? Our Coromal had a crack in the outside double skin - which filled with rain & dripped into boot , solution was to drill small drain hole outside bottom lip ......

Hi Andy we have the same van and we had same problem we found the problem was with the width lights up top of van. The rubber surrounds do not seal addiquately and allow water in, which finds its way down inside the external wall into the boot. I found after loosing a lens on a tree branch when I went to replace the lens the housing let go and whole assembly fell off so replaced with LED lights with new rubber seals and a little smear of silastic no more problems. I now have done this with all because like yourselves our van stored outside and I notice that the seals around the lights do not last so I hope this helps with your problem and to top it off no not all Genesis leak it is another dealer giving you the cold shoulder regards Alan.

Andrew,

You have now joined the rather extensive group of caravan owners who have this problem of water leaks in common. Be assured that the problem you have now is just the tip of the iceberg.

"the dealer said that they all leak and that there was nothing that they could do"

Firstly the statement is partly true. A lot of vans do leak and not just at the boot. The major cause is incompetence on the part of the constructing personnel and total arrogance on the part of the manufacturers.

Secondly there is a lot that they can do.These leaks are most often caused through the lack of sealant in all those areas where a solid surface does not exist. Windows, airconditioners, vents and worst of all the lights. If the manufacturers would only look at their product with some pride in what they sell then they would be making sure that the job was done correctly in the first instance.

What will cause you a bigger headache will be the potential damage which can and does occur when the water gets to the structural timbers and or the internal lining of your pride and joy.

Our van is just 4 years old and is currently in the shop being rebuilt. Water gained entry through defective - read non-existant - sealant around almost every break in the outer skin. Almost 30% of the timber frame has had to be replaced and the cost is going to be ??????.

No warrenty. Not insurable. The dealer is not interested and the manufacturer has so far refused to respond to correspondence. What next?

We have also written to the RVMAA but since this is an organisation set up by the manufacturers and run by a board comprised of manufacturers I doubt if we can expect much support from that front.

In my enquiries I have found that this is a very, very common situation and found in vans across the spectrum with some notable exceptions. Since I cannot name the "bad" brands I will not name the "good" ones.

My advice is: Hound the dealer until your van is TOTALLY resealed. Threaten them with anything short of violence. Used car salespeople are saints.

If you think that water leaks are a minor problem please think again.

Kevin J

Andrew
Your van is not "of Merchantable Quality". I presume that Windsor is in fact a company. As also would be the dealer. That being the case, they are subject to the provisions of the Trade Practices Act.
TRADE PRACTICES ACT 1974 - SECT 74D
Actions in respect of goods of unmerchantable quality
(1) Where:
(a) a corporation, in trade or commerce, supplies goods manufactured by the corporation to another person who acquires the goods for re-supply;
(b) a person (whether or not the person who acquired the goods from the corporation) supplies the goods (otherwise than by way of sale by auction) to a consumer;
(c) the goods are not of merchantable quality; and
(d) the consumer or a person who acquires the goods from, or derives title to the goods through or under, the consumer suffers loss or damage by reason that the goods are not of merchantable quality;
the corporation is liable to compensate the consumer or that other person for the loss or damage and the consumer or that other person may recover the amount of the compensation by action against the corporation in a court of competent jurisdiction.

Tell the dealer you intend to take action against him and the supplier under the TPA. Dealers have hidden behind this defence of "they all leak....." for too long. If you pay good dollars for an item you expect to receive one which is fit for its purpose.
Have a look at the ACCC website
My experience is that they will only play the bluff so far. If they know you are fair dinkum they will usually cave in. Yours is a new van and they have to ensure it is of "merchantable quality".

teege

Often the rubber seal is the culprit
There needs to be a small gap in the rubber on the bottom on each side to allow the water to drain away to theoutside of the van otherwise the water builds up between the lid and its frame and will flow inside the boot especially if the boot is in the angled front part of the van
I speak from experience wiyh a leaking boot for some time until some one advised that there should be a small gap in the rubber

thanks every one for you're very helpful reply's, i will get on to the dealer again due to the van still being under warranty

thanks again kindest regards

andrew