SMART construction for MH
We`re thinking of changing our current MH for a new one.Has anyone experienced any problems with the relatively new SMART ( timberless ) construction method being used by manufacturers ?. We`ve been lucky in as much as we`ve had no damp issues with our current MH, unlike some !. Does the new construction method improve or detract from the longevity of MHs ?.
Comments
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The Eriba POP-TOPS are supposed to be
timber free are they not ??. OK, I know they are not
Motor homes but the structure cannot be too different
Seem to recall reading in some Caravanning mag
or other that a 30 year old Eriba sold for 5 Grand
So somebody thinks wood free is a good thing !!
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Many European (Hymer for example) use timberless construction for MHs and 'vans.
The couple of UK manufacturers that are now using similar systems have had odd problems but no great surge of complaints!
Surprised the owners on here haven't commented...perhaps because they are happy with their 'vans/MHs?
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Thanks for the replies guys.
Working on the basis that any move away from timber in the construction of leisure vehicles must be a move in the right direction I think we`ll probably go ahead and change our MH.. Technology and modern materials must be the future,
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John DW, you may be doing wood a disservice. Your experience so far proves that wood construction does not necessarily result in a damp van. The reason my three German motorhomes have not suffered from damp is that they were designed and built not to let water in and if, by some error, water did get in, to stop it spreading.
Hymers have used bonded manufacturing for many years which restricts, some say eliminates, water ingress. Hymers also use 'PUAL' insulation which I undestand is a polyurethane [closed cell] and thus does not readily absorb water. Hence, in the unlikely event damp gets in, it cannot spread.
Elddis's SOLID approach is "We stop water getting in." It uses a bonded approach. SWIFT have replaced the wooden frames with polyurethane which limits the spread of water. Not sure what Swift put between the frames.
By all means choose a vehicle which doesn't use wooden construction but also check out design and build and insulation used. Download the current Hymer brochure and check it against Elldis and Swift to see the differences. Other manufacturers use a similar approach to Hymer but all are at the premium end of the market. Or nip to a Hymer dealer.
Chances of a damp Elddis and Swift are now much less if the quality of build is good. And Hymers are not perfect!
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John DW, you may be doing wood a disservice. Your experience so far proves that wood construction does not necessarily result in a damp van. The reason my three German motorhomes have not suffered from damp is that they were designed and built not to let water in and if, by some error, water did get in, to stop it spreading.
Hymers have used bonded manufacturing for many years which restricts, some say eliminates, water ingress. Hymers also use 'PUAL' insulation which I undestand is a polyurethane [closed cell] and thus does not readily absorb water. Hence, in the unlikely event damp gets in, it cannot spread.
Elddis's SOLID approach is "We stop water getting in." It uses a bonded approach. SWIFT have replaced the wooden frames with polyurethane which limits the spread of water. Not sure what Swift put between the frames.
By all means choose a vehicle which doesn't use wooden construction but also check out design and build and insulation used. Download the current Hymer brochure and check it against Elldis and Swift to see the differences. Other manufacturers use a similar approach to Hymer but all are at the premium end of the market. Or nip to a Hymer dealer.
Chances of a damp Elddis and Swift are now much less if the quality of build is good. And Hymers are not perfect!
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John DW, you may be doing wood a disservice. Your experience so far proves that wood construction does not necessarily result in a damp van. The reason my three German motorhomes have not suffered from damp is that they were designed and built not to let water in and if, by some error, water did get in, to stop it spreading.
Hymers have used bonded manufacturing for many years which restricts, some say eliminates, water ingress. Hymers also use 'PUAL' insulation which I undestand is a polyurethane [closed cell] and thus does not readily absorb water. Hence, in the unlikely event damp gets in, it cannot spread.
Elddis's SOLID approach is "We stop water getting in." It uses a bonded approach. SWIFT have replaced the wooden frames with polyurethane which limits the spread of water. Not sure what Swift put between the frames.
By all means choose a vehicle which doesn't use wooden construction but also check out design and build and insulation used. Download the current Hymer brochure and check it against Elldis and Swift to see the differences. Other manufacturers use a similar approach to Hymer but all are at the premium end of the market. Or nip to a Hymer dealer.
Chances of a damp Elddis and Swift are now much less if the quality of build is good. And Hymers are not perfect!
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We have a Bailey and sorry to say they have a problem with water ingress, in the motor homes its usually above and round the rear wheel arches. Bailey do know of the problem and dealers are aware, we have had it repaired under warranty with no issues getting it done. This is our first M/H after 34 years of caravans which we never had a water ingress problem with any of them.
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