Bailey Pegasus - Wet Floor edges
This has been a great Caravan since new for the last eight years.
I thought the Alu-Tech's were made to avoid wet/damp!
Surprisingly and massive disappointment together with major concern is the following:-
Only one week after its annual service on the evening of Friday 2nd October 2020 whilst considering replacement tyres I decided to check the details on the original Trailermaxx Spare Tyre located under the Van on a spare wheel carrier. It was almost dark so I was using a torch. I immediately became aware of damp and rotten (soft and spongy) wood adjacent to the wall side rail all the way along the rear nearside quarter. On further examination the rear edge is wet, the rear offside quarter edge is damp and rotten (soft and spongy). The front nearside quarter edge is damp and rotten (soft and spongy). The front offside quarter does not appear so bad. I have not checked the front edge. I have always cared for this Caravan since new.
Bearing in mind my examination has been done rolling around under the van in the dark and not further examined in day light due to the current prevailing inclement weather conditions we are having.
Due to my own practical knowledge I do consider, due to the current flooring condition this progress will have been evident over the last few years. On my analogue Protimeter damp meter after two consecutive dry days the areas highlighted as damp/wet are reading between 25 and 35% wet.
I am also very surprised and in disbelief it has not been identified when walking under the van carrying out inspection work which I assume has clearly been done to identify a tyre inner wall cracking under load together with checking the braking system and undercarriage in general.
Emailed the Dealer and surprisingly no response in the first twenty four hours.
Subject of a ten year Body Shell Warranty. It has been serviced annually.
It appears the whole floor requires replacing.
Clearly a problem with unsealed wood edges.
Any thoughts or comments greatly appreciated. Thank you in anticipation.
Moderator Comment - As the OP is asking for comments I have moved this from the Story Section to Caravans in the discussion area
Comments
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Aldo
I think the Alu-Tech system has been good at keeping damp out of the actual body shall but the floor seems to be the Achilles' heel both in caravans and motorhomes. I have just seen a post on Facebook where a motorhome owner has had to have the shower and toilet stripped out to attend to a damp issue. I suppose the saving grace is the long warranty period. They perhaps need to pay more attention to sealing the floor to the sides to avoid the problem in the first place.
David
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A few years ago I was talking to someone in the caravan trade and we were discussing certain problems in most of the popular makes of caravans, and the Alu-Tech had been around some time, and I remember him saying that the frame was made of hollow aluminium box construction that was prone to forming condensation that ended up soaking into the floor. Maybe worth asking Bailey about this and if they have solved the problems.
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We have a 2010. Bailey Pegasus. When we were looking at these caravans many we saw had issues with the corners being rotten. We also noted that some had broken plastic wheel arch protectors which cause dampness behind. In fact on a service, they noticed one small section of the front corner if our caravan being soft and They rectified this. They also had to take off all of the Lower skirts all around the van to ensure that the seals were good where the aluminium panels meet the timber floor. All the seals had to be remade, sealed and new skirts fitted. I now apply annually, a clear micro porous timber preserver to the underside of the whole floor, paying particular attention to the joint between the floor and wall panels. I use an old floor cleaner spray bottle to apply the solution. Make sure that the 10 year guarantee is current and valid because ours was not!
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Thanks for replies so far. Now 48 hours and heard nothing from the dealer. I sent to two of their known previously used email address's. I have read several other Bailey Damp/Wet Problems on this site and it may be Bailey are wriggling these issues.
It does seem to me a clear manufacturing defect in the the floor ends appear not to be sealed to make impervious to water, also the bottom corner under floor to wall trims are not keeps the water out. Thanks again people. Unfortunately my photographs are too large to upload to this site. Will see if I can capture some with an old compact camera. This my overall sixth Caravan in well over thirty years and the first with a damp /rotten floor edges.
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Hi Kerry, I am thinking of doing just that on my Pegasus floor, can I ask what product you use.
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Just by way of an Update, Two weeks later and still no response to my email I resent it suggesting possibility of pursuing the matter further. Very quick reply stating Original email not received.
Odd Never happened before over last twelve years!
Clearly the dealer would wish to examine the van.
Rather than having to make repeated trips I had said I needed a few weeks to empty itbefore taking it in. Stated Not a Problem. Very Helpful.
Next thing Covid19 Lockdown number 2 looming ring dealers who are closing 4th November 2020.
Said due to Closure and outstanding work over December would contact me in New Year to arrange Caravan to go in to Dealers..
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Sorry for the delay in responding. I use a clear timber preservative from either Wicks, B&Q or a builders merchant. I buy 2.5 ltrs which is just enough to treat the underside of the floor.
Kerry
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Thank you..
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We also own a 2010 Pegasus 624 with damp floor edge in the
nearside front, at the base of the aluminium box section.
The plastic membrane around this seems to have broken up and
is allowing water or condensation to get to the floor.
Can this be replaced as a diy project?
Andy
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I purchased a 2016 Bailey Unicorn Seville last year and when i saw it at the caravan dealers it was raining so i only had a quick glance underneath at the floor. We had an holiday in Norfolk and when we got home i washed the van . Whilst doing so i felt under the caravan at the front nearside and the floor was rotten. I took it back to the dealer and with it being under 30 days since i purchased it they had to take it back. They did offer to repair it but after reading about the Bailey Vans and Floor Rot i was not keeping that van. They have a piece of plastic in all 4 corners of the van a it seems that it holds water and rots the floor
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