Elddis damp problem
I have always had sympathy with owners who have significant damp problems either in motorhomes or caravans.
Unfortunately I now join this unhappy growing band of people.
Majestic 275, not quite 2 years old in for its 2nd habitation check. I knew I had a water leak from the washroom MPK rooflight, so they were prepared for that, not! Long story short, got it back with damp readings of up to 55 around nearside front window, locker below it, wall near nearside wheel arch and in areas on floor in offside front corner, nearside front corner, all nearside floor to rear corner and washroom floor. Plus up to 40 in washroom ceiling around rooflight.
Marquis want Elddis to take it back to factory for repair, Elddis, so far say no, Marquis problem. Warranty claim not yet approved.
My point is that a vehicle that had zero damp at 1st service now has all the above at 2nd service. It has still only covered 3370 miles. This suggests to me that the construction methods used are not up to the pounding the vehicle gets on British roads, or, their workmanship is very shoddy. Adhesive processes are great IF the cleanliness, adhesive quantity, in the right place criteria are followed. This requires skilled operators in non automated operations.
I know, light weight and robustness don't sit together well, so longevity relies on process control. Is there any? I will post a similar statement on Elddis owners Facebook page in the hope that somebody from Elddis has the courage to comment.
Sorry its a bit long but needed to get it off my chest.
Angry, John E
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John, so sorry to hear this...
.Eldiss Explorer group bought by Hymer a while back and im sure there will be a Hymer influence as things move forward, but these things take time...
just checking out Hymer's PUAL bodywork system and then seeing how many others 'dont do it' will make it apparent why some brands are the vehicle of choice for european long termers....many 20+ yr old vans still doing terrific service...
no microwaves or Motorhome Wifi, but a robust, made to last leak free unit where real investment has been placed where it matters.
i wish you the best of luck moving forward and that the dealer gets the nod to sort things out.
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My Marquis had a damp floor that had to be replaced at three years old. I had the opportunity to buy my dream van, a Carthago, last year. The difference in build quality is noticeable.
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Our Majestic Motorhome is 6 years old and during the heavy rains in May we noticed a leak from the middle skylight. It was coming from one side and dripping onto the concertina blind.
We did a temporary repair (covered the whole skylight with double polythene and taped it with Gorilla Tape) as it was due a hab service.
Had that done last week and they identified a crack in the frame and added some sealant saying that could last for 6 months. It didn’t last 6 weeks as we checked it after the heave rain this week and it was leaking again.
Replacement frame on order and we spent this afternoon covering it again.
I was told that Elddis used pure quality sealant and it didn’t flex enough with the van movement, hence the crack and faulty sealant.
Luckily we noticed it in time and the damp check showed normal levels in all areas so fingers crossed we can get it fixed this time.
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John you have my sympathy having had damp in our Bailey MH 3 times. All repaired under warranty thankfully.
There were a significant number of the early Baileys that suffered repeated damp. It was mainly around and behind the rear wheel arches.
I know of a few of the owners who were so fed up with having to get them repaired they rejected the vehicle in the end. I believe you have up to 6 years in England to do so.
I hope you manage to get satisfaction as it can be very disheartening to have to keep fighting for your rights.
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I thank everyone for their input and sympathy regarding damp.
I expect to get it repaired in due course, but looking out the window just now and, as my son says, its raining in biblical proportions.
Damp won't get less, so the longer it takes the worse it will be. Having said that, by temporary additions to mastic, I appear to have stopped the washroom roof light leaking.
Elddis have responded with a reduced version of Marquis estimate, and parts have been ordered, with expected delivery to Elddis on 14/08.
Marquis to do repair, wherever they can fit it in soonest.
Watch this space.
Still unhappy, John E
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Hi all
I can see the trail here is a little cold but I too have just joined the elddis damp issue team
We have a 194 motorhome. 2020.
really nice unit to be fair and had it 1 year. Just had 3rd hab check. Nothing to report last year.
Last week, readings of 30 in rear corner. 30 in front of shower but we have never used it.
The main door has started to twist and doesn't close properly in top corner. No accidents or forced entry I add.
Asked hab guy if he sees this much, the reply was friendly as to not worry me, but as an engineer I was used to sorting warranty issues out. Hab guy said loads of the Solid construction are giving problems. He said good luck as heard Elddis are not that welcoming to warranty issues.
Giving them the benefit of the doubt I mailed Elddis giving all details and asked what to do.
I was given a list of 4 APPROVED repairers to call. All 4 wanted nothing to do with it as I had not purchased it from them. IBought it used at 12 months old. I asked the last one, a huge player in the market and was told not a day goes by without a call like mine over damp on Solid construction units. So many they have to turn the work away. Their manager had to go to Elddis over whether he wanted to sell them anymore.
I have a funny feeling now I may have fallen for the slick video about Solid etc.
I Called Elddis today and spoke to a nice young lady (not her fault) who informed me it was my responsibility to travel whatever mileage may be to get the work done, I said nobody wants to take it on and was told it's because of backlog, COVID, parts, and suppliers have to prioritise the customers who bought from them first.
So if you buy a used Elddis as we have, you get pushed away as there is a backlog and you didn't buy from the dealer they advise to repair it.
As an engineer I could repair it myself, strange really I buy a SOLID construction and get told I cannot do any repairs so I have to leave it to get wetter for however long it will take to get some results.
Solid by the way means Strong. Light DRY !!
Now to be fair problems do occur but a few hours on sites as this have shown to me this is not a isolated incident and the calls I made today show they have a real problem here.?
I asked for a contact at Elddis to speak to a manager and was refused one. I have to put everything through the customer services, managers will not take calls, no escalation proceeded.!!
I will follow up on this as I get more Approved repairers to call. Who will say no to me?
I will also speak with trading standards.
Beware all, in this crazy time of rapidly escalating motorhome madness, costs have spiralled and made cheaper units seem bargains, or are they?.
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It’s unbelievable in 2023 that this shoddy type of manufacturing is still going on. Caravans and MHs have been plagued with damp for decades but the manufacturers seem unable to move on from the production defects of 20 and more years ago.
Hope you get it sorted, but it will forever sap your confidence in the brand.
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I have exactly the same issue as Tad beer.
Our Elldis caravan is barely 5 years old and been diagnosed with severe damp issues. The dealer we bought it from put in a warranty claim which was accepted. After months of delay the spare parts arrived but our dealer says they can't even book in the repair - there is a waiting list! They suggested trying to find someone else. No one else is interested!! Elldis say if someone else does it the claim has to be started again and the parts returned to them. One of the repairers I contacted said that Elldis often don't fully cover the labour costs so dealers will only do their own.
So we are left with a caravan that may not be fixed until next year. I need to try to get indoor storage or buy a cover AT MY OWN EXPENSE.
How is it possible in this day and age that badly made products are sold and the dealers and manufacturers allowed to make a fool of their customers? Is there no one that can sort this out? Trading Standards? The Caravan and Motorhome Club could have a role in pressurising manufacturers or do they rely too much on advertising revenues?
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So sorry to hear this trail is still running, damp issues should be a thing of the past by now.
unfortunately, it's so easy to be lured in by 'new season' upholstery or the addition of a coffee maker or an outside BBQ point....all things that a customer might expect to make their time in the van more enjoyable.
however, all these things are being added in lieu of getting to grips with the one basic function, keep the elements at bay...which is much harder than adding a bit of coloured plinth.
continental vans 'appear' far more basic (and less appealing?) to uk buyers...often no oven or microwave, etc..but the effort is placed elsewhere, the integrity of the shell.
also, much depends on how good the dealer is along with the manufacturer who should be supporting where necessary.
sounds like Elddis dealers and the company itself are so besieged with issues they've just thrown up their hands to poor customers.
for some it's going to take (the threat of) legal action to get anywhere.
once sorted, I'd be dumping the van and looking for something with a watertight reputation.
good luck to all...
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You've only got to look at the caravans the travelling community live in...Fendt, Hobby etc....
then look at the motorhomes the snowbirds take to Spain every winter....Hymer, Carthago, N+B etc
theres a common denominator here....
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SOLID is, of course, an acronym for 'Soggy Or Lets In Damp'
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