Repairing A Damp Caravan: Part 5 - Caravan Floor, removal and replacement.

[@keefnbailz]

Looking good. Mine is also coming along nicely. And yes .... Gary is the man. I'm lucky to live fairly close to him and took my cascade 2 over to him for him to completely rebuild. Top man.

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Right on! Gary is fantastic. I recommend his services all the time!

[@keefnbailz]

@@TheMcNeillsonWheels me too. Only problem with close contact is he does like to chat! I think I may have to re visit him soon.

[@Itsahardknocklife9690]

We love our beehive and we do all the work she needs. She takes good care of us and we extend the same courtesy x

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Keep repairing! Great for the environment and for your wallet!

[@henk4465]

A lot of respect for your commitment, very nice to watch an now see the progress made! Usually watch the new episode as soon as possible... Keep up the work and positive attitude, we all can use a bit of that 👍

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Thank you for your ongoing support, Henk. It is quite the project, but it is coming together. Hopefully, the next video will be out Wednesday of next week.

[@TravellingK]

Great work! Seriously so interesting to see. I did have a laugh at your last problem 🤣

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Thanks, Karen! I don't think that we'll make our 9th November deadline!

[@andymoss3011]

Thanks for this. We've just acquired a Coachman Genius, whose floor seems to be more water than wood. Battens completely rotted. It was free, but it's going to be a heck of a job. This video has given me some great pointers as to where to start. Cheers

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Awesome! Glad it was helpful! I'm really pleased to hear when we've inspired others to tackle their own caravan's damp problems. I've commented before how sad it is to see so many lovely caravans going for scrap due to a small area of damp. Best of luck with it and do please get back in touch to let us know how you get on. Best wishes! Jamie

[@dwaynekristopher4365]

I know it is kinda randomly asking but do anybody know of a good site to stream newly released tv shows online?

[@louiegraham417]

@Dwayne Kristopher i use flixzone. Just google for it :)

[@melvinatlas8753]

@Louie Graham Definitely, I have been using FlixZone for since april myself :)

[@dwaynekristopher4365]

@Louie Graham thanks, I signed up and it seems to work =) I appreciate it!!

[@ianpaulgamble2002]

Epic , The floor is very strong And rigid , great job and best of luck with the remainder

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Far stronger than when it was first built. They are put together awfully!

[@CaraVanOlogywithBecky]

Great work guys, brilliant series!

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Thanks! Glad to hear that you're enjoying the series!

[@pkf4124]

I had to do similar on mine but the back end. Previous owners had covered up the leak, but failed to notice the years of water leaking from the shower. Cut it all out and found that when they made the caravan Swift screwed that side together wrong. Its over an inch lower. Thats now sorted and amazingly it didnt fall apart while jacking up the entire side into position.

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Blimey! That sounds like quite the job right there! When we were doing ours, we found bits that were done in the factory that made us scratch our heads. Definitely proves that, just because something is brand new, doesn't guarantee that it has been assembled correctly. Glad you got it sorted!

[@pkf4124]

@@TheMcNeillsonWheels there were so many factory bodges, each time i remove something to fix another area i find more. Makes me question why the hell anyone would buy a new one. Once done though it will be better than it was new, structurally anyway.

[@saxchillz2328]

Great work Man really happy you've made these vids. Lays out everything that I need to approach. Massive help Mr, Thanks for taking the time to make the vids.Go You

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Cheers! It was nice to have content to film. I don't publish much content, as I try to keep everything relevant. Not interested in churning out videos for the sake of it. Feel free to ask any questions you have.

[@saxchillz2328]

@@TheMcNeillsonWheels Thankyou Very Much

[@nicolebourcierphotographer]

Fab video. I have same job to do. If any help I noticed my old floor has sticky back plastic on underside and top inside like the insulation and wood floor is wrapped.

[@jasonandreoli4135]

Looking good, I highly recommend you use sika 512 or 522 along with the w4 mastic sealing strip. The EBT sets solid which is why it cracks and comes away while moving. The caravan specific sealant is technically non setting and remains pliant for years.

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Hi Jason, May order the mastic - used Sika Flex to reattach an awning rail previously, which I am having regrets about now, as I need to remove it. May look at a combination of mastic and sika flex to reattach it! Thanks for getting in touch! Jamie

[@stevelutwyche]

Another great vid - like it that you keep the frustrations like cutting the bolt too short and leaving it too long at the end, all of us DIY-ers learn from stuff like this. Looks a real solid, substantial job. I’m adding a Fray Bentos pie to our online delivery tomorrow, Baxter’s Marketing Dept kindly take note!! :-)

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Yeah, there's no point in crying over mistakes after they've happened. Good job that Fray Bentos are never a mistake! Only adding 1 to your order though???

[@stevelutwyche]

@@TheMcNeillsonWheels like all the best drug dealers, start them off on small quantities!! Wife is appalled, I’ve promised it’s a one off ...

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

If you're appalling your wife, then you're doing something right 😂

[@markmulvaney5497]

I have an elldis cyclone year 1999 that belonged to my dad (he passed away in 2016) so my mum give the van to me, my youngest never stepped foot in a caravan before absolutely loves caravaning from 2017 hes now 12 i take him away in it but its not without its problems loads of front floor and windows damp and has suffered from not using it what with this lockdown ect now going to set about the front and middle floor just like you have your video has given me the want to get her back to life and not tow her to a scrap yard, 😊yeah i was so depressed to see it in the state its in but now its coming home to be fixed up and made over.🙂 on the right page now 😀

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Awesome! If you can get your 12-year-old involved in the repair, you'll teach him valuable life-long skills too! Sounds like you have quite the project ahead of you, but I am sure that you will do a great job! Best wishes!

[@markmulvaney5497]

@@TheMcNeillsonWheels oh believe me its all coming out, check out the water leaks new floor rebuild the inside, not sure about my son but its a plan 😆

[@karl9460]

For me, I would always choose to repair if I could rather than buy someone else's van that probably needs repairing. It will be interesting to see what the final bill is, it will also be nice if you can do a sort of "what we learned to lookout for in the future" video. A sort of "planned maintenance" checklist to check, repair or replace before it gets to be as big a problem.

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Heya, we released a 'How to buy a used a caravan video' not so long ago, which covered a lot of this in detail. Thing is, what might start off as a dry caravan can quickly reveal problems. A small water ingress issue may not be detected on inspection, but will develop over time. Overall the cost of our repair will probably be around £300, I'd estimate, which isn't too bad, I don't think!

[@karl9460]

@@TheMcNeillsonWheels That's excellent isn't it. Shows the benefit of finding a caravan with good windows and fittings ( heater, cooker and so on ) because each one of those can cost more than this.

[@robpovall]

I have to say Jamie, I would have give up long ago.... I guess that's why I'm in a house :-)

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Aw but you'd make a fantastic job of doing one

[@colinrimmer789]

I can see light at the end of the tunnel 👍

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Light at the end of the tunnel or just a MASSIVE hole in the floor 😬😂😃

[@LittleCamperNZ]

Hello Jamie and Stacey from Robert and Nicola Williams in New Zealand. We have a similar channel called "Little CamperNZ" and I recently replaced the rotten floor in our 1970 12ft6inch Lilliput Caravan. I will be also uploading my efforts and will be taking and comparing notes.🙂 If you guys ever come to New Zealand do pop in. I am also from Welsh decent, you probably picked that up from my surname. Well keep up the great blogs and we'll stay in touch. Cheerios.

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Hello Robert & Nicola, I've subscribed to your channel and will take a look at your videos later on. Funnily enough, we had hoped to be travelling to New Zealand around now, however the pandemic put a stop to that, but we will certainly touch base with you guys when we come out and travel becomes easier. Diolch! Jamie

[@jamesdecross1035]

Looking tired… having just spent most of a month, dodging the weather to weld up a worthless first series FIAT Punto (and now attempting an Alfa Romeo 156), I feel your pain. (Italian cars, as if you can't guess, are not renowned for their corrosion resistance). Sometimes, it's better the devil you know. It's gotta be worth it. It makes way for bigger projects, later on. Good luck!

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Thanks and best of luck with your projects too!

[@keiranbingle8460]

Hey Jamie and Stacey, great videos that we have just stumbled on. I suspect our project will go the same way as yours.... Can I ask why you used the Keurion boards at the front? Rather than ply sandwich all over? I assume, they replace the floor in the old toolbox area? Also, have you got a sponsor in the form of Fray Bentos, 😉🤣. Seriously great job so far and so inspiring, can't wait get to the end and see it finished (I can't binge watch.... I have a caravan to fix...).

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Thanks for your comment. We used the keruing boards to put strength back into the structure. Also, it was cheap! The depot had them in the back going begging and we practically stole them at the price we paid! We did approach Fray Bentos for sponsorship, but they weren't interested!

[@richardkarenkenyon8793]

Really enjoying watching how its going, new to your channel. Though can't get on board with the Fray Bentos Jamie 😂

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Welcome to the channel 😀. Fray Bentos doesn't normally feature this much, I promise!

[@karvanznlife9227]

Totally agree about not buying another van u just dont know what ur buying it took me 6 months to ours to where it is and its better the devil u know also due to current conditions and staycations used van prices have went through the roof, great job loved the spanner gettin stuck 😂

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Thanks! Glad to hear that you were glad that you did yours also. Take it easy!

[@karvanznlife9227]

@@TheMcNeillsonWheels cant wait to see the finished product uve done things right i was the same its a can of worms but ripping it out and renewing is a great feeling

[@jacksharratt3835]

He's talented!!

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

My father-in-law has some ace skills. I will forward your compliment to him.

[@twowolves69]

A very professional job. ‘Ere mate, gis a job’ lol.

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Ha ha! It would be a nice way to earn a living but repairing old caravans isn't financially viable. Glad to hear that you're enjoying the channel. Thanks Jamie

[@Carlst17]

I used the ebt+ to reseal our caravan I didn't remove the awning rails as I removed one and it took and hour and a half to clean up a meter length so decided to just go around the edges of the rails, worked perfectly also much easier to purchase then the (proper caravan sealant)

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Yes, removing all the old mastic takes a long while, but I think it's worthwhile. Lots of white spirit helps to loosen it. We'll be using a combination of SikaFlex and mastic to reattach the awning rails to provide the greatest chance of excluding water from the internals of the caravan!

[@kianwaines204]

Brilliant job

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Thanks! It was a pig at times, but worth it in the end.

[@barryclyde8353]

These videos are excellent mate, thing is all the work/expense is it worth it ? i dont think so tbh, we bought a 2 berth 97 swift shuna , excellent condition, changed the lighting /carpets, had it 7 months to see if we liked caravanning , absolutely loved it, sold the shuna for £400 more than we paid, now looking for a nice 4 berth

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

It's a personal choice whether to scrap or repair. For us, the choice to repair offered better value than to replace. I talk about it at the end of one of the episodes 👍

[@titusm9837]

What did you use at minute 9:40? for the underfloor? I have to fix something similar and I was wandering what is suited for caravan underfloor.

[@Itsahardknocklife9690]

Lockdown hairstyles will make for great jokes in years to come x

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

I've still got mine! Not cutting it. I've even been sporting the 'man bun' recently!

[@kianwaines204]

Mine is crying for your help

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Ha ha! I am in no hurry to take on another!

[@SAXONWARLORD1000AD]

who owns all the massive barn type structures ?? , wish i had a place like that to store all my stuff and work on projects

[@leojawsironladyvita126]

I own a Adria Adora 612. Had a tire explosion that took away part of the floor unde the fridge. Fast forward, i am a cirkus performer, i travel a lot. I noticed that the caravan is coming closser to the groun. Started to do some investigations ans realised that the floor broke from the chassis outward. So the walls are descending slowly. Hopefully you can understand what i mean. What is your opinion and how can i stop, repair tgis?

[@jacksharratt3835]

It will be like a new van!! 🤣

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

That's the hope!

[@LLACEM]

Look mate I love your videos and I think you and your partner re a really nice couple and I would be honored to have you as friends but I just don't get it would it not be easier have purchased a second-hand caravan instead of all the stress and hard work to repair the one you have don't get me wrong this is not meant as a criticism of you I just wonder why I enjoy all your videos as I always learn something by them and you excellent go-to attitude always comes across, good luck with the project I will be watching every video. Just an aside has anyone told you I'm sure they have you are a dead ringer for Cat Stephens a pop star from the late 1960s regards Paul, right at the end you answered the question keep up the good work.

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Hi Paul, Thanks for commenting and for your kind words. Glad that your question was answered. You've certainly not been the first to ask, nor will be the last. I'm a silly sod, really. Feel free to ask any questions that you may have. Best wishes, Jamie

[@rogersmith5167]

I have been watching all your hard work but the problem is the fact that the ALKO chassis are not diagonally torsionally strong they allow the body to twist and the first time you put a small amount of pressure on the corner steadies you will be back to square one, I am not a key board expert I speak from experience having owned a Bailey. A 2" x 1" steel tube inside the van bolted through to the chassis and supporting the corner steadies would give it more strength and reduce the body flexing and popping of the sealed joints.

[@so-roadkill]

i think its brill your doing it up too many seen on the scrap pile same as old cars few and far between thats been properly looked after

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Yes, huge shame when they go for scrap. I know nothing lasts forever, but keeping something going is quite special. Thanks for watching!

[@statup2.0]

I think the spanner needs to live there now

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Ha ha! It was close to being abandoned!

[@mikewatson2951]

Hi. Any idea how to repair my Alde 3000 water boiler? It's corroded inside and leaking :(

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

If it's corroded to that extent, then it's likely scrap, unfortunately. However, if you can source a good replacement cylinder, then Gary at ARC Systems can handle the change over process, and will service it for you too. You just need to handle the removal and reinstallation, which isn't overly complicated. Good luck!

[@alfiegallagher1977]

I need your help with my caravan I’ve got a rotten panel in my shower haven’t got a clue how or where to start 😩

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Other than saying to watch the series, there's little else I can do for you, sadly. Though, I do urge you to have a go yourself or enlist the help of a friend who can help you.

[@Jim77463]

@2:45 is Jewson now sponsoring you 😄

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Ha! That would be genius if they were, but sadly not!

[@chrishiggs86]

Hi! Hope you are both doing great 👍 We're in the middle of renovating our first caravan and we have run into some issues. We love your videos and would really apprechiate any help we can get. So to start with we just really want to ask what kind of paint you would recommend to use on the outside (bottom of) the floor to keep damp and other weather related issues reduced? So, the grey-ish paint you use in this video? :) kind regards, Vicki

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Heya, Sorry the late reply - we used shed paint as we had some spare. I suspect any sort of outdoor paint would work!

[@jacksharratt3835]

Is it tea break yet! ☺

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

It's always tea break!

[@TheDjskutz]

What type of screws did you use to screw the walls into the floor?

[@jonnieboy63]

What type of ply are you using Jamie?

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

3mm ply for the wall panels and upper floor and 13mm for the lower floor. Hope this helps.

[@sarahblackburn1]

13mm ply is very heavy compared to the sandwich insulated floor and it will be a lot colder too

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Hello! Check out episode 11. It shows me lifting the front end of the caravan by hand!

[@sarahblackburn1]

@@TheMcNeillsonWheels It's still considerably heavier that a sandwich insulated board and the weight would eat up the payload allowance if the whole floor was done like this Newer caravans have even more insulation ....The 13mm board will do the job, but the caravan will feel a lot colder.

[@pkf4124]

I put 13mm in mine and cant really notice a difference, however the floor feels stiffer where it was replaced.

[@jt3168]

Hi, what product do you use to seal the new plywood? Thanks

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

Garden shed paint 👍

[@jt3168]

Thanks. your videos are a great help 👍

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

@@jt3168 Thanks. Glad you find them useful. 👍

[@thomaspridmore106]

Very good job but I understand what your saying not cost viable

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

If you do the work yourself it's worth doing. Materials came in at around £1k for this and included lots of extras.

[@-marcel]

have you taken into consideration the weight distribution of the caravan now ?

[@craignelson-swiftyenzed7578]

Day 5.: Things have gotta look worse before they get better right?

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

I think I'd have had to have tried hard to have made things worse!