Pop top ceiling watermark

Submitted: Friday, Apr 24, 2020 at 18:32
ThreadID: 139938 Views:11843 Replies:4 FollowUps:3
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Need some of your wisdom please.
Hi all. We are looking to buy our 1st caravan. Today we looked at a Jayco Flamingo pop top. The van was as expected, clean and tidy and not much wear for a 2007 model. The only issue was that where the ceiling panels meet I can see a faint watermark about 12 inches long and 4 inches wide, either side of the panel joins. What are your thoughts? Is this a big issue or something minor? Thanks you...Chris
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Reply By: Erad - Friday, Apr 24, 2020 at 20:29

Friday, Apr 24, 2020 at 20:29
Either walk away from it, or of you really like the van, point the mark out to the seller and negotiate at least $1000 off the price (you can probably fix the leak for less than that, but allow some margin), Water leaks in caravan roofs are real buggers to fix properly.

While you are at it, check the fabric of the sides and the bed ends for signs of fungus. If the van is folded when it is wet and later is not thoroughly dried out, you will very quickly get fungus buildup and this is hard to remove.
AnswerID: 631173

Follow Up By: Keir & Marg - Saturday, Apr 25, 2020 at 13:52

Saturday, Apr 25, 2020 at 13:52
We bought a 2003 Jayco Penguin many years ago with the same problem. Negotiated a good reduction in price. The important thing to me was that there was no drooping of the ceiling indicating a loss of structural integrity. The older Jaycos had a two piece outer roof with a joining strip running front to back and the sealing under these strips always lets go after a few years, hence the leaks. I put the Penguin straight into the garage at home, removed the plastic strip (Caravansplus have new ones available on-line), and unscrewed and removed the aluminium extrusion. Next thing was to lift the roof panels slightly in the centre and scrape out all the old filler on the underside of the panels and on the timber centre strip. Down to Bunnings for some good roof sealer, coat the centre timber strip with a generous amount of sealant (in my book, if lots is good, then more must be better!), then put the centre aluminium extrusion back in place but just screw it down lightly. Wait for the sealant to go off and then tighten all the screws more firmly. Replace the plastic strip (if it's OK) or with the new one from Caravans plus. The whole job took me about 4 hours. Sold the Penguin a couple of years ago as we upgraded to a 2003 Freedom, but the Penguin never leaked another drop and remains watertight for the new owner. Bugger me, 6 months after we bought the Freedom, the roof started to leak and I had to go through the whole exercise again!!
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Reply By: Mark C9 - Saturday, Apr 25, 2020 at 10:27

Saturday, Apr 25, 2020 at 10:27
Walk, no run away
You can never tell what damage has been sustained in the frame etc
You can try to seal it but there will always be that feeling will it happen again
AnswerID: 631189

Follow Up By: Member - Jim S1 - Saturday, Apr 25, 2020 at 15:37

Saturday, Apr 25, 2020 at 15:37
Mate, if you have any reservations at all, look elsewhere, until you find something that you are perfectly happy with.
I speak from long and not always happy experience.

Cheers
Jim
"Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits." A fisherman.

"No road is long with good company." Traditional

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Reply By: nootsa200873 - Saturday, Apr 25, 2020 at 20:20

Saturday, Apr 25, 2020 at 20:20
Thanks all, we have decided to keep looking for something else. Tomorrow we look at an Expanda..
Chris
AnswerID: 631204

Follow Up By: Member - McLaren3030 - Sunday, Apr 26, 2020 at 06:51

Sunday, Apr 26, 2020 at 06:51
Hi Chris,

If you are looking for a pop top, or a wind up camper trailer, have a look at Goldstream. They make an excellent product in both on & off road variations.

Macca.
Macca.

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Reply By: Batt's - Friday, May 01, 2020 at 13:39

Friday, May 01, 2020 at 13:39
On another note we had a 1986 Jayco pop top 15yrs ago no roof leaks at all but I painted the roof with heat reflecting paint which dries as a membrain. 2 nice coats of it so it offers more heat insulation and helped with sealing the old roof before it had issues.
AnswerID: 631319

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