General
Have I got a water leak?
There is moisture trapped between the inner and outer panes of the front windows of my Bailey Senator. When I took the caravan in for service the mechanic said that this was a sign of a water leak around the front windows and then gave me an enormous quote for stripping the windows out and resealing. I can’t understand how water can leak into the caravan body and then get into the windows.
Mr. K. Martin, Leicester
Where can I get a key?
I’ve lost the keys for my wheel clamp. The manufacturer said if I had the key number he could get a replacement, but there is no number on the lock. Knowing your reputation for undoing wheel clamps, could you tell me how?
Len Abbott, Derby
Why did I get a warning light?
I get a warning light on the facia of my VW Golf when I connect up to my Elddis caravan, suggesting that one of the caravan lights isn’t working. They all were, so what’s the problem?
Name not given, by email
What’s wrong with a Hobby?
Having been camping and caravanning for over 40 years, we recently purchased an immaculate three-year-old Hobby caravan. As regular readers of Caravan, we are concerned because this make never warrants a mention, not even in the Buyer’s Guide. Have we made a terrible mistake?
Mr. and Mrs. Crowley, Tenterden, Kent
Should I buy a personal import towcar?
I’ve seen a particularly cheap six-year-old car for sale, but am warned it’s a personal import. Is this a bad thing?
S Major, Beds
Are these annoying sleeping policemen ruining my caravan?
I’ve just had to have the third set of tyres on my caravan in six years. Both the sets that failed had scuff marks on the inside tread shoulder, which is where the tyres punctured. The tyre dealer said that he has seen this problem on cars and it is due to the square ‘lump type’ sleeping policemen the council uses around here. The tyre sides are forced onto the sides of the lumps, where the tyre isn’t designed to take any friction. Does that seem possible to you, and if so can I sue the council for damage to my caravan?
Name and address supplied
All your caravan questions answered for free!
Has your caravan manufacturer gone out of business? Does your caravan floor creak like a haunted house?
Does your car struggle to pull your caravan over a sleeping policemen? Has your gas regulator stopped flowing gas or are there mysterious cracks in your caravan tyre’s sidewall? Get your questions answered here!
Why wouldn't they fix my clutch in France?
The clutch of my Alfa Romeo unexpectedly broke while we were on holiday in France, but the local Alfa dealer refused to do anything about it, despite the fact that our warranty is Europe-wide. Eventually, after lots of phone conversations between France, England and Italy, he agreed to change the
clutch, but with ill grace. Can you shed any light on this. Surely a Europe-wide warranty means just that?
Jerry Whistler, by email
All your caravan questions answered for free!
If you have a caravanning question that needs answering, then put it to our experts! You can send your enquiries to Q&A, Caravan, IPC Media, Leon House, 233 High Street, Croydon, CR9 1HZ or email caravan@ipcmedia.com. Or call our Helpline Fridays between 2 and 4pm on 07500 564836. You pay only your standard charge to a Vodafone mobile phone. Visit the Q&A section to see some of the questions that have been answered.
Fuse problems in caravans
Quite by accident, I touched the fuses in my Lunar and found that the plastic back of one of them was very hot. These are the blade-type fuses, which we used to call Continental fuses, and which are commonly used in cars and caravans. I switched everything off and pulled out the fuse and it looked as if the plastic body had got so hot, it had started to melt. I got a mechanic to check the caravan and he said that there was nothing wrong and just replaced the fuse, which now doesn’t get hot. Have you any idea what caused this problem?
Steve Lynch, Portsmouth
Who is responsible for my towbar problems?
I bought a new Saab three years ago and the dealer had a towbar fitted by a local specialist. I didn't get a caravan until this year and now every time we take the caravan out the fuse which protects the caravan road lights blows. I've been back to the Saab dealer who claims that since he didn't fit the towbar, any responsibility for faults aren't his and the faults may be ones that have happened since the towbar and electrics were fitted. Can you tell me who is responsible?
Adam Sutherland, Manchester
Problem indicators after fitting a towbar
I’ve changed my 2002 Ford Focus three-door hatchback for a 2006 one and the towbar fitter swapped over my towbar. Now I’ve got problems with the indicators. If you turn them on they don’t work, but if you click them on, off, and back on again quickly they do work. Any ideas as to the cause of this problem?
Name and address supplied
Where can I buy a digital stereo for my van?
Somebody broke into my two-year-old Bailey and stole the stereo head unit which, foolishly, I’d left in the caravan. I’m going to fit a replacement and thought it should be a digital one because apparently it gives a much better sound quality, but I can’t find anyone who sells them. With the UK moving over to digital radio, surely somebody must sell digital car stereo-sized units.
Bill Arnold, Nottingham
Caravan jacks - is there another way?
I’m a recently retired mechanical engineer and I like to do my own caravan servicing. The one job I hate is jacking the caravan up when I want to work underneath it. Do you remember those balloon-like things they advertised as an alternative to conventional jacks, and do you think I could use one of those on my caravan?
Albert Lee, by email
Should I buy a flood damaged caravan?
I’m about to buy a four-year-old Elddis which the dealer says was slightly flood damaged, but he has dried it out and it is in perfect condition. He will back that up with a six-month warranty. But I remember Caravan advising to be very cautious about buying flood damaged caravans.
Name and address supplied
Will mud flaps help my caravan stay clean?
If I were to fit some new mud flaps to the back of my Rover 800, would they stop all the muck that sprays up from the road in wet weather from splashing back and getting on the front of my caravan? Or will there be no difference because the distance is too great? You used to see them everywhere, but not so much these days. I wanted to check with you before 'splashing out' on a pair.
Mr Strong, Luton
Tyre problems
A dealer writes: 'You may remember me from last year when you were sorting out the blocked gas regulator issue. But are you aware that the Matador tyres fitted to caravans are all faulty?'
Name and address supplied
