Rusty side seams on Autohomes

Post by **Nickblue** » 13 Jul 2007, 09:32

The model I wanted was an Autohomes Kameo which is a two berth with a high roof. Friends told me to be especially wary as the side seams on the drivers side on the Autohomes usually were very prone to rust because they had an inside water tank. The thought was that the tank was liable to leak or condensation on the tank ran down onto the floor and rusted the body from the inside. This, I was told was not a problem with the Autosleeper models as they had exterior water tanks.

I managed to find a Kameo in excellent original condition, with none of this alleged seam corrosion, but I'm not too keen on onboard water tanks, so I removed it. (See earlier posting - water tanks and TV aerial).

When I finally got the tank out I discovered that the waste pipe from the sink travelled all the way from the sink, did a tight right angle turn and then ran all the way under the tank and through the floor on the opposite side by the rear of the sliding door. Now I don't know why Autohomes in their wisdom designed it this way, as if you have a problem with the waste pipe you cannot get to it to repair or replace it, because the tank cannot be removed without cutting it to pieces as all the furnishings are built over it, trapping it in position.

Why didn't they just drop the waste pipe through the floor on the unit side of the camper? Anyway, that's what I decided to do. When removing the waste pipe I discovered that where the pipe disappeared under the tank , the very tight right angle bend, had, over time, split, allowing waste water to seep from the pipe. With the camper having more weight on the unit side of the van they seem to have a tendency to lean very slightly to that side, which allows the seepage to travel to that side of the van, lodging against the side panel and finding it's way into the seams. That's my theory anyway. I cut the waste pipe just before the split, and cut a fresh hole in the floor, poked the pipe through by a few inches and finished it off with a bit of sealer.

You can of course retain the tank and just re-direct the waste pipe from the sink leaving the remnants the old pipe in situ under the tank. Sealed at both ends with a little sealant.(I don't know if ithe old piece could be pulled through from the old outlet).

Post by **shepster** » 13 Jul 2007, 12:18

Is this a question or simply an observation?

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 13 Jul 2007, 13:56

Seam rust along the camper lower bodyside usually occurs because the fridge produces condensation which runs down the inside of the body and condenses at the lowest seam and soaks into any insulation that may be handy like that dreaded yellow wool, which then eats through the floor / inner sill seam and exits through the body side at the lowest seam (the horizontal one first up from the bottom edge) not usually to do with a leaking water tank. Westy`s have internal water tanks but are not known for rusting due to leaks, it`s the fridge that causes the problems.

Post by **Nickblue** » 13 Jul 2007, 16:10

I suppose it's an observation and a criticism. The tank was in perfect condition with no leaks, but it also did not have a drain point, which I find surprising as it makes the task of removing stale water after a week-end away that more difficult. Having to pump out the remaining water and then to get the last half an inch out with a sponge, all for the lack of a drain plug. Also the fact that the very tight right angled bend on the waste pipe had put a kink in the pipe which over time had split. It just seems to me to be a bit penny pinching to do this when a properly formed plastic elbow in this position may have prevented this from happening. After all these campers cost a small fortune when new.

It was after we came back from a weeks holiday in the camper that I removed the tank and there was obvious signs of leakage around the tight bend in the waste pipe. So I'm just passing on this information, as another possible cause to rust in the seams along with condensation from the fridge.

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 13 Jul 2007, 20:11

It`s all good info Peter. Maybe one of the admin people can add the info to "what to look for" on the Wiki ? Does look to be something to watch / look for when surveying a potential buy of an Autohomes conversion.

Post by **Bowton Lad** » 13 Jul 2007, 21:38

Nickblue wrote: The tank was in perfect condition with no leaks, but it also did not have a drain point, which I find surprising as it makes the task of removing stale water after a week-end away that more difficult. Having to pump out the remaining water and then to get the last half an inch out with a sponge, all for the lack of a drain plug.

Why the fanatical obsession with getting every last drop of water out of the tank after each weekend away? Water doesn't go stale so quickly.

Leaving the tank full to the brim after each trip may be preferable to leaving the tank 1/4 full with 3/4 tank of air. With lots of air in the tank there could be a slight chance of green mould/ black spot mould but water tanks are normally made of opaque black plastic & water pipes are opaque blue plastic to keep out the sunlight which can promote the aforementioned mould.

What about putting some water purification tablets into the water? You should only need to drain the tank at the end of the season & then flush the system through with water + Milton (sterilising fluid for babies bottles) at the start of the next season.

I have posted this assuming that your post is about a FRESH water tank & not a WASTE/GREY water tank. You mention WASTE water pipes frequently in your post & it does get a tad confusing in places.

By 'stale water' do you mean eg: fresh drinking water put into the tank on a Friday & you consider it 'stale' by Sunday evening or stale water = waste/grey water?

Post by **Nickblue** » 13 Jul 2007, 23:38

Bowton Lad

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that fresh water goes stale after a couple of days, only that I like to remove it from the tank before it goes stale as I may not use the van for camping for two or three weeks by which time it is stale and tastes awful. Every camper, including this one, that I have owned over the last thirty years, that had an onboard fresh water tank also had a drain plug, and they have all been white tanks not black. Black is usually used on exterior fresh water tanks as they are exposed to daylight, whereas onboard tanks are stowed in lockers away from daylight. On arriving home I simply pulled the plug, left the plug out to air and dry out the tank and then filled up with fresh water when arriving on site. I liked to drain the fresh water tank when I got home because I never knew when we would be going away in it again. For instance we have not used the van to go camping for the last four weeks. Filling the tank to the brim might be preferable, buy not in my case because I also use it as my daily driver and there would be no point in carrying around loads of water for no purpose, so it is far more convenient IN MY CASE not to have an onboard tank.
The space I have gained from removing the tank has given me a valuable extra storage area.

I did state in my previous postings that the waste water I was referring to was from the sink, and that it was this that was leaking from a split in the waste pipe inside the van.

Post by **Bowton Lad** » 14 Jul 2007, 10:57

Thanks for the info Nickblue.

I'm thinking of fitting an underslung water tank & I will definitely be fitting a drain tap on it. As you say, after 2-3 weeks water in a tank would taste stale. One option is to carry drinking water in portable containers & use the water in the tank for washing/washing up etc.

Post by **timthetrader** » 14 Jul 2007, 16:17

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SYPHON-TUBE-PUMP- ... dZViewItem
Ive just brought one of these as I have a autohomes without a drain plug so when it arrives and i've tested it i will let you know what its like!

Post by **hammy44** » 14 Jul 2007, 19:54

i have an autohomes with built in water tank but would never use it for drinking. always carry a couple of bottles with me and fill them up any where i get a chance.as bowton lad says washing only.

Post by **DentedDevon** » 15 Jul 2007, 08:33

Our Kameo is a mess on the off side below the fridge vent .
Has been badly repaired (bodged!) at some time - will have to investigate this winter.
I think the waste exits on the nearside because there was an option to have an underslung waste tank. It would have to be fitted here because the heater is fitted under the off side.

Post by **Nickblue** » 15 Jul 2007, 13:37

Richard,
In your case that would make sense, but my heater which was fitted by Autohomes is under the near side, making it impossible to fit a waste tank on that side. But there is plenty of space for a waste tank under the off side directly under the sink!

I think that maybe we have different types of heater. Fan assisted types, like Propex can be placed in a cupboard area , but the one in my van is a Riviera which is set in the floor(see photos). It's very efficient and is of the convector type so has no fan, therefore it is not a drain on the leisure battery.

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[/img][IMG:320:240]http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p187 ... ter004.jpg[/img]

Post by **kevtherev** » 15 Jul 2007, 20:39

I cannot for the life of me understand why in this modern day and age campers won't drink their own water from their own water tanks....

With the hygienic maintainable options available. surely carrying one tank is better economy on fuel and space?

Post by **Bowton Lad** » 16 Jul 2007, 10:30

kevtherev wrote:I cannot for the life of me understand why in this modern day and age campers won't drink their own water.......