Motorhome Water Damage

Despite the apparent drought we’re undergoing at the moment, it doesn’t feel like it’s stopped raining for a long time! Of course, a British camping holiday, whether you’re under canvas, in a motorhome or in a campervan, wouldn’t be complete without a spot of rain, but when the rain comes down hard it is possible that your motorhome might be damaged. So what are the main risks and how can you ensure they don’t affect you?

Leather Damages

One of the most common problems with heavy rainfall is damage to leather (or faux-leather) upholstery. Water that’s come in through an open door or skylight can stain leather seats or, worse still, get in to the fibers causing cracks. If this happens to you, it’s worth treating your seats with a product like Leatherique which will replenish some of the oils in the leather and hopefully restore it.

Electrical Damage

If rainwater gets under the bonnet or into a dashboard then you need to be very careful; water and motorhome batteries do not mix. If possible, leave doors and windows open and let some air dry and areas that might have been damaged and certainly avoid switching on any utilities which you think have been affected. Water should evaporate quickly so if needs be, go and find somewhere dry to park and let things air.

Rust and Bodywork

Older campervans or motorhomes with bodies that have been modified might not be protected against rust so you need to treat any areas that you think might be affected as soon as possible. If you think your motorhome is rusting away ahead of its time then it might be time to check out your motorhome insurance policy or speak to your manufacture – rust can severely damage motorhomes so treat it as soon as you can.

Rain isn’t just a nuisance, it can be a real danger so don’t underestimate the problems if you’re not careful. Most motorhomes should be watertight if you leave everything firmly closed so don’t take any chances.