Titsup

[Martinez]

        removed my rear wheels to find horror story. It’s all gone titsup I’m afraid. Chassis cracked both sides, I can patch it but is this an issue with these vans ? Or is it that mine was used for Demolition Derby ?

[Trevor]

Ouch! I the last 7 years on here I don't remember anyone ever having that problem before

[Martinez]

    Maybe it’s cos I’ve got an extra 3 foot stuck on the back ?
It’s not the only bad news, found more corrosion either end of the rear crossmember. I also found tons of dirt inside it. And to top it all off, this was the sight under the n/s wheel arch !
Didn’t notice any issues when I drove it and it’s not obviously rubbing, so is it fitting Carlos Fandango wheels or flat tyre or rear axle knackered ?

[Art b]

Maybe it’s cos I’ve got an extra 3 foot stuck on the back ?
It’s not the only bad news, found more corrosion either end of the rear crossmember. I also found tons of dirt inside it. And to top it all off, this was the sight under the n/s wheel arch !
Didn’t notice any issues when I drove it and it’s not obviously rubbing, so is it fitting Carlos Fandango wheels or flat tyre or rear axle knackered ?

Can you weld..?

[Martinez]

Does the pope s**t in the woods ?

[Martinez]

Here’s a cleaned up view of the damage. 2 cracks can be seen but the one continues round to the other side. I’ve jacked the van up to take the strain off the cracks and I’ll start by welding them first, then a plate on the front 6 inches long to improve the strength. Big problem will be getting to the rear part as it just above the subframe for the axle. 
Then I’ll have to do the same the other side. Bugger !

[Martinez]

And the probable reason for the cracks

[Art b]

And the probable reason for the cracks

Why do they not update the chassis..?

[Martinez]

And the probable reason for the cracks

Why do they not update the chassis..?

Well, maybe they do now but back in 2001 this was the norm. According to Nu Venture their motorhomes do not exceed the specification of the donor vehicle. So tyre pressures etc remain standard. I agree with your questioning of the design, but the cracks may have been a result of either corrosion or accident damage, or both. 
No one else seems to have seen this before that I’ve heard, so possibly something to check if buying a used Nu Venture on a Berlingo chassis. 
The new models use the Expert as a donor so they’re bigger too, but I’m not paying out 30K !
Guess it’s another day crawling under the van for me. Enjoy the sunshine everyone 

[Art b]

And the probable reason for the cracks

Why do they not update the chassis..?

Well, maybe they do now but back in 2001 this was the norm. According to Nu Venture their motorhomes do not exceed the specification of the donor vehicle. So tyre pressures etc remain standard. I agree with your questioning of the design, but the cracks may have been a result of either corrosion or accident damage, or both. 
No one else seems to have seen this before that I’ve heard, so possibly something to check if buying a used Nu Venture on a Berlingo chassis. 
The new models use the Expert as a donor so they’re bigger too, but I’m not paying out 30K !
Guess it’s another day crawling under the van for me. Enjoy the sunshine everyone 

Keep up the good work...