Moisture meters False readings

Hi everyone, I’m sure this has been covered over the years on different post’s but I just have a few bits and pieces I’d like advice on. We sold our 93 Hymer, 2 years ago with the intension of saving up and buying a newer van then unfortunately for everyone covid hit. We said if we saved up to around 20k that should get us a half decent van and we would have plenty of option’s to choose from trouble is now the 20k vans a couple of years ago are now 30k and above and a lot around the 20k now are rubbish. We have looked at 10 motorhomes over the past month and a half and all are damp some are visual to the eye and some are being picked up on the moisture meter. We have looked at vans from 15k to 35k and everything in between. Here’s the thing the visual damp vans are obviously damp, but I have a moisture meter that’s both non evasive ( scans) and has the two pins at the top, when ever I use both they give completely different readings,can they be taken as accurate, I read cables and other parts of the van can effect the readings, my understanding is that they are designed for timber and block in the construction industry so surely they can’t be taken as gospel for a motorhome and are more of a guide than anything else, we feel we could potentially be missing out on vans as it seems to always give high readings are we missing someting here? Ps we are looking for any layout that doesn’t have the kitchen against the back wall if anyone knows of any decent vans for sale, any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks @eirebus for the reply lovely looking conversion and I have thought of going this route but we have a 16 year old and an 11 year so space of a motorhome is suited better to us for a couple of years more at least

Hi Ally, it’s the extech mo 55 meter it was around 70e as far as I remember so not expensive but read some reviews and it was suppose to be a half decent meter

@Ally, thanks very much for that if 90% of the vans you see have some form of damp that makes me feel a lot better about searching for a van, I was beginning to loose faith on finding one that’s bone dry. I suppose the only thing to do is regular inspections and look after the seals to prevent it for getting any worse. I will have it in storage aswel when not in use so that should help prolong the life of it, thanks for all the help everyone il be sure to jump in with my 2 cents worth on other topics

Ye definitely, sound advice there we just need to buy one and enjoy it

Thanks for that @baguette really unfortunate for you especially as you followed all the correct advice and procedures but still had a problem with damp. I think there’s an element of luck involved too anything bonded has the potential to leak, I definitely feel a lot better and more confident in buying after hearing from you guys, when we do buy a motorhome if I discover damp problems in the future I know it won’t be the end of the world