Visit our Popular Forums

art · 06-05-2011, 03:46 PM

I have moisture under the plastic in my 2004 classic in the rear storage compartment.I havent found a leak . has anyone else seen this . I like the idea of the plastic to keep the rug clean but if condensation is the issue its gone. thanks

Dwight · 06-05-2011, 03:54 PM

Are you talking about under the bed or under the bumper storage area's?

pmclemore · 06-05-2011, 04:10 PM

Moisture between the carpet and plastic in a storage area is not good...I'd suspect a leak until that was ruled out.

Good luck.

Pat

ROBERT CROSS · 06-05-2011, 04:30 PM

After reading a bunch of posts about leaks from around the lower belt molding in the back of the trailer, I checked ours and sure enough the carpet was damp.
Noticed a large gap between the plastic bumper cover and belt molding.

Hosed it down, water pooled there...NOT GOOD.

Sealed it two daze ago...seems better, will keep track of it.

art · 06-05-2011, 06:01 PM

can water get in from under the belt ? Im sure the top is sealed.Should I pull the bumper off? or just seal the bottom of the rail ? there was never any sealer there before.

ROBERT CROSS · 06-06-2011, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by art

can water get in from under the belt ? Im sure the top is sealed.Should I pull the bumper off? or just seal the bottom of the rail ? there was never any sealer there before.

This is what prompted me to investigate the area....

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f456...eam-75993.html

When I realized how the water pooled there, and the fact that the floor was just below the belt trim it just made sense to start there. The belt moulding was sealed along the top edge (still in good shape). But the gap between bumper cover and molding was over 1/2" in some areas.

Didn't remove the bumper, cleaned the gap with long bristle brush, wiped it clean with mineral spirits, blew it out with compressed air and sealed with polyurethane sealant .

mnmhays · 06-06-2011, 06:32 AM

This is an area of concern for me as well while I am replacing rotted subfloor in the rear of my Argosy. I pulled out the aluminum strip that sits atop the frame, which the hinge to the storage cover is riveted to. This piece is very corroded and has likely been a leak point for quite some time. I fabricated a new piece and while installing it, I am sealing every possible point owater intrusion.

Bluto · 06-06-2011, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

This is what prompted me to investigate the area....

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f456...eam-75993.html

When I realized how the water pooled there, and the fact that the floor was just below the belt trim it just made sense to start there. The belt moulding was sealed along the top edge (still in good shape). But the gap between bumper cover and molding was over 1/2" in some areas.

Didn't remove the bumper, cleaned the gap with long bristle brush, wiped it clean with mineral spirits, blew it out with compressed air and sealed with polyurethane sealant .

I did the same sealing of my trailer as you did, just as a preventive measure.

Also noticed while at JC last year while on the tour, that the Classic molded top piece that covers the bumper and extends under the belt molding has a built in lip that should prevent water intrusion in that area anyway. The lip looks to be about a half inch high and runs the entire width of the molded fiberglass cover.
Since you say the gap on your trailer was over 1/2" it was a good thing you sealed that area.

ROBERT CROSS · 06-06-2011, 01:51 PM

The more I read on other threads the more worried I got....

Broke down this morning, got the carpet knife and removed the plastic covering, carpet and padding from the "trunk",WET

Got a heat lamp and fan drying things out, hard to see from the pic's but it is really soaked!! Especially where the largest gap was on the belt moulding. I could wring the water out of the padding.
My advice..don't put it off, remove that plastic, cut out the carpet, (pull out 'bout 100 stupid staples) and let it dry thoroughly. Gonn'a put the carpet back in, it just won't be fastened down.

ROBERT CROSS · 06-07-2011, 05:03 AM

The "trunk" has been drying out now for about 20hrs, helped along by a small 12v defroster fan and heat lamp. Making good progress.

It's raining pretty good this morning, so I guess I'll use Mother Nature to check my sealing Job.

Been contemplating painting the newly exposed plywood with a good sealant, polyurethane or epoxy paint.... BUT, There is no water leaking on the surface it's all wicking in from the exposed end behind the belt moulding.
Seems to me, sealing the surface would only exasperate the problem of drying things out should the problem come back.

Any thoughts???

idmtman · 06-07-2011, 06:50 AM

This is a common problem with AS. Mine had the same issue. I started the process of repairing the problem by removal of the belt and sealing the joint with TremPro above the bumper and replacing the trim. Caulked with Parbond above the trim. Still had a leak. Noticed that one of the taillights had a leak from lack of caulking; sealed that with Parbond. Decided to caulk the bottom of the trim with Parbond. Still wet carpet (BTW, I dried out with a heater every time I noticed the wet carpet). Decided to check all joints on rear of trailer, including marker lights, and caulked any areas needing new caulk (with Parbond). Still seemed to leak. Finally, decided to remove the caulking above the rear window and replaced with TremPro (two days ago). Been through two thunderstorms since. Maybe...

I probably should remove the carpet, but I've been able to dry it and will continue to dry. I am hopeful I got the leak this time but it has been an exasperating experience.

Good luck. Lots help here on the forums:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f456...ybe-56674.html

ROBERT CROSS · 06-07-2011, 07:08 AM

[QUOTE=idmtman;1002446]
I probably should remove the carpet, but I've been able to dry it and will continue to dry. I am hopeful I got the leak this time but it has been an exasperating experience.

I really encourage the carpet removal...I couldn't believe how wet the floor was especially right behind the major gap in the belt molding. They have a cheep pad under the carpet that was soaked.
Plus now I can just unload, pull the carpet and re-check.

After a few seasons and with closer overall inspections one of my first tasks was replacing all outside fasteners with stainless and re-sealing all sloppy seams.

Why I didn't think about the trunk?.....oops!!!

TankerIP · 06-07-2011, 08:28 AM

The idea of covering carpet with plastic is the worst idea ever. The delivering dealer should strip it all out, because any moisture underneath will only lead to mold, fungus and wood destruction. The plastic hid years of leak and destruction in my trailer that led to having to have the floor replaced at considerable expense.

If you suspect the rear seal is broken, you need to remove the rub rail molding, caulk underneath and then reapply the molding.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f456...ybe-56674.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f456...ter-59831.html

Airslide · 06-07-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

The more I read on other threads the more worried I got....

Broke down this morning, got the carpet knife and removed the plastic covering, carpet and padding from the "trunk",WET

Got a heat lamp and fan drying things out, hard to see from the pic's but it is really soaked!! Especially where the largest gap was on the belt moulding. I could wring the water out of the padding.
My advice..don't put it off, remove that plastic, cut out the carpet, (pull out 'bout 100 stupid staples) and let it dry thoroughly. Gonn'a put the carpet back in, it just won't be fastened down.

Hi Robert,

My 2001 looks just like yours. I removed the plastic and pulled up the carpet as well. The wood was discolored and beginning to show signs of weakness in a few areas. I decided to soak the floor with an two part epoxy resin to seal it in the even it leaks again. I also removed the rubrail and resealed it since I couldnt find any other area it might be coming in at. The trailer pretty much lives in a shelter but the design of the bumper cover allows all the water when washing to puddle. I wonder if there is some way to drill a relief drain so the water pours into the lower bumper tray rather than the spill up over the body seam and into the coach?

Vinnie

ROBERT CROSS · 06-07-2011, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airslide

Hi Robert,

My 2001 looks just like yours. I removed the plastic and pulled up the carpet as well. The wood was discolored and beginning to show signs of weakness in a few areas. I decided to soak the floor with an two part epoxy resin to seal it in the even it leaks again. I also removed the rubrail and resealed it since I couldnt find any other area it might be coming in at. The trailer pretty much lives in a shelter but the design of the bumper cover allows all the water when washing to puddle. I wonder if there is some way to drill a relief drain so the water pours into the lower bumper tray rather than the spill up over the body seam and into the coach?

Vinnie

Vinnie,

We tink alike...I was contemplating the same drain idea.

It's been raining hard all morning..there is a nice puddle right where the floor was the wettest inside, at the right side seam on the bumper cover.

The floor is not quite dry yet, but no evidence of leak either.
If all the re-sealing holds up I may just epoxy also, holding off for now.

Maybe I'll go out and drill that small hole now.

ROBERT CROSS · 06-07-2011, 11:09 AM

Vinnie,

Drill buddy drill.

Just put two 7/32" holes 'bout 3/8" back from the molding, right on the bumper cover seam. Water drains straight to the ground. The seam is right above the slides on our trailer, don't even get into the pull out.

Airslide · 06-07-2011, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Vinnie,

Drill buddy drill.

Just put two 7/32" holes 'bout 3/8" back from the molding, right on the bumper cover seam. Water drains straight to the ground. The seam is right above the slides on our trailer, don't even get into the pull out.

Cool! can you take a picture? Im a visual learner..

ROBERT CROSS · 06-07-2011, 02:51 PM

Same spot on both seams....

It's been drying now since 'bout 1pm yesterday....You can see how much better it looks already. Guess the fancy drying rig is doing ok, still a little damp though.

BigAl · 06-07-2011, 04:45 PM

My trailer is a 94 but may be similar to yours. I had a leak around the licence plate mount. It is a black plastic unit that is above the storage door. I sealed around it with acryl r and have had no moisture in two seasons.
Just goes to show, you have to look everywhere.
Al

SilverCottage · 06-07-2011, 04:52 PM

I lifted the vinyl floor at the back of my 2007 under the dining table and it was damp across nearly the entire width of the trailer. I have the wood drying now and it still feels firm but is discolored.

It makes you sick that for the price of these units there is a huge gap where the water can run in after sitting on the rear bumper storage area.