Banana wraps layered outside of sidewall...normal?

[Emerson75]

Hello all,

I've just started to address some early rear end separation and water leak concerns. The first thing I've done so far is pull the rub rail around the rear of the trailer. What I discovered is that the banana wraps are mounted on the outside of the side wall panels. Is this normal? After some searching I found one other person who mentioned having the same issue on his AS. It would seem odd to have been designed intentionally that way. Is is possible or recommended or worth while to reverse this design, by placing the banana wraps under the side walls? I was not planning to take the banana wraps off when removing the belly pan, if possible. If this layering issue is normal for the banana wraps to be mounted on top of the side walls, is it typical to just apply a healthy bead of vulkem to the banana wrap seam underneath of the rub rail (along with sealing the top of the rub rail) to prevent the banana wraps from catching water and allowing it to seep into the belly pan?

Between the rear trunk/bumper design and the banana wrap/sidewall layering, it seems like water leakage was almost invited, kind of frustrating.

Thanks,
Eric

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Emerson77

Hello all,

I've just started to address some early rear end separation and water leak concerns. The first thing I've done so far is pull the rub rail around the rear of the trailer. What I discovered is that the banana wraps are mounted on the outside of the side wall panels. Is this normal? After some searching I found one other person who mentioned having the same issue on his AS. It would seem odd to have been designed intentionally that way. Is is possible or recommended or worth while to reverse this design, by placing the banana wraps under the side walls? I was not planning to take the banana wraps off when removing the belly pan, if possible. If this layering issue is normal for the banana wraps to be mounted on top of the side walls, is it typical to just apply a healthy bead of vulkem to the banana wrap seam underneath of the rub rail (along with sealing the top of the rub rail) to prevent the banana wraps from catching water and allowing it to seep into the belly pan?

Between the rear trunk/bumper design and the banana wrap/sidewall layering, it seems like water leakage was almost invited, kind of frustrating.

Thanks,
Eric

Eric.

That construction method is normal.

Any water that might leak into the underbelly because of that construction, causes "zero" damage or problems, since it simply runs out the underbelly.

But, if you wish, you can seal the top side of the "rub rail" molding, which would eliminate the possible leak, and make you feel better, too.

Andy

[ticki2]

From reports by others , and what I have seen , it was done both ways , even in the same years , and sometimes even on the same trailer . Guess it was up to the worker-of -the-day , or maybe which direction they ran the production line that day , like odd or even days , who knows .

[barts]

Remember, you want lots of circulation of air in the belly pan. There's no way of keeping water out, esp. if you trailer in the rain, and a moist environment isn't good for either the wood floor or the steel frame.

- Bart

[adwriter73]

I agree. This was a poor manufacturing decision. It turns this thing into a cup.

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by adwriter73

I agree. This was a poor manufacturing decision. It turns this thing into a cup.

That's what I thought, at first. However, putting the banana wrap under the shell/skin would make for a maintenance issue if you needed to work on the banana wrap or the outriggers.

Sealing the top of the trim band is a good solution. In all my trailers the shell comes down far enough that it covers the floor plywood, so it stays reasonably dry, even as water runs into the belly pan. Water in the belly pan is not a big deal, as long as you don't try to seal it tight. The original design allows for good drainage and altough this looks "wrong" at first, it makes sense, too. Remember, if you start to seal things up, you better be 100% sure that there can't be a leak, or you're just creating a trap and big problem. It's better to leak a little and drain, than to leak extremely little and drain not at all.

Zep

[adwriter73]

Originally Posted by Zeppelinium

That's what I thought, at first. However, putting the banana wrap under the shell/skin would make for a maintenance issue if you needed to work on the banana wrap or the outriggers.

Sealing the top of the trim band is a good solution. In all my trailers the shell comes down far enough that it covers the floor plywood, so it stays reasonably dry, even as water runs into the belly pan. Water in the belly pan is not a big deal, as long as you don't try to seal it tight. The original design allows for good drainage and altough this looks "wrong" at first, it makes sense, too. Remember, if you start to seal things up, you better be 100% sure that there can't be a leak, or you're just creating a trap and big problem. It's better to leak a little and drain, than to leak extremely little and drain not at all.

Zep

It seems there should be a better drain system though. Almost like foundation vents on a pier and beam house.