Anybody interested in a thread about leaks? I know it's been done before, but I've found a bunch doin' the Monte. Got lots of pictures, etc. For example, the fridge vent has a tiny pinhole in it, causing a leak onto the back of the fridge. I'm guessing it's from an air bubble when the Vulkem was originally applied 32 years ago that finally burst, somehow. Here's a pic.
Here are two around the door. The first is on the backside of the door hinge. The Vulkem finally gave way after all these years. The second is a pop rivet that was placed in the outer skin just above and forward of the door. This rivet holds nothing in place, it's just there. The only thing I can figure is that somehow a hole got poked in the skin and the rivet was placed there to fill the whole. It has leaked for years and has contributed to the rot at the base of the door.
These are great examples. They really demonstrate how little obscure things can cause big problems. Anyone who thinks their vintage Airstream "doesn't leak" is probably just unaware of what's going on. Since most people aren't going to strip their units down to the exterior skin like you have, constant inspection is the next best solution.
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