Rainwater leak

James Schmidt · 04-09-2002, 12:33 PM

I finally found the source of my water leak! When I purchased my trailer used in 1994 I discovered a water leak coming into the living room area at both side windows and running down the wall onto the carpet. The dealer searched unsuccessfully on about 6 different occassions and I and my friends did the same for 7 years.(of course it only leaked when I used it in the rain). I finally found the source-----------Both rubber gaskets on the holding tank vent pipe covers were completely shot and the sealant between the skin and the pipes was gone. These gaskets are availabe for about $9 each and the fix is easy. This is being passed along in case you are having the same problem finding and elusive leak.

Inland RV Center, In · 04-10-2002, 09:59 AM

Jim. We have had that gasket on sale on our web site for $5.99 for sometime. We also toss in a piece of fiberglass screening to cover the pipe, at no charge. That gasket lasts about 4-5 years. Andy

James Schmidt · 04-11-2002, 05:30 AM

Andy, I ordered mine from you but must have got them before they were put on sale. I picked this up from your comment on one of these forums. Thanks for monitoring these forums and your input is most valuable.
Jim

hex · 09-09-2002, 07:43 PM

Just How many openings are there in the roof of a 31 footer?

I will guess at a list, having never yet perused such a unit.

I am not counting limb stabs,bullet-holes, and missing rivits!

Blue water vent..?
Kitchen sink vent..?
Hot water Heater vent..?
Grey water vent..?
Furnace Vent..?
Air Conditioner unit.
Dome vent.
Dome vent.
Sewer/Blackwater vent.
Boy I hope I am way overestimating!

Did I miss somthin'?
Was I close?

davidz71 · 09-10-2002, 09:11 AM

Let's see what I have on my 31' Excella 500:

3 domed vents w/ fans
Refrigerator vent
AC
Black/greywater tank vent
Bathroom fan vent
Kitchen exhaust fan vent

My furnace vents to the side of the trailer and I don't see a vent for the hot water heater other than to the side door.

ALANSD · 09-10-2002, 10:28 AM

I can empathize with you on the leak thing. I had no leaks on my AS until we spent the day in Florida in a torrential storm, 4" of rain over the day.
Water ran in from " I don't know where"- and wet the carpet in the middle of my living area. No water was able to be found anywhere else so it was a puzzle. I re caulked all my windows and doors and such with Vulkum and Aluminum Sealant anyway. haven't had a leak since, but also haven't been in that kind of downpur again either.

smily · 09-10-2002, 10:57 AM

I have been replacing my marker lights and there are many holes behind the lights that I suppose are from previous replacement projects.

Also behind these lights is a hole that the wire protrudes. There is a grommet here but I have not found one yet that I would consider watertight.

I replaced the marker light just above the door last night and I found that there was a 1/2" hole that appeared to be from a hole saw???????

Anyway, I to am chasing a leak around the door area and caulking away.

Maybe one of these nights I will catch the culprit that is allowing water to breach my hull.

Rain Rain go away!

Smily

James Schmidt · 09-11-2002, 03:21 AM

Another opening that has not been mentioned is the one where the tv antenna is mounted. Also on the side is one for the radio antenna. Water leaks into our AS trailers can be one of the most frustrating to fix-but-when we finally find it . HoRay!!!!!! This thread on rain water leaks could be one of the most valuable and useful ones. Why not share your experiences with the rest of us.
Here is one I have found: On my 29 ft, the refer vent sits very close to the valley formed by the awning and the side of the trailer. In fact during hard rains, water will puddle at this point. The gasket and seal must be able to withstand water that is standing on it. There are 4 rivits that are in this pool of water, so check them out very carefully. I used parabond on the rivit holes before I replaced them, then put a layer of plumbers putty down before I put the gasket in place. This has worked for me.

53flyingcloud · 09-11-2002, 06:28 AM

Hex...
Sorry to say but, did you miss the lights over the rear bedroom window as well as the lights up front?
Don't forget the bubble leveler up front as well.
Then, there's all those holes for your awnings....
Just to mention but, a few more...
Here's a shocker...which I discovered on my A/S..The belly skin isn't one complete piece of skin..A/S used some kind of seal to "bond" the sections together..In my case, they were loose..I went around underneath and, resealed the sections. Nice to know when pulling your unit in the rain that, it "might" be scoopin up water...
They're called "land yachts", at least for now, the water line isn't too deep yet...lol
ciao