sealing seams in the wheel wells..

[safari25-05]

After going to the rally at Topsail recently, some of the guys with the older units were talking about water wicking up through the insulation in the underbelly, rotting the floor areas and rusting the floor steel under carriage. Well...I got a little tip for you all that may help reduce water getting in there in the first place. After pulling my wheels off my 05 25' FB, at the front of the inner wheel well, the rear and across the entire back ( inner ) there is a total of 5 seam areas that during traveling in the rain, water can come in these seams and run down in the under belly sheet metal, and possibily be soaked up by the insulation that drapes down between the span of the cross members in the ladder frame work. You could use any good tube of sealant that you wish to use. So alittle prevention now will pay off in the long run. I plan to keep my rig for the long haul, not trade or sell in a year or two.

[davidz71]

Before I had my bearings packed last year, I noticed that the outrigger behind my rear tandum axle was rusting through. I found some asphault caulking and filled in the tiny holes as well as other areas where water could get into that area. I then had the RV guy repacking the bearings spray the entire wheelwell area, paying close attention to laying it on thick in the areas where I had caulked. I used an asphault type rather than the type that sets up like a rubber finish. That stuff seems to hold in moisture.

[ZoominC6]

Very interesting post SAFARI25. We discovered what looked to be a dark road grime in our cabinet over the driver's side wheel well. I temporarily stuffed rags in the gap and we placed the cookware in sealable plastic bags. Our trailer is undergoing some mods with Roger Williams Airstream at present and this unsavory item was on our list of things to address. I'll be interested in hearing what David Tidmore has to say about what he found and how he solved the problem. If anyone can make a permanent fix, David and Denver can do it.

[Devoman]

I just cleaned the area up really good and put aluminum tape over those areas in the wheel well.I dont expect it to last that long but so far so good.I did this just before we left for the rally.There are a lot of areas that are like this.If you look around your steps you will see a huge hole where water can get in on both sides.I dont think this is good but some pics are posted.Here you go.Openened areas and seams

[Silvertwinkie]

I have Vulkem in that area now. If water gets in the area, it won't be from the wheel well.

Funny, the roof looks like the caulk was poured on, but the wheel wells have next to nothing.

[safari25-05]

Like you today,took a closer look at the openings at both ends around the steps.Decided the best thing to do is get some of that heavy gauge white sheet metal from my local alum. construction supply called White Alumimun and unbolt the steps to make access to the two areas ,make a template from paper of somekind and cut-out sheet metal to form a tighter seal to cover the openings where you see the insulation at the curve in the underbelly,fasten the tin to the plating on each end with predrilled holes for sheet metal screws or rivets,then seal-in all around with good caulk and after dry spray undercoat and reinstall steps.With this area open like that bet the rain can really gets in there traveling in the rain.I,ve decided this is my next priority project. For me this is a common weekend project I do this stuff all the time with any rv I've had, water leaks are your biggest enemy.

[Devoman]

It is bad when you look in there and see insulation mixed with dirt,sand,mud,water and whatever else is in there.I will have this fix done here shortly also.I just never took the time to fix it lately.I will post pics and such when I do it.I think a nice piece of thin aluminum and some tin snips will do the job well.Also buy the paint to match as well and caulk really good with some vulkum.That should do the trick.