Water intrusion at rear bumper - What years affected?

[RFP]

As a newbie, I've read many threads about - or making reference to - water leaking in from where the rear bumper box meets the shell. Are there particular years affected, or is this a perpetual Airstream 'problem' ... or potential problem?

[GMFL]

I think our trailer are post bumper problems. I believe Airstream now put a rubber membrane back there to prevent water intrusion. Time will tell at our expense if there plan works!

[dkottum]

They put in the shell/bumper plate seal beginning with 2012 models. I believe it helped if not totally eliminated the problem in the long run. I still continue to inspect our floor perimeter around our Airstream interior by probing it with a moisture detection meter on a regular basis. Find moisture, fix the leak right away. No moisture, no floor rot.

[Kemblkr]

I read on here they started using sealant in 2015. I know my 2003 had no factory sealant and I just replaced the rear 4 foot of subfloor. Call airstream and ask them
If rear bumper to shell seam is caulked? Way too many rotten floors due to lack of $1.00 worth of Sikaflex 221. . You can clearly see the before and after pics. Nothing to stop the water from just flowing in! Now the water doesn't have a chance!


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[dkottum]

Even with the seal, moisture can get to the subfloor from above, down inside the walls, and into the plywood. Awning bracket attachments, window seals, exterior light fixtures, and anything protruding from the roof can eventually leak from use and time.

The moisture detection meter probed into the subfloor on a regular inspection can advise you of a leak before damage can occur, and give you a chance to repair it.

[sallye]

Can some of you recommend the best moisture meter to get? There are meters that have a long probe - but they are more expensive. What do you use?

Thanks in advance.

[RFP]

Originally Posted by dkottum

Even with the seal, moisture can get to the subfloor from above, down inside the walls, and into the plywood. Awning bracket attachments, window seals, exterior light fixtures, and anything protruding from the roof can eventually leak from use and time.

The moisture detection meter probed into the subfloor on a regular inspection can advise you of a leak before damage can occur, and give you a chance to repair it.

Yep, I know about how sneaky water can be! Even though I am an Airstream newbie, I'm not new to RVs.

This morning, I went around the perimeter of the 23Ds floor with my Sonin meter... happily, no moisture despite having just been on the road for a month in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.... with significant raon, too.

All the best

[glenrms]

Several years ago I purchased a Tramex Moisture Encounter Plus non destructive moisture meter . It does not have probes but it does have two rubber pads on the back for contacting the surface. I think I paid about $250 but it is flawless. I'd expect it to be more now. This moisture meter will read through the floor vinyl and let you know if the plywood underneath has moisture. I don't see a model number on it but there is some tiny print stamped into the plastic case on the back. It's made in Ireland.

[RFP]

Originally Posted by glenrms

Several years ago I purchased a Tramex Moisture Encounter Plus non destructive moisture meter . <<< snip >>> I think I paid about $250 but it is flawless. I'd expect it to be more now. <<< snip >>>

$347 now... you got a bargain. Wow, this thing is smart!

https://www.amazon.com/Tramex-MEP-Mo...507539&sr=1-16

[Kemblkr]

http://m.harborfreight.com/digital-m...ter-67143.html

$14.99 at Harbor Freight. Works like a champ.


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[wulfraat]

$8.99 on eBay including shipping! I am ordering one just for fun

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...Meter&_sacat=0

[tabney0315]

Originally Posted by RFP

$347 now... you got a bargain. Wow, this thing is smart!



https://www.amazon.com/Tramex-MEP-Mo...507539&sr=1-16

It's $410 now!!!

[trumpetguy]

I just finished sealing the problem joint on my 2007 International CCD. We are the third owner and did not know the unit had rot in the Bedroom until we made a couple of trips. So with the leak fixed I need to tear out all the bedroom...bed, and closets to replace the sub floor. Not excited about this. Shame on Airstream for not taking the time to do it right.

[wulfraat]

Yes, it sucks. Bad. It cost me a small fortune to have all the damage repaired in my 2008 international. The entire interior at the rear of the coach had to be removed including rear shower, and all the plywood subfloor had to then be replaced.

You'll also need to drop the belly pan and replace all of the moisture barrier / insulation that is attached to the underside of the subfloor....

We owned the trailer since new.

We only discovered the damage when we were in the process of laying down new hardwood flooring....

[RFP]

Originally Posted by wulfraat

( snip )

We only discovered the damage when we were in the process of laying down new hardwood flooring....

Dang-O-rama!

Was all that damage from water coming in from the bumper area, or did the shower figure into it at all?

That had to be expensive!

[wulfraat]

All the damage was from the rear bumper where there was a gap in the shell as seen in the above photo in post #4 (not my trailer but same issue).

Shower was water tight.

7 years of accumulated water damage caused the floor to be rotted out.

$6,000 repair to have it fixed right ....

(all interior at rear of trailer including bed / shower top and bottom / plumbing was removed / reinstalled, removed / reinstalled toilet / black water tank / more plumbing, removed and replaced some interior skin to ensure root cause was correctly diagnosed, removed rotted sub floor and re-installed to include new water proofing around edges, removed / reinstalled belly pan to replace insulation, remove / replace lower exterior trim and seal up the freaking GAP on the outer shell, etc. etc... lots of labor.... and that didn't include the cost of new flooring

I had my repair done at Timeless travel trailers in Denver, they have always been fair with me regarding labor costs and do quality work, so although the cost was still high to outsource the repair, I feel that the problem in my trailer was correctly addressed by professionals who care about their customers

[pkmeaton]

The insulation and barrier can't be done from the bedroom?

[pkmeaton]

We only have to do the rear sheet of plywood.

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by pkmeaton

The insulation and barrier can't be done from the bedroom?

I think that would be tricky at best.

Once you tear out the old plywood and replace it with new subfloor, you will then need to go under the trailer and affix new insulation to the underside of the new subfloor via the belly pan

(if you want to do it right and remove the old, nasty likely moldy old insulation that has at this point been damaged by water)

[perryg114]

Remove that plate so the water can shed off the back of the trailer. It will continue to be a problem. I removed the plate and welded a separate piece of steel angle between the frame rails to attach the hinge for the lid. Also the box for the bumper is separated from the belly skin so water does not funnel under there and rot the frame. It is a poor design that could easily be fixed. The back of my trailer looks like the sides so the water can shed off.

Perry