Must be the time of year for Leaks

[Zugbug]

I have discovered a leak in my 2006 23 foot Safari. It is leaking below the rear street side window above the bed. I have discoloration on the mousefur running down from the bottom of the window and water then pools a little on the plywood bed frame. Last night I opened the awning which covers this window almost completely, no water on the plywood this morning but the mousefur is still damp to the touch , could be it hasn't fully dried yet. Hoping it is just a window reseal. All comments and help welcome.

[KJRitchie]

Having gone through trying to find a leak, inspect the outside around the window frame and the surrounding roof panel seams for cracking caulk and check rivets. Reseal as needed. If your trailer's windows etc haven't been inspected and resealed in a while it may be time.

Try to reproduce the leak. I used a step ladder and attached a hose sprayer on it and let it soak the suspected area. Note how the water is streaming down and how long it takes to reproduce the leak.

If you reproduce the leak then you can start spraying low for the amount of time it took to reproduce the leak. If no leak then move the sprayer up a section and repeat.

I found it better for my leak to tape off areas of possible leakage with duct tape. First I ran the water to the top of the roof area and waited to reproduce the leak. Once the leak was reproduced then I taped off the roof seams including the rivets. If the leak wasn't reproduced then I assumed anything lower was not the source. I start removing a section of tape and start the water spray. Check to see if you see a leak.

Make sure if you reproduce the leak you wipe off the water and wait for it to stop so the next time you run the water and you see an internal drip you know its valid.

Kelvin

[Zugbug]

Thanks KJ I read through your posts and hope I have a easier go of finding and fixing this leak.

[Zugbug]

Well after looking a little closer it looks like a seam above the window awning area, I just ordered some Acryl-R to try and seal it, we will see how it goes.

[Streamracer]

Zugbug, you probably found your leak. I had one that sounded like yours and I found that one of the rivets holding the awning on had broken. New rivet and sealer took care of it. Good luck

[guskmg]

Roofs and window eyebrows need to be resealed every 5 years if left in daily sun light. In the interim Acrylic-R or Captain Tilley's leak is good.
Guskmg

[KJRitchie]

I found Acryl-R with the pump dispenser is not easy to apply. Tape up your seam, use disposable gloves to smooth the bead then pull the tape. Perform in the shade as the hot sun will cause the Acryl to start to set and get sticky quick and when you pull the tape you'll tear the Acyril edges. I purchased a new can never used it until now and it expired in 6/16 so I don't know if a fresh can flows easier. Purchase a quart of Xylene from Home Depot for cleanup.

Kelvin

[Zugbug]

Will Xylene damage the clearcoat?

[KJRitchie]

I'm wondering that too. In a couple of places where I rubbed hard with a smooth rag with a finger on the curved panels, in the sun there seems to be a duller spot when the sun hits it just right. Trouble is mineral spirits won't cut the dried Acryl. Best to apply the Acryl when its fresh and in the shade so it doesn't set up so fast before the tape is pulled. I used the 3m blue tape.

Kelvin

[Zugbug]

Well I taped of the area I suspected of leaking, and we had a few days of light rain. So far no leak, hopefully I am lucky and found the spot.

[B_Boult]

I have an older Airstream and it has what i thought were leaks, always above a window. But what I discovered is a condensation problem instead. The condensation happens between the reflective insulation I put in and the outer aluminum shell. It then runs down the curve of the Airstream and hits the top of the window which is like a channel. if trailer is slightly angled to the rear the collecting water drips from top corner. So what seems like a hole somewhere is actually condensation. I have still some areas around ceiling vents to rivet closed so I am assuming warm air is sneaking into the space between ceiling and outer shell.
So sometimes condensation can be the problem if you cant find any holes or bad rivets.

[Zugbug]

Sealed the seam with Acrly-R and the applicator seemed to work great for me, now lets hope it worked.

[KJRitchie]

Strap a hose on a step ladder and soak that area.

Kelvin

[Zugbug]

Got a little rain the other day and no sign of a leak, I am hoping I got it.