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TowAir · 06-02-2015, 12:02 PM

I know this has been posted before, but hasn't everything? Save me the search and sift, please

I have a 2007 Safari, and I recently noticed moisture in the rear storage area. Granted, I just traveled 150 miles in a deluge, but still, have to deal with this. I think that the culprit is the lack of seal between the shell and bumper (shown in picture). I'm going to hit it with Acryl R, but I wanted to know if there's something else I should do/look for before I close up.

Thanks for your assistance.

A W Warn · 06-02-2015, 01:32 PM

Wait till it is dry to caulk, or the caulk will not bond. Then use a urethane sealant (Trempro 635) along that joint between the vertical wall and the horizontal bumper storage lid. Acryl R will be too free flowing to work in this condition.

Dab some caulk on the screws and pop rivets that hold the rub rail as you re-install them.

After the rub rail is back in place caulk along the top. I have used both Parbond and Tremro 635 above the rub rail with good results.

add edit:
Since I repaired my Safari's leak, I keep the tongue elevated so that the top surface of the bumper storage lid slopes away from the wall.

AWCHIEF · 06-02-2015, 02:34 PM

Nothing wrong with searching. It makes it easier to find info later.

AtomicNo13 · 06-02-2015, 03:06 PM

Could be a simple gasket failure?

cwf · 06-02-2015, 09:21 PM

Get dry... very dry.. then seal up.. also put sealant on the trim piece across top as you install. Leave the bottom of the trim open for water to find a way OUT on the OUTSIDE of your AS...

Then, set up a water sprinkler to deluge the area..while you check for leaks inside.. any hint of water, shut it down and figure it out.

Schu · 06-03-2015, 12:56 PM

Does your access compartment door seal tight?You can also take a four inch hole saw and cut a hole in the underbelly under the compartment area that is wet so you can access foil insulation.
You then can slit the insulation to see if any water comes out. If it is dry it probably is not the seal behind rub rail.
Definitely clean and seal behind the rub rail. DS

dznf0g · 06-03-2015, 01:09 PM

My wet rear compartment was a combo of several leaks. Look up and forward to the end of the clam shell, where the side walls end. Marker lights, reflectors, tail lights, License bracket, window(s) brows, awning attachments, rivets and seams, and of course, the lower molding which OP is addressing. The door seal should be checked, but on many ASes, there is an inward tilt to the body there and the compartment frame has a lip and tilts down/out. I fought the seal for a long time, until I realized it wasn't the culprit.

Cousin Eddie · 06-03-2015, 02:35 PM

We had the same issue a few years ago on our 2003 25' Safari. We had the entire rub rail re-caulked as well as the bumper area and that solved the problem.

m.hony · 06-03-2015, 03:25 PM

I have that problem now. Will reference this thread again for repair. It only leaks when it is raining, and on a dry day it's as good as any man's trailer...

ckottum · 06-03-2015, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schu

Does your access compartment door seal tight?You can also take a four inch hole saw and cut a hole in the underbelly under the compartment area that is wet so you can access foil insulation.
You then can slit the insulation to see if any water comes out. If it is dry it probably is not the seal behind rub rail.
Definitely clean and seal behind the rub rail. DS

Schu, on the 2012 model year Airstreams they began installing a gasket between the shell and bumper plate during manufacture. Ours has it, we have seen some leakage come down from above but I think that gasket is preventing rub rail leaks.

Has Airstream Service Center (or any other folks for that matter) seen any failure of bumper area gasket from 2012 models and newer?

We still recommend and use a moisture detection meter with a probe to poke through the vinyl in the plywood subfloor to periodically inspect for leaks here, and around the interior perimeter of the Airstream. We do it quarterly, and sometimes after a really heavy wind-driven rainstorm.

cheryl

beez506 · 06-03-2015, 07:13 PM

I was looking at the picture and couldn't quite tell what I was looking at. Being that I have a 2007 25' FB I was not familiar with a rear storage compartment other than the one in the bumper. I now see that you are not talking about the bumper storage.

I am new to AS and how it all works but was surprised to open my bumper storage compartment after our first outing and find it full of water. When I bought the AS last fall (2014) I found the compartment was full of dirt (dried mud) and even some rocks. I cleaned it all out and added some plastic storage boxes. The boxes were open on top which didn't seem like a problem. When I got home I discovered about 3/4" of water in the boxes. I am still a little puzzled as to how all the water and dirt gets into the bumper compartment. We had a heavy rain while we were out and it looks like the bumper compartment is designed to drain out the bottom. It also seems to allow a lot of rain to come in around the lid.

Are there any thought on how to make this less prone to flooding and ways to keep the dirt out?

ckottum · 06-03-2015, 09:14 PM

beez', that bumper storage area is where the water coming off the shell of the trailer and water, dirt, rocks and bugs thrown from the wheels under the trailer meet. It's wet and dirty.

Good place to store outdoor things that don't mind dirt such as hoses (turn the ends together), some store the 30 amp electric cord there.

cheryl

beez506 · 06-04-2015, 08:45 PM

Thanks, looks like I need to make some adjustments or find some covers for my boxes.

A W Warn · 06-04-2015, 09:25 PM

This thread shows my repair of the leak
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f456...de-109059.html

This thread shows my repair of damaged plywood on the inside, caused by the leak
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...xy-108608.html

Schu · 06-05-2015, 04:23 AM

[QUOTE=ckottum;1631868]Schu, on the 2012 model year Airstreams they began installing a gasket between the shell and bumper plate during manufacture. Ours has it, we have seen some leakage come down from above but I think that gasket is preventing rub rail leaks.

Has Airstream Service Center (or any other folks for that matter) seen any failure of bumper area gasket from 2012 models and newer?

We still recommend and use a moisture detection meter with a probe to poke through the vinyl in the plywood subfloor to periodically inspect for leaks here, and around the interior perimeter of the Airstream. We do it quarterly, and sometimes after a really heavy wind-driven rainstorm.

I am not aware of any failures with the new gasket at the end she'll and bumper compartment. The other change was how the insulation was installed at the rear of shell.

TowAir · 06-16-2015, 03:04 PM

I did the work on seam between the bumper storage and the shell, and much to my dismay the rear storage was wet yet again after yesterday's deluge here in Ohio. So I did a little more poking around, and I think I found the culprit. The seal around the rear clearance lights is wearing. There are holes apparent around two lights. Crossing my fingers that I've got it this time!

Thankfully I still have some TremPro 635 on hand. Now, do I have to remove the lights and take all the old stuff off, or can I go over what's there?

I'll be searching the forum as I await your responses.

TowAir · 06-16-2015, 04:28 PM

Started taking it off for re-caulk with TremPro and saw this. The screw hole had a rusty spot behind the light, and clearly water has been coming in here. Hopefully this will fix the leak. Going to replace the screw, add a rubber o-ring, and clean and seal everything up.