Strange Leak at Outside Storage Doors

[Al and Missy]

I'm in the middle of a interior repair to mitigate water damage from a roof vent that didn't close all the way (to be reported in another thread). I have the bedroom stripped from the subfloor up to the level of the bed tops, i.e. I have removed the flooring and the floor mounted furniture. This demolition gave me a good view of the inside of the storage doors as I was working.

A rainstorm came up and suddenly there was a slight stream of water running across the floor. The source was the roadside storage compartment door, but in a very odd way. Water was coming up over the gasket, apparently wicking up due to capillary action between the door and the gasket.

These are new seals. I had J. D. Sanders order them about a year ago. When the first set came in they didn't look like the ones I assumed to be the originals in that the door didn't touch the seal when closed leaving a gap of 1/4" or slightly less. David ordered me some new seals after I sent him sketches, pictures and measurements. They looked like the originals but may have been slightly less tall.

Has anyone run into this problem, and if so, what was the solution? I'm thinking of ringing the edge of the doors with a strip of rubber sheet about 1/8" thick and 1" wide.

Thanks,

Al

[Airstreamfan]

Let me know, PLEASE, what you come up with, as I'm experiencing the same thing on my Excella storage doors.

I'm new to Airstreams, but not to fabrication. I am starting to convince myself that my storage doors, BOTH OF THEM, were improperly fitted during original installation. The bottom piano hinge is mounted too far away to allow the door to seal against the inner rubber seal/gasket around the opening. There's an 1/8" to 1/4" gap when the door is closed, and even pushed in by hand.

I'm thinking that either some sort of rubber seal around the perimeter of the door to take up the space, or to drill out the hinge rivets, and move the door "in" towards the seal, re-drill and rivet.

Thoughts?

[Al and Missy]

Originally Posted by Airstreamfan

Let me know, PLEASE, what you come up with, as I'm experiencing the same thing on my Excella storage doors.

I'm new to Airstreams, but not to fabrication. I am starting to convince myself that my storage doors, BOTH OF THEM, were improperly fitted during original installation. The bottom piano hinge is mounted too far away to allow the door to seal against the inner rubber seal/gasket around the opening. There's an 1/8" to 1/4" gap when the door is closed, and even pushed in by hand.

I'm thinking that either some sort of rubber seal around the perimeter of the door to take up the space, or to drill out the hinge rivets, and move the door "in" towards the seal, re-drill and rivet.

Thoughts?

I haven't solved it yet, but your thoughts are about the same as mine. I have some flat seal that I bought for another use and I may try that next time I have the trailer at the house.

Al

[pjshier]

...try my favorite McMaster Carr. They have two of most things and one of everything. Check out their selection of foam and rubber and silicone and ... sealing material in all shapes and profiles.