2013 Leprechaun water leak problems
My wife and I bought a new 2013 Leprechaun 317SA that we like a lot except we have very bad water leak issue in it. The front cap on our unit, and apparently on a lot of 2013 Leprechauns, was mounted...
Forum Discussion
Some of the areas described in your post need clarification. On a Leprechaun, the roof begins sloping at point A-where the awning rail meets the front cap trim. The roof on the Sunseeker appears to continue straight, without a slope, to the front cap. So the big difference is the awning rail stops at point A on the Leprechaun, and then the cap trim begins at that point, while on the Sunseeker the awning rail extends all the way to the cap, which would be more like point B.
The cap trim on both units is two pieces: A metal trim with screws, that covers the cap/body seam. This is an unattractive piece of metal. That metal trim is then covered with a vinyl trim cover, which is what you see. The problem is twofold. One, the metal trim may or may not be watertight to the body. If it is, it won't leak. Two, the vinyl cover may or may not be water tight. If it is, then it won't leak, as no water will be getting to the metal trim. If the vinyl does leak, and the metal seal is watertight, still no leak, just water under the vinyl. When they leak, it means the vinyl leaked, and the water then got past the metal trim (thru screw holes, or where the contour of the cap was not sealed completely with the similar, but not exactly same shape, front of coach).
Both units have the unfortunate situation of terminating the awning rail into the front cap seal. Leprechauns at point A, Sunseekers at point B. I don't understand why these are not separated, at least by 1/4 inch, with some sort of molding cap that won't allow water from the awning rail to enter the trim cover (vinyl piece). I also don't understand how you could have a piece of trim that by design traps water (the two piece metal/vinyl trim). IF there were weep holes in the vinyl trim along the bottom of the front cap, then if any water did get in, it would just go back out, and not sit there for days looking for a way to get into your coach.
I'm working on all the above theories. I do know that Forest River is aware of all this as well. They are working with the existing components, and putting their emphasis on ensuring that the cap to body seal is water tight. Also, just from looking at your pictures, it would appear that the Sunseeker has less of the two piece trim, and there is no Point A as on the Leprechaun, which is where the water appears to enter on the units I am familiar with.
It is not hard to make the vinyl trim watertight, nor is it hard to make the metal trim underneath water tight as well. While some of us have had this problem with Leprechauns, I have not heard of it on Sunseekers. This post has been around for a while, and not one Sunseeker owner has mentioned a water leak. The Sunseeker is a slightly different design, and I do believe it is built in a different plant. If I were you, I would not worry, and would just be getting excited about your new RV.
CT51
The cap trim on both units is two pieces: A metal trim with screws, that covers the cap/body seam. This is an unattractive piece of metal. That metal trim is then covered with a vinyl trim cover, which is what you see. The problem is twofold. One, the metal trim may or may not be watertight to the body. If it is, it won't leak. Two, the vinyl cover may or may not be water tight. If it is, then it won't leak, as no water will be getting to the metal trim. If the vinyl does leak, and the metal seal is watertight, still no leak, just water under the vinyl. When they leak, it means the vinyl leaked, and the water then got past the metal trim (thru screw holes, or where the contour of the cap was not sealed completely with the similar, but not exactly same shape, front of coach).
Both units have the unfortunate situation of terminating the awning rail into the front cap seal. Leprechauns at point A, Sunseekers at point B. I don't understand why these are not separated, at least by 1/4 inch, with some sort of molding cap that won't allow water from the awning rail to enter the trim cover (vinyl piece). I also don't understand how you could have a piece of trim that by design traps water (the two piece metal/vinyl trim). IF there were weep holes in the vinyl trim along the bottom of the front cap, then if any water did get in, it would just go back out, and not sit there for days looking for a way to get into your coach.
I'm working on all the above theories. I do know that Forest River is aware of all this as well. They are working with the existing components, and putting their emphasis on ensuring that the cap to body seal is water tight. Also, just from looking at your pictures, it would appear that the Sunseeker has less of the two piece trim, and there is no Point A as on the Leprechaun, which is where the water appears to enter on the units I am familiar with.
It is not hard to make the vinyl trim watertight, nor is it hard to make the metal trim underneath water tight as well. While some of us have had this problem with Leprechauns, I have not heard of it on Sunseekers. This post has been around for a while, and not one Sunseeker owner has mentioned a water leak. The Sunseeker is a slightly different design, and I do believe it is built in a different plant. If I were you, I would not worry, and would just be getting excited about your new RV.
CT51
