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jdavidsmi's avatar
jdavidsmi
Explorer
Sep 01, 2017

drivers side mirror loose

We have a 2004 Fleetwood Terra 31H, with 54000 miles v-10. On the way home from Florida last month, I notice the drivers side mirror was vibrating, but the passengers side was not. When we stopped for fuel I checked it out, I was able to pull 3 of the 4 mounting screws out without turning them. I had some hollow wall anchors with me and was able to get 3 in and to tighten. and come on home. I have not had much time to investigate but what I have found has me worried.

I believe there was a large block of wood mounted between the walls when the coach was built, and over the years it has rotted away. This area is between the front cap and the drivers window. when I was looking at it yesterday I saw a small bubble under the vinyl wall covering on the inside. so I'm guessing water got in.

Without damaging the exterior fiberglass what would be the best way to repair?

A couple of things come to mind. inject epoxy that will fill the space and harden, open up the interior wall and replace the wood. Are there other ways that would make the repairs?

Thanks in advance
David
  • You mentioned removing the window trim, but did you pull the window and reseal around it? A quick test would be to temporarily seal the window with vinyl or duct tape, and then hit it with the hose to see if you still have a leak.
  • It has been a very rough winter and spring, health wise. Anyway a week ago I resolved to get to the bottom of the mirror issue. I removed the mirror, 3 of the 4 screws just fell out. On this motor home the mirror is mounted on the side, just in front and below the drivers side window. I removed the inter trim from around the window and pulled away some of the paneling, everything was wet from the front corner of the the window to the floor and the plywood that the mirror was mounted too was mush. what a mess. After I got it cleaned up I found the metal frame work is in very good condition, got it cleaned up and painted.
    I have been looking for this leak for two weeks and it had so far eluded me. Sprayed water with the hose, and it may or may not leak. but yesterday we had a rain storm with wind and boy did it leak.

    Motor Home is on its jacks and level, roof is rubber and 6 years old, AC was replaced 3 years ago. The front cap seam looks to be in good condition, and the seal around the radio antenna is intact.
    I re caulked the exterior of the window and the gutter down spout.

    Any Ideas of something I might have missed?
  • I wouldn't write it off. Take the mirror off and inspect the wood carefully and completely. Not all all mirror failures are due to leaks. Look at where the mirror is mounted. Out in the open getting blasted by the wind and every passing truck makes it worse. They get beat up out there. The manufacturers don't know how to install them, they should have a metal plate behind or in the wall for the mirror to attach to. My RV is 2 years old and my mirror decide to come loose. There was no backing behind it, wood or metal. The screws just pulled out of the wood. My only fix was doing the same thing they did, I dropped the mirror about and inch and ran new stainless steel screws right into the sidewall. Hopefully it will last longer than 2 years, what I think added to the failure was the cheap screws they used, make sure you use stainless steel.
  • I bet you never gave a thought about your seams and seals and assume that your units was water tight and it may have been when new, but seals and caulk crack and fail without regular maintenance and now you have a water intrusion issue and I bet it's a lot worse than just what you see (screws pulling out of rotted wood under the outer skin).

    Couple choices, rip out the interior walls around the problem area (I bet you'll find a lot more than just that area is rotted and repair it, get it professionally remediated (very expensive) or sell it and get what you can out of it, being honest with any buyer about the intrusion / rot issue.

    There is no easy way to address the issue and any 'band aid' approach will only be a temporary fix because rot is progressive, once it starts (mold spores digesting the lignun in the wood, it keeps going and it's obvious to me that it's wet inside the walls.

    If you aren't flush and cannot afford professional remediation or you aren't handy with wood working and structural member replacement, I'd sell it.

    Bet on your next unit, you'll pay attention to the seal maintenance.
  • "Fix it" or "fix it right"? To do it "right" you'll need to open up the wall. I'll bet then you'll find the problem area is larger than expected and any plans you had will change and expand.

    To just "Fix it", you could put an aluminum plate on the outside and a wood plate on the inside, then through bolt the mirror on.

    Just depends on how much time / money you want to spend and how long you want to keep this RV.