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jdavidsmi's avatar
jdavidsmi
Explorer
Jun 29, 2015

moisture in basement

I hope this is the category for my question.

We have a 2004 Fleetwood Terra 31H no slide outs about 41000 miles, we purchased in April 2015

i have noticed that one of the basement compartment, the right side, 2nd one back from the door, condensate forms in the top right corner. as best i can tell this is under the dinette seat where the electrical panel is located. The shore power is hooked up. its a 30amp system. the fan for the power converter is running.

the compartments are made of some type of plastic and the gaskets around the door has been replaced.

everything was removed from the compartment after our last trip.

i can open the door and within a short time its dried out, but the next day its back.

there is not any plumbing in that area, nothing inside is damp, i have inspected the roof cannot find any thing.

any ideas where to look next?
Class A

4 Replies

  • xctraveler's avatar
    xctraveler
    Explorer
    Jun 30, 2015
    Jim@HiTek wrote:
    The only compartment with drains would be the fresh water compartment. Pretty sure.

    I do like xctraveler's idea that it might be defrost water from the refer...if it's nearby. But, water can travel quite a distance hidden before appearing.


    My former coach, 2004 Southwind, with molded compartments had two drains with duckbill valves in each compartment not just the utility compartment. I cleaned each and every drain every year. :)
  • Jim's avatar
    Jim
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2015
    The only compartment with drains would be the fresh water compartment. Pretty sure.

    I do like xctraveler's idea that it might be defrost water from the refer...if it's nearby. But, water can travel quite a distance hidden before appearing.
  • xctraveler's avatar
    xctraveler
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2015
    Actually the compartment should have a drain with a duckbill on it. Check that the drain is not plugged and the duckbill is in place to prevent water and small critters from entering from below. My drains used to get plugged up and had to clear them once a year.

    I sure would want to find the source, is the refrigerator above the compartment? Just guessing.
  • Jim's avatar
    Jim
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2015
    Why not just drill 1/4" holes, like 3 or 4, in the corner of the compartment?

    I'm thinking it's caused by a small air leak into the compartment. And overnight temps and moisture content do the rest. Maybe you're looking at morning dew?

    I'd climb under the rig and check for cracks and bad seals around the attachment points and seals. Put a strong battery operated light inside the compartment, and wait for nightfall.

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