Forum Discussion

jillhop's avatar
jillhop
Explorer
Dec 14, 2014

Ooops! Now to fix it ...

I was doing really well with the backing up thing (first-time RV owner) and got a little cocky backing into my driveway. I ran the rear corner up on a rock, and when pulling off, pulled the corner molding slightly (where the side of the MH joins the passenger side rear), leaving a small gap. The gap is only about 1/4" wide at the bottom/widest point, but I'm afraid of water infiltration. Recommendations for repair?

It may be that I need to do something quick and dirty now with a more definitive repair in the spring, as I live in New England and the "nice" weather is not going to last much longer ... I'm more worried about preventing further damage than I am about cosmetics.

I've never tried to load an image, hope this works ...

Class C
  • CloudDriver's avatar
    CloudDriver
    Explorer
    Dec 14, 2014
    Did something similar to the rear corner of our MH when on a trip a couple of years back. Good old duct tape sealed it up until we got home.

    Our metal corner strip is held on with screws, so my "permanent" fix was to apply Dicor to the inside edges of the trim and screw it back in place. So far, so good.
  • powderman426's avatar
    powderman426
    Explorer
    Dec 14, 2014
    ron.dittmer wrote:
    This might sound a little "Out There" but you might want to try this.

    1) Find a parking lot with a solid concrete lamp-post base.
    2) Place properly sized lumber between the concrete and the place on your low-point rear wall where it pulled away.
    3) Very slowly have your spouse or friend back up the rig while you hold the lumber in the right place for the right pressure point. Some practicing on extremely slow backing would be a good idea.

    Let the rig creep extremely slowly without using the gas pedal until you see the separation start to close. It might just go back into the right position once relaxed. Then caulk and I'd think you are good as new.


    I don't like this idea. Too much chance for further damage. The proflex should be fine. I would see if I could flex it open at the bottom by hand just enough to shoot some sealer in there and then run a couple of washer head screws into the back side of the trim to pull it closed followed by a dab of the sealer on the screw heads. It also would probably be a good idea to trim off that pointed end on the trim so you don't get hung up on it in the future. Things sticking out like that can cut you good. I know from first hand experience.
  • ron_dittmer's avatar
    ron_dittmer
    Explorer II
    Dec 14, 2014
    This might sound a little "Out There" but you might want to try this.

    1) Find a parking lot with a solid concrete lamp-post base.
    2) Place properly sized lumber between the concrete and the place on your low-point rear wall where it pulled away.
    3) Very slowly have your spouse or friend back up the rig while you hold the lumber in the right place for the right pressure point. Some practicing on extremely slow backing would be a good idea.

    Let the rig creep extremely slowly without using the gas pedal until you see the separation start to close. It might just go back into the right position once relaxed. Then caulk and I'd think you are good as new.
  • newman_fulltime's avatar
    newman_fulltime
    Explorer II
    Dec 14, 2014
    Pull several of the screws put small washers on them then suck the trim back in and caulk it back up with some dicor
  • jillhop's avatar
    jillhop
    Explorer
    Dec 14, 2014
    The molding is metal, and I don't see any screws in the area.

    Would ProFlexRV be an appropriate sealer?
  • Rolin's avatar
    Rolin
    Explorer
    Dec 14, 2014
    Hi jillhop,
    I would get some non-silicone sealer from your local RV supply store (perhaps campingworld) clean the area, put some sealer on, lift the plastic thing that covers the screws push the trim in place, put a couple of new screws in, reseat the plastic.

    Then if you want you could add a little sealer along the edges where the seal was compromised.

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