Persistent slide leak

Question

We have a 2005 Holiday Rambler Ambassador, 40', with 4 slides.

We developed a leak in one of our bedroom slides over a year ago. We took it to an ex-Monaco shop, supposedly very knowledgeable. They propped a hose on a ladder and doused it good, then decided to replace some of the seals; don't remember which ones.

Next major rainstorm, it leaked. We found that if we brought the slide in, it stayed dry. So that's what we did when rain was expected.

Then, recently, it began to get wet even with the slide in. Two weeks ago I took it to a shop where a guy, who seemed very experienced and knowledgeable, worked on it, replaced a seal and filled some voids he found, and he was very confident he'd fixed it.

Since then we've been in a few heavy rains, and it was dry. Thought the problem had been fixed. Then, today, it's just sprinkling, and just for heck of it, I checked, and it's damp. Not nearly as wet as it had been previously, but certainly not dry.

So, we brought the slide in, and I'm trying to decide our next move.

Has anyone used the system where they pressurize the inside, then spray the outside with soap and look for the bubbles?

I don't mind getting up there and looking, but if two pro shops couldn't fix it, what are the odds I'll be able to?

Anyway, looking for thoughts and suggestions.

thanks much-

dave

luckyd · Answer

Having the unit pressurized is the best way to find a leak.It takes all the time consuming guessing out of it.Guessing is labor and expensive.

happykayakers · Answer

I took my 5er to an RV dealer using the SealTech system back in 2007. They failed to find the leak. A mobile repair tech who'd been around the block a few times found it very easily in about 15 minutes on the roof.

In theory, it sounds like a great idea but probably depends more on the technician running it.

On a side note, I just visited their website. Looks like the company has changed hands recently. I hope they put more effort into building the machines than they do in their website.

rgatijnet1 · Answer

Do you have the canvas slide toppers with the aluminum covers that extend when the slide goes out? If you do, it is important that you seal the rail where the aluminum cover attaches to the coach.
My Monaco manual does say to retract the slides during a heavy storm but if your slide is leaking with a light rain, I would guess that the leak is at the slide cover attachment rather than the slide itself. Look for voids in that seal and attach screws that are not sealed.

dougrainer · Answer

HappyKayakers wrote:I took my 5er to an RV dealer using the SealTech system back in 2007. They failed to find the leak. A mobile repair tech who'd been around the  block a few times found it very easily in about 15 minutes on the roof. In theory, it sounds like a great idea but probably depends more on the technician running it. On a side note, I just visited their website. Looks like the company has changed hands recently. I hope they put more effort into building the machines than they do in their website.The problem with pressurizing the RV is that there are SO MANY holes and gaps, that it almost impossible to really rely on a pressure test. Especially when trying to diagnois a slide leak. Slides are not 100% air tight especially at the bottom area. Doug

conmoto · Answer

If you have a window in the slide reseal it. I had to eliminate every avenue of water coming in our bedroom slide and it was the window that allowed the water to run down inside the slide and then to the carpet. I pulled the window out and resealed it and that was the end of that leak.

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Persistent slide leak

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