Old class c rotted back outside corner
Hi i just bought an older class c its a 1979 dodge triple e (micmac III) this is only to get me thru the year tell i can get another one. Everything works and is a great unit, except i noticed today ...
Forum Discussion
If the outside skin is in reasonable shape and it's just a seam that's separated and leaking, a strip of Eternabond tape properly applied would seal out further water intrusion. It would be necessary to make sure you find where the water is getting in, of course. With a shower in the corner, it could easily be the vertical corner seam, the horizontal seams along the roof line, around the skylight or vent over the shower (if you have one), or some other gizmo mounted on the outside of the RV. Clearance lights are one not uncommon source of leaks.
If the Eternabond tape is too expensive for you, aluminum foil tape for heating ducts (not what is commonly called duct tape or duck tape) is pretty effective too, though not as sturdy and rather uglier looking. It's handy stuff to have around in general. Gorilla tape also works pretty well, but I would hesitate to trust it to stay waterproof over an extended time. For a quick emergency repair, it is quite handy and effective.
If it's not a seam that's leaking but some other thing, caulking may be more appropriate than tape. Dicor self-leveling lap joint compound is a common and effective sealant for horizontal roof application (like around the flange of skylights/vents), and there are a variety of caulking compounds that can be used for other locations. It's generally best to avoid silicone based caulks because they're very difficult to renew effectively when that's required. Basically nothing sticks to cured silicone, not even more silicone, so it's necessary to remove every last bit to renew it. I've had reasonable luck (so far) with OSI Quad, available from big box stores.
A proper repair, of course, includes stripping out the rotted wood and framing and replacing with solid new material. It is a lot of work.
If the Eternabond tape is too expensive for you, aluminum foil tape for heating ducts (not what is commonly called duct tape or duck tape) is pretty effective too, though not as sturdy and rather uglier looking. It's handy stuff to have around in general. Gorilla tape also works pretty well, but I would hesitate to trust it to stay waterproof over an extended time. For a quick emergency repair, it is quite handy and effective.
If it's not a seam that's leaking but some other thing, caulking may be more appropriate than tape. Dicor self-leveling lap joint compound is a common and effective sealant for horizontal roof application (like around the flange of skylights/vents), and there are a variety of caulking compounds that can be used for other locations. It's generally best to avoid silicone based caulks because they're very difficult to renew effectively when that's required. Basically nothing sticks to cured silicone, not even more silicone, so it's necessary to remove every last bit to renew it. I've had reasonable luck (so far) with OSI Quad, available from big box stores.
A proper repair, of course, includes stripping out the rotted wood and framing and replacing with solid new material. It is a lot of work.
