Water Heater Leak - Bottom Flange Seam

I have a Suburban water heater and near the bottom where the service door is hinged is a metal flange that seems to attach the water heater to the exterior of the trailer. This metal flange has a metal seam that runs the length of the water heater, just below the drain plug. When I drain the water heater or if the water heater weeps any water to the bottom of that flange, it seems to allow water to leak just inside the trailer itself. I've noticed water dripping immediately under the water heater but from the trailer itself. This only happens when water is sitting in this flange area. Any other time, I don't notice any other leaks from the water heater.
The simple solution would seem to be to just silicone the heck out of that seam but I doubt it will last or be a long term fix. It really seems like a design flaw and I'm shocked I don't see this as a complaint more often in my searching. Anyone else encounter this and better yet, fix it?