I have had 2 local RV dealers/repair shops recommend using silicone to seal the seams on my aluminum sided travel trailer such as around windows and vertical corner seams. About 8 months ago, I followed this advice and used silicone to reseal a window and it appears to be holding up just fine. Now I'm reading all over this forum about how you should never use silicone on a camper. I don't understand based on my personal experience and the advice given by my local RV dealers.

Obviously the idiots at that dealer misled you. Sad, because now you have a lot of hard work ahead for you. Removing silicone is tough if not nearly impossible. And nothing will stick to it unless you can get it cleaned off.Silicone does not seem to adhere well to RV parts. It can pull away and leave gaps which can allow water inteusion.

donn0128 wrote:And nothing will stick to it unless you can get it cleaned off. And that includes another layer of the same stuff.It won't stick to itself once the first layer is cured.If you DO use silicone, you had better make real sure that the crack is done growing or moving AND that the surfaces are real clean first.

I've had good luck with silicone on RVs as long as you do not have a rubber roof which it will not stick to.

Bad advice on using Silicone to seal exterior areas.Very hard to remove.Very hard to reapply over the top to reseal.Silicone is very sticky and it attracts and holds dirt, road grime, etc.Use Proflex or Dicor....

I hope Doug or Chris weigh in. I dont think you are ever supposed to use it on your roof or roof components but my DP has silicone on the top window seams, door, and some trim pieces.One problem silicone brings is that it contaminates the surface and almost nothing will stick to the surface again, including silicone. I think you are supposed to use Butyl sealants.

Confused over the use of silicone | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Jan 27, 2016
I hope Doug or Chris weigh in. I dont think you are ever supposed to use it on your roof or roof components but my DP has silicone on the top window seams, door, and some trim pieces.

One problem silicone brings is that it contaminates the surface and almost nothing will stick to the surface again, including silicone.

I think you are supposed to use Butyl sealants.
downtheroad
Explorer
Jan 27, 2016
Bad advice on using Silicone to seal exterior areas.
Very hard to remove.
Very hard to reapply over the top to reseal.
Silicone is very sticky and it attracts and holds dirt, road grime, etc.

Use Proflex or Dicor....
Ivylog
Explorer III
Jan 27, 2016
I've had good luck with silicone on RVs as long as you do not have a rubber roof which it will not stick to.
Sam_Spade
Explorer
Jan 27, 2016
donn0128 wrote:
And nothing will stick to it unless you can get it cleaned off.

And that includes another layer of the same stuff.
It won't stick to itself once the first layer is cured.

If you DO use silicone, you had better make real sure that the crack is done growing or moving AND that the surfaces are real clean first.
donn0128
Explorer II
Jan 27, 2016
Obviously the idiots at that dealer misled you. Sad, because now you have a lot of hard work ahead for you. Removing silicone is tough if not nearly impossible. And nothing will stick to it unless you can get it cleaned off.
Silicone does not seem to adhere well to RV parts. It can pull away and leave gaps which can allow water inteusion.

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Confused over the use of silicone

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