Forum Discussion

jstar's avatar
jstar
Explorer
Nov 08, 2015

Leaks galore

I bought a new to me TT that is in really great shape and had very few areas of de-lamination. I noticed that the dealer the folks I bought it from who they got the unit from a year ago, went over it and did a bunch of great looking caulking and sealing of the roof, joints etc. However we have had a lot of rain since I bought it and today I noticed some swelling at the rear corner where there was some already but it looks much worse. I have a moisture meter (i'm a home inspector) that is non intrusive you just run it along what ever and it tells you the percentage of moisture in the product. I wasn't sure if it would even work that great but guess what? It does and it showed my a ton of leaks I have. all around the slide, the rear where I saw the swelling including the very back wall and under several other openings. Most everything looks sealed up great which is very disturbing also. What is one to do?
  • FLY_4_FUN's avatar
    FLY_4_FUN
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2015
    I think the folks that have delamination and are still using the rig have had it in for a repair estimate and found out its a prohibitive cost. To me delamination of any kind is a deal breaker and I would not want to purchase one with the condition. Since you bought it and were aware of it I would do as much as you can to ensure no more leaks occur and just enjoy it as is. Unless its a tiny area delamination is not a simple or cheap fix unless you happen to be a diy fibreglass guy.
  • jstar's avatar
    jstar
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2015
    midnightsadie wrote:
    just real curious,what dealer did you buy this water logged rv from.


    I bought it from an individual not a dealer.
  • jstar's avatar
    jstar
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2015
    Alabama Jim wrote:
    It sounds like you may be in for a complete roof repair. I watched a video on this and it entails taking the rubber roof off, then replacing the wooden decking, then replacing the rubber roof and caulking all around the edges and the openings.


    No way its that serious, I wouldn't pay to have that done, way to expensive. I'm better off sealing it up and stopping the leak and letting it dry out and keep using it as is then replacing it if and when needed. I'm not going to live in it, just camp a few nights at a time as often as possible. I will probably build a cover for it too to keep it dry most of the time and then probably move on to something else at some point. its a catch and release program I run with cars, boats, bikes, RVs etc.
  • jstar's avatar
    jstar
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2015
    Well I noticed that the aluminum framing is part of what is giving me moisture readings so its not as bad as I first thought but the one area in the rear corner where its swelling needs to be sealed up better then it is at the very least. I've walked all over the roof as I did a thorough washing and waxing of the unit when I brought it home, its a solid trailer, solid roof no water staining or soft spots anywhere. I think the gutter at the end is the issue and will be working on sealing that up probably in the next few days.
  • Alabama_Jim's avatar
    Alabama_Jim
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2015
    It sounds like you may be in for a complete roof repair. I watched a video on this and it entails taking the rubber roof off, then replacing the wooden decking, then replacing the rubber roof and caulking all around the edges and the openings.
  • jstar's avatar
    jstar
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2015
    Lets be fair here, the unit is a 2003 its almost 14 years old so there will be a history of caulking and more then likely leaking of some sort on any RV that is that old so caulking is not a major clue and I would expect to see some delamination on any older unit, for its age it had very little delamination just in a few small areas, I have seen much much worse on newer units. Anyway it is what it is and that's an older used trailer, even new ones leak I'm pretty sure. Get you a moisture meter and see for your self what you have. My brother has a 2011 trailer and were heading over to do some moisture meter checking on it too. I'll post the results in a bit.
  • korbe's avatar
    korbe
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2015
    jstar wrote:
    ?....and had very few areas of de-lamination.

    Clue #1
    jstar wrote:
    ........ and did a bunch of great looking caulking and sealing of the roof, joints etc.

    Clue #2
  • jstar's avatar
    jstar
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2015
    westend wrote:
    Perform a pressurized interior leak test on the trailer. It will turn up any possible areas that are still leaking.

    At some point, someone will have to repair the delamination if the trailer is to be kept useful.


    How do you repair delamination? I would think if its not decayed and can dry out that at least if you stop the leak and dry it out it would be fine at least for a few more years. I see RV's with pretty severe delamination everywhere. Not saying its OK but people still seem to use them anyway.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Nov 08, 2015
    Perform a pressurized interior leak test on the trailer. It will turn up any possible areas that are still leaking.

    At some point, someone will have to repair the delamination if the trailer is to be kept useful.

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