Forum Discussion

uintafly's avatar
uintafly
Explorer
May 10, 2014

New trailer leaking.

Hello all, today I found what I never wanted to find - sopping wet carpet. We got a lot of rain this week including some very heavy rain yesterday so I figured I would go check out the trailer for any leaks. Unfortunately I found 2! The carpet in the storage compartment at the front of the trailer was damp, and even worse the carpet inside the trailer at the back of the slide was sopping wet. This is not the carpet on the slide, in fact I can't find anything wet on the slice, but it is the carpet under the slide. Needless to say it is highly annoying. knowing we were getting so much rain this week I even did a thorough inspection of the outside of the trailer looking for thinning caulk. I found and fixed a few areas though nothing closet to the leaks and nothing that seemed to serious.

What is the best route to take on this? Should I contact the manufacturer (Cruiser RV)? I already have a call in to the dealership though the service manager and his #2 are both off today. They said they would call me back on Monday, but I am thinking of just driving to the dealership and dropping off the rig (about 30 minutes). This is the second trailer I have purchased from this dealer and they have always fixed the few small issues we have had, nothing like this though. I don't doubt they will fix the leaks but how do I guarantee that any affected wood is replaced? It is quite possible this has been a slow leak for a while and only noticed now due to the heavy rain. I am also very paranoid about delamination occurring down the road - especially next year after it is out of warranty.

Any idea on how long something like this takes to repair? We have trips scheduled for next weekend and Memorial Day. I have a feeling at least next weekend will be out though.

FYI: the unit is a 2014 Shadow Cruiser 260BHS purchased in February and manufactured in July, 2013. WE have used the trailer 4 times this year with no major issues.
  • tatest's avatar
    tatest
    Explorer II
    May 10, 2014
    Probably a slideout seal, and how long to fix depends on how long to get the parts.
  • Road_Runners's avatar
    Road_Runners
    Explorer
    May 10, 2014
    Ventilate and keep the air moving inside to dry everything as quickly as possible. I don't think you have to worry about the wood rotting or warping if you get it dry in a reasonable time.

    Our fiver when new had such a leak that was fixed under warranty. Under warranty they fixed the leak and put down new carpet as the water stained it. Now it is 14 years later and no problems with the leak damaging anything.
  • Tequila's avatar
    Tequila
    Explorer
    May 10, 2014
    First of all I would have a slide topper awning installed if you do not have one already. Why they sell RV's without them I will never know. If you bought the slide in shortly after, or when it was raining, that could easily be the source of the water, which will only be temporary as long as air can get in there. The problem with the front could be a couple of things. First of all I hope the trailer does not have a front window or that could be the issue. Putting windows at the front of RV's is the stupidiest idea they ever came up with. It's like having a hurricane with 70 MPH winds and rain pounding against it. Also, especially if it does not have a wrap around fiberglass nose, it could be the caulking on the side trim. Or it could be the transistion between the roof and the nose. I would get up there and inspect the transition seam. Once it is off warranty, it can be a good idea to run a 4 inch strip of eternabond tape across there.

    Or, best case scenario, it couldl be as simple as an access door not sealing properly. That one you can test by playing a hose over it. Even better if soembody can climb inside with a flashlight as you do it.

    As somebody else mentioned, on a 3 motnh old trailer, your chance of rot is pretty low. How many houses under construction have you seen sitting in the rain? You need heat and no air circulation for rot. You want this looked at before summer.
  • Turbo_Diesel_Du's avatar
    Turbo_Diesel_Du
    Explorer
    May 10, 2014
    Even tho I bought the one year extended warranty on my Forest River, Had my Grandson climb up there and seal from side to side the transition seal where both caps are with 4" Eterna Bond.. One year old this week. Other than a hiccup between the dealer/me and factory, all seems to be well. Wanted to buy two tires for my boat trailer and Discount Tire said they wouldn't sell/mount car tires but had to go with trailer tires. Never worn out a tire on a boat trailer, usually they just weather rot. Went with Maxxis rather than the Carlisles they wanted to sell me. LOL
  • TXiceman's avatar
    TXiceman
    Explorer II
    May 10, 2014
    Slide awnings are a poor substitute for a properly sealed slide out. A properly installed slide will not leak.

    The problem with slide awnings is they flap in the wind and are noisy, they tear, they pool rain water and so on.

    The dealer needs to find the leak and repair it. It could be poor caulking or a damaged slide seal.

    As for now, get a wet/dry shop vacuum and suck as much water as you can out of the carpet. They get fans blowing on it to dry it. If your subfloor is particle board, MDF or chip board it haas probably already started to come apart. I'd have the dealer pull back the carpet and check the subfloor.

    Ken
  • wmoses's avatar
    wmoses
    Explorer
    May 10, 2014
    Tequila wrote:
    First of all I would have a slide topper awning installed if you do not have one already. Why they sell RV's without them I will never know.

    Because there are some folk who somehow think that they are a bad thing. I am pleased with my 3 and that was one of the features that made me buy the RV I have. Slide toppers are not the be all and end all when it comes to leaks, however. The slideout seals have to be in good condition first. AAMOF, the slide toppers are more for debris and leaves etc, than leaks as rain often falls sideways and will easily wet the area under the toppers.
  • 2112's avatar
    2112
    Explorer II
    May 10, 2014
    I have had the two leaks you described.
    The top slide seal was not properly caulked between the seal and the exterior wall. They removed, cleaned and recaulked. Has not leaked since.

    The front pass-through hatch leaked at the frame. I removed it, cleaned, caulked and has not leaked since.

    As far as damage, dry it out as quick as you can. I have had many leaks over the years and nothing rotted away. You just have to address them asap. Ignore a leak and your camper is doomed.

    Don't stress over it. Repair and Enjoy. That's part of the game.
  • 2112's avatar
    2112
    Explorer II
    May 10, 2014
    Tequila wrote:
    Why they sell RV's without them (toppers) I will never know.
    Because I, for one, do not what them?
  • Road_Runners's avatar
    Road_Runners
    Explorer
    May 11, 2014
    Yes include me as one who wouldn't have slide awnings. For me, they are not needed. They would just be something else to repair.

    But, then we are not ones to stay anyone place very long. Our fiver, that we purchased new, now has over 100,200 miles on it and it is still going strong. We have the truck and fiver inspected and repaired for another summer jaunt. We are now packing the fiver with clothes, food, tools etc. We will be running the road again soon.
  • uintafly's avatar
    uintafly
    Explorer
    May 11, 2014
    Thanks for the advice folks. I decided to wait until Monday to take it into the dealership so I can talk with the service manager. I was able to use a couple fans and get things dried out. Interestingly enough it dried out over night while it was raining. But this time the slide was out. Seems like the main leak at least slows down if not stops when the slide is extended.

    I hate to be too demanding but the carpet is stained now so I guess I will have them replace it. This will also force them to get underneath and ensure that everything is dry down below.

    Another question though: if the leak is near the roof section, the water would have to leak in and drain through the length of the wall. Is it even possible to get in there and dry that out? Of do you just kind of hope for the best as far as delamination in the future?

    Eternabond seems like a good idea along some of the major seems.

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