Pressure Tested Camper Leaks Found

billyray50 wrote:
I just emailed a Seal Tech certified location for info regarding testing for my TC.

As much as I'm not all that comfortable with Camping World's service, most CW's with service facilities have the Seal Tech / Seal Tite equipment on hand.

Not much technical involved other than the positive pressure blower (fits in a standard 14 x 14 roof vent opening and a spray bottle of soap / water solution and a grease pencil to mark the areas that need attention.

Far as doing the actual remediation of the failed areas where the caulk / seals are compromised, my persoanl opinion is, it's a DIY operation. I don't particularly trust (CW) to do the caulk / seals properly.

Myself, I'm a leaf blower, cardboard person and of course a spray bottle of suds and a grease pencil. Not difficult to do.

I just emailed a Seal Tech certified location for info regarding testing for my TC.

Joe417 wrote:
My Arctic Fox had the same exact locations leaking as yours plus a few more. I could push it in about 1/4" on one side at the point where yours has the most bubbles. About 10" x 10" slightly delaminated.

I saw all this before buying it so was not a shock. I planned on rebuilding all the issue.

We dried it all out and cleaned all the leaks up and recaulked with plans to repair it "next spring". That was 4 years ago.

I enjoy a good project but, after recaulking we've had no more leak issues and have enjoyed using it. I've decided since the leaks have been stopped and delaminated area is minor and isn't getting worse I'm not going to correct the problems until we decide to trade it off.

Also, looking at a northern light last year, a dealer pointed out all the defects in my TC, which I already knew, and then offered me more than I have in it on trade.lso, looking at a northern light last year, a dealer pointed out all the defects in my TC, which I already knew, and then offered me more than I have in it on trade. So I think in general these small issues won't make much difference in our using it.

I would have an issue with that far as the dealer was concerned. So the dealer takes it on trade and resells it and passes the issue off on an unsuspecting buyer. That is (in my opinion) not an honest dealer.

The 'pass it on down the line' mantra is what pisses off people that don't know any better. 'Buyer beware should not have to be that.

I'm a 'Firm Believer' in a blower door test. I even asked the moderator to make one of my posts a 'sticky' but they didn't want to. Not hard to accomplish and CW (of all places) has the equipment (Seal Tite System) to do it for you but not being that difficult I think it should be done at least once yearly... and as soon as you take delivery of a new unit or as a pre delivery inspection.

Far as the trim (aluminum extrusion that won't 'let go', a heat gun will expedite the process.....

The big issue with almost every RV but especially TC's is that 'nose' where the bunk is, is taking a beating in any rainstorm with the water pounding on it at 60 mph plus and it there is the slightest caulk defect, it's going to get is and do it's 'dirty work'.

Big thing is, it may look 'peachy' on the outside, but under the skin, where you cannot see anything, that water is causing the frame to rot away, wetting the insulation and growing mold and when it finally becomes apparent by showing itself in the interior corners, inside cabinet corners or the seam between the floor and the sidewalls. the rot has really advanced.

I'm totally against any builder using glass wool bat insulation. I totally prefer Styrofoam sheets because the Styrofoam won't retain moisture (from water intrusion) like spun glass wool insulation will.

My personal opinion is that if everyone got their leaf blower out and did a positive pressure test, I'd be willing to bet that a high percentage of owners have intrusion leaks.

Keep in mind that the nose (forward facing seams) are the most important as well as any forward facing clearance lights. Roof vents and roof cut out areas next. The comes side windows and ports, especially seams and laps facing forward.

Pretty disappointing to find out your big investment is rotting away on you because of water intrusion. Only one way to find out and only one way to be pro-active about it, positive pressure test.

You would think that reports like this would mean the end of Artic Fox. No one would buy from them. Unfortunately it seems that poor design and poor construction techniques are par for the course for the entire RV industry.

We need to see a foreign manufacturer enter the market with a well made product. The RV industry needs a big shake up similar to what happened to the car industry in the 60s.

In the meantime it seems all we can do is to frequently check every seam and seal on our RVs. I have caulk on top of caulk. I have even pulled out many of the screws, checked for rust and replaced them with a stainless steel screw with the threads coated with sealant.

My Arctic Fox had the same exact locations leaking as yours plus a few more. I could push it in about 1/4" on one side at the point where yours has the most bubbles. About 10" x 10" slightly delaminated.

I saw all this before buying it so was not a shock. I planned on rebuilding all the issue.

We dried it all out and cleaned all the leaks up and recaulked with plans to repair it "next spring". That was 4 years ago.

I enjoy a good project but, after recaulking we've had no more leak issues and have enjoyed using it. I've decided since the leaks have been stopped and delaminated area is minor and isn't getting worse I'm not going to correct the problems until we decide to trade it off.

Also, looking at a northern light last year, a dealer pointed out all the defects in my TC, which I already knew, and then offered me more than I have in it on trade. So I think in general these small issues won't make much difference in our using it.

Ranger Tim wrote:
Bummer. Makes me want to do the same test.

You may want to. In fact, maybe add it to the list of annual things to do to the camper.

I now believe a pressure test should performed immediately after taking delivery of any camper. It would certainly avoid a lot of headache and frustration for everyone involved. Maybe manufacturers should incorporate it as part of the final inspection. Heck, make it part of the PDI. Catch it long before it becomes a big problem.

Bummer. Makes me want to do the same test. I don't trust anyone to make anything these days. Don't get me started!

A little. My guess is it started somewhere near the top and worked its way down. I just hope it's not more than I can handle.

I feel so bad for you. This has got to be beyond discouraging.