RUH ROH, ROOF REAK! Repair Pictures. 1 & 2
We have been having heavy rains today so I thought I'd head out to the TC and give it an inspection. Yup, a little water intrusion via the fire escape hatch over the bed. Everything else is dry so that's good. Tomorrow I'll get up there on the roof and scrape off all the old gunk seal and clean the area real well with solvent then recoat around the hatch with elastomeric roof sealant. I set up the electric heat to help dry things out inside the TC faster.
I can setup a couple boards on the bed to distribute my weight better on the mattress. Then I will open the hatch and stand up through it. That will give me easy access to three sides and ok access to the front area where the lid flips up vertical hindering easy access. I'll take a gander at the other features on the roof to see if they need attention too.
Time for others to start checking for trouble in your TCs too. After a summer of use, twisting and torqueing the TC down those roads to get to our favorite places puts a strain on all those places that can cause leaks. Fix it before it fixes you.
UPDATE 1:
I inspected and repaired the Fantastic Vent, Fire Escape Hatch, and the Fridge Vent Cap. The fridge cap and escape hatch had 1 1/2" wide putty tape over them then a coat of the gray fibrous roof coat. The putty tape no longer bonded to the roof in places and was lifting, allowing water to intrude and leak into the TC. I scraped away all the old putty tape and gray coat down to the aluminum roof. Cleaned everything with lacquer thinner and wire parts brushed the area. Then used a rag and thinner to clean the area then wiped clean with a dry rag to finish. I then got the gray fibrous roof coat and a 3 inch disposable brush to apply the roof coat. I also added a strip of 2 inch wide fiberglass mesh tape to help hold the roof coat together and to span the irregular surface features and resist future cracking. In a week I'll second coat the newly resealed areas.
The cargo/luggage rack mounts, starboard side.
The fridge cap.
The fridge cap removed and cleaned, ready to recoat/seal.
Fridge cap now resealed.
.
Fantastic vent resealed.
Escape Hatch resealed.
Tomorrow, another sunny day and a few other TC related chores. Adding some drip rails over compartment doors to direct water during heavy rains away from areas that need better water control.
UPDATE 2:
There is a chronic wet condition in the left rear corner of the TC. Originally I installed a piece of 1-1/2 x 1 1/2 aluminum angle above the left side rear compartment door. It helped but did not solve the problem. I removed that first attempt and made a new one about 4 feet long to act as a drip edge for the entire lower left wing of the TC. The hope is this wider drip rail will channel more water away from the bottom edge where water seems to follow the curve and get the underside wet.
I need to install a drip edge above the fridge access panel and forward a couple feet into the TC cab over to deflect water away from the fridge and front right jack.
We are going to get some rain again tonight and through the rest of the week. I should be able to report on whether the repairs were successful or not in a couple days.
I can setup a couple boards on the bed to distribute my weight better on the mattress. Then I will open the hatch and stand up through it. That will give me easy access to three sides and ok access to the front area where the lid flips up vertical hindering easy access. I'll take a gander at the other features on the roof to see if they need attention too.
Time for others to start checking for trouble in your TCs too. After a summer of use, twisting and torqueing the TC down those roads to get to our favorite places puts a strain on all those places that can cause leaks. Fix it before it fixes you.
UPDATE 1:
I inspected and repaired the Fantastic Vent, Fire Escape Hatch, and the Fridge Vent Cap. The fridge cap and escape hatch had 1 1/2" wide putty tape over them then a coat of the gray fibrous roof coat. The putty tape no longer bonded to the roof in places and was lifting, allowing water to intrude and leak into the TC. I scraped away all the old putty tape and gray coat down to the aluminum roof. Cleaned everything with lacquer thinner and wire parts brushed the area. Then used a rag and thinner to clean the area then wiped clean with a dry rag to finish. I then got the gray fibrous roof coat and a 3 inch disposable brush to apply the roof coat. I also added a strip of 2 inch wide fiberglass mesh tape to help hold the roof coat together and to span the irregular surface features and resist future cracking. In a week I'll second coat the newly resealed areas.
The cargo/luggage rack mounts, starboard side.
The fridge cap.
The fridge cap removed and cleaned, ready to recoat/seal.
Fridge cap now resealed.
.Fantastic vent resealed.
Escape Hatch resealed.
Tomorrow, another sunny day and a few other TC related chores. Adding some drip rails over compartment doors to direct water during heavy rains away from areas that need better water control.
UPDATE 2:
There is a chronic wet condition in the left rear corner of the TC. Originally I installed a piece of 1-1/2 x 1 1/2 aluminum angle above the left side rear compartment door. It helped but did not solve the problem. I removed that first attempt and made a new one about 4 feet long to act as a drip edge for the entire lower left wing of the TC. The hope is this wider drip rail will channel more water away from the bottom edge where water seems to follow the curve and get the underside wet.
I need to install a drip edge above the fridge access panel and forward a couple feet into the TC cab over to deflect water away from the fridge and front right jack.
We are going to get some rain again tonight and through the rest of the week. I should be able to report on whether the repairs were successful or not in a couple days.
