Forum Discussion

museumman's avatar
museumman
Explorer
Jun 04, 2017

water leaks

I have been researching travel trailers for over two years off and on and am now within a few months of needing to make a decision. Just about the time I think I have it all clear on floorplan, materials, methods of construction, etc. I find my self back at ground zero, starting fresh. I guess I would truly be a salesman's nightmare if I were actually shopping at this point in time,
I feel like I know as much as I did when I started! About fifteen years ago I happened to be in a courtroom when a guy was sueing a company to recover the cost of replacing a leaking roof on a travel trailer. The dishonesty of the seller being sued, and who subsequently lost the case, was shocking. Brand new travel trailer not used for two years due to leaking roof and no resolution to the problem other than the owner paying for a new roof!
Since then I have become aware that perhaps water leaks are possibly the most frequently occurring issue with travel trailers.
I was reading a long discussion about aluminum vs wood framing and realized that the one common thread was that leaks were, once again, the real issue because of all the other wood parts.
I thought that perhaps buying a unit with a walk on roof would be a step in the right direction. I actually only looked at units with
roof ladders, assuming that they would have the strongest roofs. I am still not sure if that has any bearing on reducing the potential for leaks. Just seems to me that after all these years of manufacturing travel trailers, the manufacturers would have figured out how to build leak proof units. My house doesn't leak! My cars don't leak! My boat hatches and portholes etc. don't leak.
I have been a boat owner for many years and I have learned to do a lot of my own maintenance, some normal preventive and some innovative. I am beginning to think that one must accept the fact that constant care and maintenance is also a pre=requisite to owning a travel trailer. I.E. leak detection and knowledge of the best methods of prevention and repair etc. I assume that an airstream would be the best bet but then they are a bit out of my price range.
Ok, with that little diatribe, which manufacturer is on his game with solid construction?

10 Replies

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  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    Jun 16, 2017
    I've had 2 trailers and neither had a roof leak. Some of it is maintenance. Some is common sense.
  • IBcarguy's avatar
    IBcarguy
    Explorer
    Jun 16, 2017
    colliehauler wrote:
    You said it best yourself, (constant care and maintenance). Another thing to keep in mind is your house doesn't experience 70 mph winds while going through a earthquake for hours at a time day after day. I bet your mpg would suck pulling your house across the country as well.

    This pretty much puts it in perspective. I agree with all the responses, mostly that if you maintain the roof annually, reseal where needed, you probably will have a leak free trailer for many years. Ignore it, and you're in for trouble down the road.I think you should give priority to layout and usability. You have to like it and it's got to serve your needs. I think sliders are the best thing that ever happened to trailers.
    Anyway, don't over analyze every aspect of it, find one you LIKE, do some research on the brand...and GET it and go camping!
  • YShaheen's avatar
    YShaheen
    Explorer
    Jun 16, 2017
    We've had serious leakage issues with our TT within the first four months of owning it (we purchased it brand new). It leaked at the slide and there was a crack in the hull under the slide. This led to the floor buckling. We had it serviced under the warranty and it took three months. Honestly, I don't think they completely fixed that problem the first time because I discovered a leak at the slide again. We take great care of our TT and my husband is very proactive at looking for problems before they become worse. We also have it covered while it is in storage. Our TT is now three years old and was just used for the eighth time. While camping a week ago my husband discovered the pipe that connects to city water is leaking. The floor is buckled in three places as a result of the leaking. It also leaks at the window above our bed. This window has a cover and has never been opened because my husband wanted to prevent leaks. So, yes, leaks do happen, and they can happen early on. I would research the brand , reviews on that brand, consistent problems with that brand, and generally if people are happy with that brand.
    Do problems happen with TTs? Yes, the quality just isn't there and it seems most manufacturers will not stand by the integrity of their product which is unfortunate for the consumers. So be as educated as you can.
  • colliehauler's avatar
    colliehauler
    Explorer III
    Jun 04, 2017
    You said it best yourself, (constant care and maintenance). Another thing to keep in mind is your house doesn't experience 70 mph winds while going through a earthquake for hours at a time day after day. I bet your mpg would suck pulling your house across the country as well.
  • schoonod's avatar
    schoonod
    Explorer
    Jun 04, 2017
    I have had 4 travel trailers over the past 30 years. After my first trailer I learned to do routine checks each year. I don't know if my first trailer already had a leak or developed one, but the right corner went bad after 4 years of use. I have had only one leak since that time (on my current Blackstone trailer). I found it came from a very small crack in the top corner of the front cap on the trailer. Easy fix with the right sealant.
  • NanciL's avatar
    NanciL
    Explorer II
    Jun 04, 2017
    Stop worrying about the roof leaking!
    I have had two trailers prior to the one I am in now and never had a leak.
    I did examine them once a year and cleaned and put a roof preservative on them.
    Neither one had a slide, and for my take I wouldn't tow a trailer that has a slide.

    I have a brand new 40 footer with slides that is on a permanent site and the slides will remain out, and the second I see any signs of a problem, I will install a roof over them.

    There are way too many other things that can and will go wrong before any roof starts leaking, so make your purchase by the floor layout, not on what the rood is made out of.

    90 percent of the trailers on the road are made out of junk and are put together by workers who have no pride in their work

    Jack L
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Jun 04, 2017
    Even storing under cover here is what can happen. Was supposed to have alum framing...OK the fine print did say side walls but for 4' on the left side there is nothing but 4' of styrofoam and soft wood studs on either side. Friend already had to replace the bottom of the slides with PT plywood. You can see the 1" lap on the slide that has very little calking under them letting the water in.



    No wonder Airstreams hold their value.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Jun 04, 2017
    Trailers are built as cheaply as possible and the roofing material is much the same. Heavier plywood on the roof may help, and roofing material extending over the sides might be a benefit.

    Frequent inspection is mandatory on any brand. My opinion is that the trailers from Northwood Mfg and Outdoors Mfg. are as solid as is currently available. If I replace the current trailer it will be an Arctic Fox.

    I built a storage barn and keep the trailer inside whenever it is not in use.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jun 04, 2017
    Slides do not necessarily leak.
    We have 3, 5th wheel is 11 yrs old and NONE have leaked ---ever.

    Properly adjusted and seals maintained---no leaks
    Maintain seals? I dust mine using an old sock filled with talcum powder.

    Roof leaks.....
    One can be proactive and maintain caulking at seams and/or clean/cover with
    EternaBond Tape ----goes a long way in preventing issues with leaks

    So decide on the floorplan, size, weight and then be 'proactive'

    ALL RVs require maintenance and upkeep.
    More proactive owner is the better the RV
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    Jun 04, 2017
    owned a 2001 BORN FREE it was a well built rv ,and had no leaks . and had no slides to leak .just my opinion if you have a slide? it will leak ,sooner or later.if your not living in the rv,you don,t need a slide.

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