Forum Discussion

fortytwo's avatar
fortytwo
Explorer
Nov 02, 2013

Cabover leaks - Would This Work

The current horror story thread detailing Coachman Leprechaun cabover leaks is unfortunately representative of very common class C events. Poor workmanship, combined with design incompetence are almost always present. After you own one locating, fixing, and keeping the leak fixed are difficult and often ugly.

There have been discussions of applying pickup bed liner material as a fix for pesky roof problems. Could that be a viable long term solution for the manufacturers inability to deliver leak free cabover units?

I discovered a Coachman class C I really like; no leaks yet; but the seam design is a leak waiting to happen. The selling dealer does not dispute my analysis, and said cabover seam leaks were a frequent problem with Coachman C's they get in trade. I can't consider trading until I identify a way to take the probability of cabover leaks away. I've been RV'ing almost 50 years and simply can't watch for em' and fix em' myself any more.
Class C
  • pauldub's avatar
    pauldub
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2013
    My solution is to regularly inspect and maintain the caulking and I don't use any silicone caulking. Other folks go with eternabond which is probably the most robust solution but not necessarily the most attractive.
  • Oldme's avatar
    Oldme
    Explorer
    Nov 02, 2013
    There are several companies that are doing that now.

    http://www.rhinolinings.com/newsevents/press-releases/2012/rhino-linings-introduces-long-term-rv-roof-repair-and-restoration-product

    http://www.davidspermanentcoatings.com/More_RV_Roofs_sprayed.html
  • Budsmith's avatar
    Budsmith
    Explorer
    Nov 03, 2013
    I just used some of the "as seen on TV" clear flexseal...It stopped my leak but do not how long it lasts..
  • Hank85713's avatar
    Hank85713
    Explorer
    Nov 04, 2013
    get some of the tape used for roof repairs and then seal over it. The tape is pricey but it does work. Cant remember the name but camp world sells it. If there has not been a leak this should be a good preventative to keep it that a way. The tape is used to seal the tears in the rubber roofs, I used it to seal the metal seams on a slide in camper and it proved to be durable. It is silver on one side and very sticky on the other. Yes the pickup bed liner has been used but I think they have come up with another spray that stays flexible. Think rhino lining is the one that has it.
  • DaHose's avatar
    DaHose
    Explorer
    Nov 04, 2013
    Eternabond is pretty awesome stuff, but if you plan on coating over the Eternabond then get the type that has a fabric backing. DO NOT get the one that has the plastic backing. It won't hold onto the top coating.

    Jose
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Nov 04, 2013
    Jose is correct. I put EB's "One Step" tape on our first coach. The aluminum roof was painted white, and we painted the entire coach white after the EB tape was applied. EB's help line says One Step isn't rated to hold paint and in fact it didn't. I didn't care, but after a year or so of looking good it peeled.
  • ron_dittmer's avatar
    ron_dittmer
    Explorer II
    Nov 04, 2013
    fortytwo wrote:
    I discovered a Coachman class C I really like; no leaks yet; but the seam design is a leak waiting to happen. The selling dealer does not dispute my analysis, and said cabover seam leaks were a frequent problem with Coachman C's they get in trade. I can't consider trading until I identify a way to take the probability of cabover leaks away. I've been RV'ing almost 50 years and simply can't watch for em' and fix em' myself any more.
    The large overhang of that bed will work into trouble as rough-road miles rack up. If I couldn't deal with that (which I can't) I would stay away from that type of cab-over design. One leak later on that rig and that great deal won't be great any longer.
  • dumboat2's avatar
    dumboat2
    Explorer
    Nov 04, 2013
    OK, so what I am hearing is stay away from class C's because no matter what the over hang will leak. What I would like to know- is there anyone out there that has had a C for several years and the cab-over did not leak?
  • DaHose's avatar
    DaHose
    Explorer
    Nov 05, 2013
    Seems to me the only Class C's without leaks, are ones that somebody fixed. ;-)

    Bah! Caveat emptor and go for a class C.

    I completely rebuilt my cabover, because of long term leakage. The design just has that as a liability. Even if I bought something newer, I would still get a class C because it's the right floorplan for our needs. I am just a fair bit wiser about what to look for and what I am looking at.

    Jose

About Motorhome Group

38,705 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 14, 2025