caulk around tub surround

[anni_g]

My Class C has a shower with a tub surround but the tub part is separate from the surround. It was caulked when I got it & I have been desperately trying to keep it caulked.
This last summer, I took it in for repairs (for other things) and asked the service guys if the tub actually needs to be caulked between the surround & the tub section. I was told no.
Is this common? Is there a way I can determine if they are right?
(I've had issues with this company & at this point I'm not sure if I can trust this recommendation.)
Thanks for any help!
Also, I've had to recaulk it almost every year (it keeps splitting). Is there some other product (I've been using DAP) that would do the trick & last longer?
Again, thanks for any suggestions!
Anni

[ricklord2001]

If you do decide to chalk it make sure you cut out the old chaulk and wait for it to dry. I worked in tile and Grout and it can take 5 days sometimes. After you remove the old wait overnight and feel along the seam and if it's damp wipe it up and wait another 8 hrs and on and on until the seam feels dry, then chaulk and you should have better luck either with chaulk or tape

[cbigham]

Nice tip, I need to redo my starflyte bathroom. Butyl tape product will hold up well, I hope they have flat tape too.

[kevden]

I remember reading a post where somebody had found water damage in the floor under the tub and found it had been leaking at the lip. There must have been a crack that allowed water through. I have thought about using that caulk tape on mine just in case.

[anni_g]

Thanks guys. I can always count on the forums for wonderful help.
Keep up the helpful forums!

[darsben1]

I used

from either Lowe's or Home depot
3 years now since I did it

[mvpmich]

Unless you fill the base with water to where it is above its rim, you should have no problem with the uncaulked lip. If you did you would have bigger problems with all the water on you floor!

[dewey02]

There are folks here who say that you shouldn't caulk between the surround base and the tub because it seals any moisture in. Apparently there is a lip on the tub that goes up behind the shower surround, so no moisture actually gets to the wall.

Some also say not to caulk around the top of the shower surround where it meets the wall, because it has to "breathe" back there. But I did caulk up there because I'm rather tall and water does splash on the wall and I didn't want it running down between the wall and the surround.

[DrewE]

If it's a typical plastic (or fiberglass or whatever) single-piece surround and separate plastic base tray, they generally have the surround part overlap a vertical flange on the base part. Caulking that seam is unnecessary and, as you've experienced, not likely to last well because of the relative motion of the two pieces as the RV is driven and flexes and shifts somewhat.