Vinyl Trim Strips - please help!

[I-Can-Am-Can-Yo]

Friends,

I come to you in desperation. I’ve been fighting the inevitable and venerable cabover leak. 2015 Coachmen Freelander. I know this type of entry level construction is prone to leaks, but it was in our budget and we love our little bus.

I spent 2 grand at my local dealer chasing this leak and repairing the front wall. The front seam had failed despite having Eternabond tape. That’s another story.

The leak is still there. Seems like water is coming UP from the bottom, as the ceiling and walls up high are dry. No moisture. Water can travel, though so it’s frustrating.

I was able to determine a point of entry in the trim screws. Seems the vinyl trim strip was acting like a funnel collecting water at the bottom and holding it. It made its way past the screws and inside. When I removed the vinyl strip, a tremendous amount of water poured out. I found this to be the case for most of this awful plastic ****, so I removed it from around the roof and cabover.

I resealed the screws with new stainless and 3M 4200. The edges were sealed with Geocel by the dealer. I believe I’m water tight again.

My question is, does this cheap vinyl trim serve any function other than cosmetics? I’d rather not put it back on. I’m okay with the aesthetics. Can I put it in the trash and never look back?

Thanks in advance.

P.S. this is the stuff: Camco Vinyl Strip Trim Insert

[BFL13]

The bead that the screws hold down is supposed to go over a length of putty (of the proper width) you buy for that job. That is what keeps the joint water tight, and the screws have to go through the putty.

If there is a leak at the bead, IMO don't just cover the screw heads. IMO the putty underneath has lost its seal and the whole thing needs to be redone.

I have seen blobs of silicone on top of the screws in the OEM bead job. I am dubious that does any good, since it is the putty underneath that is supposed to make the seal.

The vinyl strip is just supposed to be for looks to cover the screws. I have gone over to using black vinyl for that after wasting a lot of time trying to clean the mould etc off the white vinyl the rig came with.

[I-Can-Am-Can-Yo]

Thanks for the replies. It’s now in the trash. Good riddance.

[Lwiddis]

I’m all for the drain path suggested by Drew.

[the_bear_II]

I got rid of mine as it began shrinking with age....it's for looks

[Tyler0215]

Toss 'em. They are only for looks.

[DrewE]

It's primarily aesthetic, though it does provide some limited protection against the elements for the screws. With stainless screws that's not so much of a concern. With non-stainless fasteners, it probably helps keep the heads from rusting away prematurely.

You could put trim on and leave a gap/hole at the low point(s) to give a path for any water that gets in to get out easily.