I know you need a special caulk on many RV roofs, but I have to replace a window on the side of my Class C. Got the replacement window from the manufacturer, and I happen to have several tubes of household caulk (silicon base). Can I use them to do the job or do I need to get special RV caulk? Seems like everything that says RV on it costs twice as much as the regular stuff. Anyone with good advice on this??

Personally I will not use any silicone caulk on my RV. You will never get anything to stick to it again even more silicone. :)

Might be fine, who knows but I would just use the Dicor made for rv caulk.

Silicone is not recommended because it's made for things that don't move.

Use Dicor made for RV caulk. Silicone will not work.

I can't remember what it is called, but there is a special "putty" like material that you need to use to form a gasket between your new window and the body of the trailer.

Can I use household caulk around RV windows? | Good Sam Community

UsualSuspect
Explorer
May 28, 2013
I went through this on my 5'er. There should be Butyl tape that is between the exterior side where it mates up to the exterior wall on the RV. There is 2 kinds of Dicor, self leveling which you do not want, it will run down the sides. You want to use Dicor Non-Sag Lap Sealent. The non-sag will not run down the side and you can use it on the top of the window just as the others are sealed with it.
weathershak
Explorer
May 28, 2013
I had a clearance light leak over a year ago and didnt have Dicor. I used some latex window calk around them. Just checked it the other day and still holding strong.
colliehauler
Explorer III
May 28, 2013
Ranger Smith wrote:
colliehauler wrote:
Use Dicor made for RV caulk. Silicone will not work.

Dicor is good for sealing stuff on roofs. It will self level. It is not good for sides of Rv's as it will flow down the side.
They make a Dicor calk just for sealing that is not self level and stay a bead. Quote: 551 LSW non-leveling/non-sag lap sealant formulated for 1/4 and 3/8 bead. The best way is to take the window out and use the putty RV tape you can buy at dealers, what the mfg uses.
Showme_5vr
Explorer
May 28, 2013
Quad caulk!!
X2
mobeewan
Explorer
May 28, 2013
Yes.

OSI Quad white
Jagtech
Explorer
May 28, 2013
If you're replacing the whole window frame, I would use urethane sealant, readily available at Home depot. Not as good for caulking around a window that's already in place, but best choice when re-installing a window unit.
TurnThePage
Explorer
May 28, 2013
Interesting comments here. I'm pretty sure Dicor makes a product for the "side" of your RV too. Not just the self leveling stuff.

My travel trailer came from the factory with caulk over the tops and sides of the windows, door & corners in addition to the butyl tape that was used during assembly. On top of that, when it went in for factory work, they caulked it again.

I personally won't use a silicone product. I've had troubles with them staying stuck and of course nothing else will stick after that either.
mark5w
Explorer
May 28, 2013
I agree, use the butyl tape. My RV service center stated to me NOT to use caulk.
elkhornsun
Explorer
May 28, 2013
ProflexRV for the side and best to use the Clear type. Use Klean-Strip Industrial Maintenance Coating Thinner (takes the place of MEK, toluene, xylene, Naptha). Good for cleaning the surface before applying the Proflex.
Ranger_Smith
Explorer
May 28, 2013
colliehauler wrote:
Use Dicor made for RV caulk. Silicone will not work.

Dicor is good for sealing stuff on roofs. It will self level. It is not good for sides of Rv's as it will flow down the side.