This morning I started on a simple task this morning (or so I thought) to rewire my back up camera from the factory hot lead to my reverse wire to my running lights wire. That way I can simply turn on my lights to see what is behind me.I pull both rear lamp housings off of my TC so I can see what is what and low and behold behind one of them is wet wires and WET WOOD! Stomach sank.....My mind quickly scans over the possibilities. I had replaced the shower skylight last year and did my yearly roof inspection just six months ago.Then I decided to look at the speakers.....they were sealed nicely to the truck, but each speaker cone was completely torn at the bottom. When I washed the truck last night I am sure a ton of water went in each. God knows how long that as been going on.These are stock Jensen "marine" speakers. I am removing both and sealing p both openings with a round metal/plastic disc. I never use the outdoor ones anyway as there are better bluetooth speakers available for that.It is going to be very hard to dry out, but I'll do what I can.My drying out set up....

Hope you can get dried out!I will buy a trailer with NO outdoor speakers if possible. I dislike them, but if I ever feel the need for them (as you said) there are better options.

I'm surprised Eagle Cap has wood there. Good luck!

jimh425 wrote:I'm surprised Eagle Cap has wood there. Good luck!The is the outside fiberglass, then a foam core then the interior paneling.The side that is wet has a little bit of space between the foam core and outside fiberglass, enough for the water to trickle down. The other side looks to be a tighter seal that prevented (I hope) water from moving down. But it has to go somewhere right? I'm going to pull out some other screws on the jacks and seams and see if there is any moisture on them.

Good thing you found it when you did and your in a good area to dry thing out. I have one of thesehttps://www.google.com/shopping/product/6745205888056456937?lsf=seller:1135568,store:10420836360621222162&prds=oid:6004449790382719909&q=wood+moisture+meter&hl=en&ei=QkW7V6S9DMGGjwPQtamoBw&lsft=gclid:CKfBiLbU1c4CFYdrfgod-zMMjgWorks OK, but hard time fitting it into small places. When I dry things out, I dry till I think it's dry then double the time to make sure. (Found that out after my window sills on my house). While a moisture meter is good I still poke at the wood (ice pic or whatever) to make sure there is no dry rot. Main concern is wood swelling and glue coming loose, leading to delamination. Somebody on here many months ago, plugged up speaker holes with a piece of plastic, then caulked around them, then put speaker covers back on, couldn't tell the difference in his pic's. Seem like a good idea.

I just purchased two 6" in dia 1/16" inch thick solid aluminum discs that I will paint gloss white then glue in place.

BEWARE! Check your outdoor speakers! | Good Sam Community

egarant
Explorer III
Sep 01, 2016
If your cut-out size is 5" you have very limited choices, the better speaker lineups really start at 5.25".

If you can use a bluetooth speaker instead as myself and others hear have recommended, you will enjoy much better sound as well as being able to direct your music where you need to hear it.
Buzam
Explorer
Sep 01, 2016
I checked my Jensen outdoor speakers and sure enough the rubber is torn on them too, dammit. We actually enjoy and use our outdoor speakers, can anyone recommend an outdoor speaker I can replace them with that might actually last?
egarant
Explorer III
Aug 25, 2016
I love the foil backed backed styrofoam insulation CAJW! If I had some laying around I hope that idea would have come to me! The foam worked pretty good, but this would have been cleaner and a lot easier.

Great job!
CAJW
Explorer
Aug 25, 2016
I'd go with the butyl tape as I too hate to use caulking. I took your lead and made a few changes due to my 2 hour round trip to any hardware store for parts. I used the sides of a 2.5 gal jug to block the speaker grills and 1.5" foil backed styrofoam insulation I had lying around which worked perfectly! I did have to caulk the jug side cut outs to the speaker grills, but they conformed to the curve so I don't believe I'll get much if any water past the grills. Again, thanks for the tip, as we didn't use them anyway.
egarant
Explorer III
Aug 25, 2016
Installed

I encircled the entire aluminum disc wth butyl tape which makes a nice seal against the truck.

I do have a question, should I also run a bead of caulk around the outside edge as well? I am sure the butyl tape is good enough seal, but caulking would prevent possible black streaks coming off the tape. I just hate to caulk....
Jack_Spratt
Explorer
Aug 25, 2016
Real nice job, egarant.
I'm also curious how you cut the aluminum so cleanly.
CAJW
Explorer
Aug 25, 2016
Egarant- thanks for the post, I checked mine, thankfully no leaks, but will do the same mod as you. I plan on putting the speaker grills back up with the backside sealed up. I'm sure you've saved some folks from possible future repairs.
GeoBoy
Explorer
Aug 25, 2016
Did you cut the aluminum disc yourself or were you able to purchase from a metal shop pre-cut?
JimK-NY
Explorer II
Aug 24, 2016
Nicely done.
egarant
Explorer III
Aug 24, 2016
Used Great Stuff Window sealer to put back the lost insulation where the speaker where. I will trim it smooth to the surface in the morning.

I pre-drilled the aluminum plates that will install behind the OEM speaker grill.

Here is what the speaker grill looks like with the aluminum under it.

Installation tomorrow!