caulking question

[plasticmaster]

Do the outside corners of an aluminum sided travel trailer need to be caulked periodically? Is this a place of possible water intrusion? Thanks.

[mosseater]

Re-interate! Dicor!!! Puts silicone to shame on RV uses, IMO.

[westend]

Technically, if the corner trim is of the new variety with a molded inner flange, it shouldn't be necessary as water should shed between the flange and the siding. Practically, yes, seal everything. Dicor isn't the only game in town. I use Geocel Tripolymer sealant (makers of Proflex RV) and it works out well.

[PapaNIes60]

coolmom42 wrote:

PapaNIes60 wrote:
Yes. I check all caulked seams periodically. If there are any cracks, clean the crack really good and apply a high quality outdoor silicone caulk.

Yes to the first part, NO NO NO to the silicone caulk. Silicone does not hold up well, and all residue must be COMPLETELY removed before you can re-caulk. Dicor non-levelling is the best type for vertical seams.

I stand corrected! Dicor non-leveling it is.

[realebill]

weathershak wrote:
If you plan on keeping your aluminum trailer for several years, it is a good idea to caulk all the screws. The rubber strip that hides all the screw is not water tight. I took all my screws out one at a time and dipped the screws into a tube of 5200 (the part that threads into the wood stud) and hand tightened them back in. I was amazed how rusty the screws were after the trailer being only 1 years old. 3 years later, everything was good and it was a bonus and helped with the sale when I showed the buyer that all the screws were sealed with caulk.

it's especially important to do that to all the screws that hold the raingutter strip along the edge of the roof. when I replaced all the screws on mine,I was surprised that not only were most of them rusty,they were also loose,not snugged in tight. not only did I dip the screws in caulk,I replaced the old screws with stainless steel.

[weathershak]

If you plan on keeping your aluminum trailer for several years, it is a good idea to caulk all the screws. The rubber strip that hides all the screw is not water tight. I took all my screws out one at a time and dipped the screws into a tube of 5200 (the part that threads into the wood stud) and hand tightened them back in. I was amazed how rusty the screws were after the trailer being only 1 years old. 3 years later, everything was good and it was a bonus and helped with the sale when I showed the buyer that all the screws were sealed with caulk.

[coolmom42]

PapaNIes60 wrote:
Yes. I check all caulked seams periodically. If there are any cracks, clean the crack really good and apply a high quality outdoor silicone caulk.

Yes to the first part, NO NO NO to the silicone caulk. Silicone does not hold up well, and all residue must be COMPLETELY removed before you can re-caulk. Dicor non-levelling is the best type for vertical seams.

[PapaNIes60]

Yes. I check all caulked seams periodically. If there are any cracks, clean the crack really good and apply a high quality outdoor silicone caulk.