Forum Discussion

penguin149's avatar
penguin149
Explorer
Sep 30, 2021

Eternabond tape on fiberglass sides

My 2011 Jayco X17C has a leak. It’s a HTT and on the front bed the there’s a seam where the fiberglass siding meets the metal trim, water is seeping in. It’s not much but enough that it’s wicking up and has caused some damage. I’m thinking about putting 2” Eternabond tape along this seam to seal it from leaking. Has anyone used Eternabond tape on the sides of their TT? Would there be any drawbacks doing this? Do you think it would look OK? I’m pretty particular about how my trailer looks but I cannot have it leaking!!
  • While you could do that, I suspect it isn't going to look pretty.

    The better route is to remove the aluminum trim, then remove and clean up the caulking that is under the trim.

    Then add new caulking and reinstall the aluminum trim.

    To remove the aluminum trim, you will need to remove the plastic cover on the trim, that will uncover the screws that hold the trim in place.

    You might be able to reuse the plastic cover if it hasn't gotten brittle but better yet, you can buy new plastic cover material..

    Looks like this..



    1" wide can be found HERE

    You will need to measure the width as there are different trim widths.

    The caulking used under the aluminum trim is a flat butyl rubber tape, very sticky when new..

    Looks like this..



    Found HERE for $18 for 30ft

    Do it right the first time with the correct products, otherwise you will regret the results of attempting to remove a product that is called "Eternabond"..
  • Eternabond will work but it is one heck of a job to keep it under control when you apply it.

    I would use dicor next time.
  • X2 on removing the metal corner molding, first I’d check the water damage JD deal with repairing it as left alone will just get worse. Then put down new butyl tape, then reinstall the metal trim and seal with Dicor.

    A good video to watch is this one….. https://youtu.be/PO8EvZ4AAp8

    In it you will see a Dicor corner tape available on Amazon used. If I ever have to do this job it’s exactly what I would use….. https://www.amazon.com/Dicor-CS200B-1-Seal-Tite-Corner-Seal/dp/B0778W37ZD?dchild=1&keywords=Dicor+CS200B-1+Seal-Tite+Corner+Seal+Tape+-+2%22+x+50%27&qid=1626444496&sr=8-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=lo02f-20&linkId=1955b9423a92affab706dfd5d1c137b8&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl
  • I have successfully used eternal bond tape on side of my fiberglass trailer and where it attaches to lower metal frame due to road debris damage. The white tape blended in nicely with my white trailer. Never any water leaks in many years of hard travel.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Gdetrailer wrote:
    While you could do that, I suspect it isn't going to look pretty.

    The better route is to remove the aluminum trim, then remove and clean up the caulking that is under the trim.

    Then add new caulking and reinstall the aluminum trim.

    To remove the aluminum trim, you will need to remove the plastic cover on the trim, that will uncover the screws that hold the trim in place.

    You might be able to reuse the plastic cover if it hasn't gotten brittle but better yet, you can buy new plastic cover material..

    Looks like this..



    1" wide can be found HERE

    You will need to measure the width as there are different trim widths.

    The caulking used under the aluminum trim is a flat butyl rubber tape, very sticky when new..

    Looks like this..



    Found HERE for $18 for 30ft

    Do it right the first time with the correct products, otherwise you will regret the results of attempting to remove a product that is called "Eternabond"..


    I would remove clean and re-calk with the correct calk and butyle tape.