No Shower Surround

[rvhippo]

I'm buying a new 2015 Jayco X213 and the shower does not have a plastic surround. The shower stall is just what looks like vinyl wallpaper with caulk at the corners. I've noticed that there are several staples through the wall paper. Will these staple holes allow water to get behind the wall paper or rust when the shower is used?

I've looked at five new X213 trailers and they all have these staples through the wallpaper. Two actually had wood screws poking out through the wall paper in addition to the staples.

Is the design such that the entire wall is waterproof or is just the wallpaper waterproof?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Lantley]

No surround would be a deal breaker for me. Simply put, a shower surround is a basic minimum requirement in my book. If the Jayco model did not have a surround I would keep shopping until I found a unit with a surround.

[Mike_Up]

wmoses wrote:
Saving weight these days means selling trailers; its as simple as that.

That's true. It's not just Jayco as I consider them the better made campers. I've seen a lot of other brands without a shower surround.

These makers skimp on these features to keep cost and weight down. On many makes, a spare tire, oven, shower surround, larger propane tanks, DSI water heater, Double door refrigerator, microwave, and such are options that need to be bought in packages or separately. By not including them, they shave off a lot of money and weight, but make the camper pretty inconvenient to use. Had a pop up without those anemities, not having that in the travel trailer.

[wmoses]

pasusan wrote:
We take showers in it all the time - it doesn't leak and still looks like new after all these years. We do use a soft and flexible squeegee on the walls after showering.

I agree. That was what we did (and still do) and the wallpaper on the old trailer was in the same condition as it was after 3 years, as the day the trailer was bought. The wall paper IS durable if cared for properly. Is it as good as a shower surround - obviously not. Is it lighter than a shower surround - absolutely, and that is why it is there. Not because Jayco is cheaping out on their trailers.

Jayco quality is a bit higher than most, IMO, although still nothing to brag about (as is typically the case with this industry). Saving weight these days means selling trailers; its as simple as that.

[pasusan]

Ours does not have a surround - just the wallpaper. There are no screws or staples though. :R

We take showers in it all the time - it doesn't leak and still looks like new after all these years. We do use a soft and flexible squeegee on the walls after showering.

[Tvov]

That just sounds odd to me. We use the shower all the time in our TT. Not having a plastic surround just seems cheap... especially from Jayco?!? They have one of the best reputations in travel trailers. Hopefully they can keep that reputation.

[chrispitude]

calamus wrote:
I glued frp to the walls of my travel trailer. It has worked well for years.

Neat idea.

[Mike_Up]

I passed on models that didn't offer a tub surround. Found out it would be about $500 to install one.

What I was told by the dealer is that the wall paper is waterproof but it will eventually be ruined by cleaning. If you let the scum collect on it and never clean it, it may last. BUT that sounds pretty disgusting. That's a shortcut that should had never been taken but so many companies are doing it on cheaper lightweight models it's hard to get away from.

[dodge_guy]

Our 05 Cherokee didn`t have a surround either. the surround was an option. with everything caulked and sealed it should be OK. I don`t remember any staples through the wall though. even still you could easily dab a bit of caulk over the staples to seal them.

[doxiluvr]

I don't think I would buy it or at best I would have a lot of questions about it.

[gheicher]

Dtaylor wrote:
This company sells all sorts of shower stuff. https://www.randgsupply.com/ (I don't know why but after posting, I cannot access website)

Try www.randgsupply.com. This is without the request for a secure server (https://).

[Dtaylor]

This company sells all sorts of shower stuff. https://www.randgsupply.com/ (I don't know why but after posting, I cannot access website)

[dadmomh]

Over the past few years this question has come up from time to time, so must be the way Jayco is doing things these days. I wouldn't even consider using the shower without some type of surround. The one in our ROO and now in our Rockwood have prefab molded panels that are trimmed with some sort of vinyl seal at the top, but left unsealed at the bottom. Consensus seems to be that is to allow for any water than might get behind to drain out. Also, the shower pan has a lip that this surround fits over, so water getting behind would be a slim chance. Personal opinion is that it not only looks cheap but is just a problem waiting to happen. Adding the surround as suggested above is likely your only choice, but you're going to have to cut and trim it to fit well and be completely sealed. Before signing on the dotted line, I would ask the dealer to confirm that there is no surround available to be added or special ordered. I don't care for the idea of plain wallcovering and water.

[westend]

tragusa3 wrote:
what is frp? I need something on mine!

Fiber Reinforced Plastic--It is sold in 4' x 8' sheets at the Big Box stores. Last time I bought sheets it was around $20/sheet. Pick up the right surround glue when you buy your sheets. Some stores will have it in colors and it usually comes with one side textured, one side smooth.

[tragusa3]

what is frp? I need something on mine!