Seam sealing and leak questions
Hi all, first time owner of a travel trailer. Recently bought a used '98 Flagstaff by Forest River 21RB, 21ft. Considering how old it is, it's in really good shape. Previous owner kept it under cover and maintained it pretty well.
Although, I'm thinking that since it was kept under cover he never noticed that there's a small leak somewhere ooorrr just failed to tell us when we bought it. Either way, there's a leak somewhere that I can't find.
There's a bed in the back left corner of the camper and I've found that after a heavy rainstorm this past week, the plywood under the bed just in the corner is wet. Mind you, I went out during the rainstorm for the sole reason to check the camper for leaks and I did not see nor feel any water anywhere...until later that day when I picked up the mattress and saw the spot. :/ Thankfully, it wasn't massive considering the amount of rain we got.
I'm currently in panic mode wondering how long this leak has been going on, how much damage it's caused, how to fix it if I don't know where it's coming from...etc, etc.
One thought is that the seals or the roof is leaking. I've been researching eternabond and also replacing the seals along the edges of the camper. My seals run the entire length of the camper, as I'm sure most do. One option is to replace the butyl tape under the metal runner, but I'm afraid that when the previous owner sealed the roof he may have covered part of the metal track and it will be nearly impossible to remove (if that makes any sense). My thought is to run a strip of eternabond over the entire length of the seal along the edge. It may not look as pretty but it will be much less of a hassle and will probably hold up longer. Anyone have any thoughts on this idea?
Another area would be the windows. Would caulking around them prevent any leaks or am I just delaying the inevitable of having to take the window out and use butyl tape to really seal them?
Any other thoughts about where the leak could be coming from?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have a million other questions, but I'll save them for another post. Thanks all!
Although, I'm thinking that since it was kept under cover he never noticed that there's a small leak somewhere ooorrr just failed to tell us when we bought it. Either way, there's a leak somewhere that I can't find.
There's a bed in the back left corner of the camper and I've found that after a heavy rainstorm this past week, the plywood under the bed just in the corner is wet. Mind you, I went out during the rainstorm for the sole reason to check the camper for leaks and I did not see nor feel any water anywhere...until later that day when I picked up the mattress and saw the spot. :/ Thankfully, it wasn't massive considering the amount of rain we got.
I'm currently in panic mode wondering how long this leak has been going on, how much damage it's caused, how to fix it if I don't know where it's coming from...etc, etc.
One thought is that the seals or the roof is leaking. I've been researching eternabond and also replacing the seals along the edges of the camper. My seals run the entire length of the camper, as I'm sure most do. One option is to replace the butyl tape under the metal runner, but I'm afraid that when the previous owner sealed the roof he may have covered part of the metal track and it will be nearly impossible to remove (if that makes any sense). My thought is to run a strip of eternabond over the entire length of the seal along the edge. It may not look as pretty but it will be much less of a hassle and will probably hold up longer. Anyone have any thoughts on this idea?
Another area would be the windows. Would caulking around them prevent any leaks or am I just delaying the inevitable of having to take the window out and use butyl tape to really seal them?
Any other thoughts about where the leak could be coming from?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have a million other questions, but I'll save them for another post. Thanks all!
