Where is this water coming from?

[RoyBell]

I was working on the camper last night and it was raining out. I closed it up for the night and had a flood inside.

The water all appeared to be coming from the front inside corner of the slide, like under the carpet. Is it possible to get water to that point from the roof/sides that were wet?

It's a new trailer, just bought it last week. I was expecting a little water, but there was probably about a good cup full.

I opened it back up and left it over night. It wasn't raining this morning so I wiped the sides and roof down, put the coach at an angle and did not see any water drain off. I put it back up and put the slide back in and there was a little water seeping back out from the same corner. I am hoping it was just left from yesterday.

Is there something wrong here? I just don't understand how water on the outside can get to what is essentially under the carpet on the slide. It appears the black plastic wrap is acting as a rain gutter and collecting the water. Is it possible the water that was on the roof made it's way down there when I closed it yesterday in the rain?

It is supposed to rain this weekend and we are making the maiden voyage. I would like to prepare for this and glad I saw what happened at home and was able to dry it up before any damage occurred.

20150612_054825 by RoyBelluomini, on Flickr

[RoyBell]

We went camping this weekend and it rained friday night and sat from 4pm till sunday early am. Flash floods and half the camp sites were completely under water.

No water in the camper. I closed up today while it was sunny out and no water inside. I tilted the camper towards to slide because they were predicting a lot of rain. No issues so I am happy.

[hohenwald48]

Slide toppers should be standard equipment.

[RoyBell]

2012Coleman wrote:

RoyBell wrote:
I will check the seams. I looked this morning and all seemed OK when I was drying it off, but wasn't looking specifically for cracks. It's a new camper and I find it hard to believe it would be cracked.

It has a warranty - thank goodness, so why are you doing anything but hauling it back to the dealer? Good luck!

because why would I drive it 45 minutes to the dealer for them to tell me "you can't close it when it's raining or you will get water inside"?. If this is common on any make and model then then it's not really that big of a deal... I just need to be more careful. I also didn't have the coach tilted so I am sure some water was puddled on the roof.

[2012Coleman]

RoyBell wrote:
I will check the seams. I looked this morning and all seemed OK when I was drying it off, but wasn't looking specifically for cracks. It's a new camper and I find it hard to believe it would be cracked.

It has a warranty - thank goodness, so why are you doing anything but hauling it back to the dealer? Good luck!

[jerem0621]

Just a recommendation...get a step ladder and a water hose, adjust the hose to the shower setting and have someone else be inside...when they see water leaking in have them let you know...you will have found the source of the leak at that point.

I would get the dealer involved but the more you know before you go in the better. Could be as simple as the slide seal was out of position or one of the slide seals has a tear in it.

I have seen the lower seal fail on a Montana in the master bedroom over the pin and the carpet was soaked...turned out to be a small tear in the lower seal + driving rain blowing sideway directly at that side of the RV.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[K_Charles]

The slide is only sealed when it is fully open or closed. When the slide is half way there is a gap between it and the outside wall.

[mbutts]

Since this is a new trailer, I'd definitely get the dealer involved. If it's a manufacturing defect, it would be better to have it addressed before damage occurs.

[kgragert]

If it's a new trailer take it back to the dealer and have them check it out.

Also water can enter an extremely small opening on the, roof, vents, slide out,clearance lights, and then run down the insides of the wall and exit nowhere near where it entered.
Speaking as the owner of a 24 year old RV who tracks down leaks every other month or so. 🙂

[RoyBell]

Thank you all for reassuring me that it was user error and likely not a larger issue.

[newman_fulltime]

RoyBell wrote:
I will check the seams. I looked this morning and all seemed OK when I was drying it off, but wasn't looking specifically for cracks. It's a new camper and I find it hard to believe it would be cracked.

It's not a seam leakit was water on the roof running down the sidewalk look behind the trim in the corner where the seal is

[newman_fulltime]

donn0128 wrote:
More than likely from the slide roof. When you close a slide without first cleaning the roof off, what ever is on the roof comes inside. Thats one reason people install slide toppers.

Vote 3 here

[cyntdon2010]

donn0128 wrote:
More than likely from the slide roof. When you close a slide without first cleaning the roof off, what ever is on the roof comes inside. Thats one reason people install slide toppers.

X2

[RoyBell]

I will check the seams. I looked this morning and all seemed OK when I was drying it off, but wasn't looking specifically for cracks. It's a new camper and I find it hard to believe it would be cracked.

[ken56]

Check all the flashing around the slide. I just had to replace the flashing at the bottom of the sides of my slide because the plastic had cracked and was letting water in. I got to checking all the seams, vertical and horizontal, around the slide and found a lot of separation, potentially letting water in. Look real close because mine was a very narrow bead of caulk. I used a pocket knife to cut out the bad spots and recaulked them. Yearly checking is vital in the fight against water intrusion.