Posted 2008-06-19 7:04 AM (#85957) Subject: Yiks my trailer is leaking
Elite Veteran
Posts: 648
Location: Coconut Creek, FL
The dreaded "L" word. Its the rainy season and the LQ area of my trailer is leaking. It may sound strange, but it appears to be coming in through the AC and down through the paneling and comes out the bottom of the panel between the fridge...
I was able to cover the AC with a tarp last night in the pouring rain and am bringing a ladder out, some help, new tarp, towels, etc. I'm hoping we just need to recaulk around the AC/roof - anything else we should look for?
Posted 2008-06-19 7:54 AM (#85959 - in reply to #85957) Subject: RE: Yiks my trailer is leaking
Location: Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain...
Pull the outer cover off of the AC. Check the drain hole on the pan. Sometimes they will get clogged and you will just have more water running into the pan that what it has the ability to drain.
Posted 2008-06-19 7:59 AM (#85960 - in reply to #85957) Subject: RE: Yiks my trailer is leaking
Expert
Posts: 1205
Location: Arkansas
There is a gasket around the AC unit where it sits on the hole in your roof. There are a couple of bolts that can be tightened from inside the trailer, you have to drop the interior AC cover. These bolts secure the unit snugly against that seal. This happened to us in a motorhome and that 15 minute fix has kept it perfect for 3 years since the initial inicident. Good luck with yours...
Posted 2008-06-19 8:07 AM (#85963 - in reply to #85957) Subject: RE: Yiks my trailer is leaking
Elite Veteran
Posts: 648
Location: Coconut Creek, FL
Thanks for the replies and suggestions thus far - we will it out after work and I'll report back our findings. Keep them coming as everyone has different experiences...
Posted 2008-06-19 3:40 PM (#86009 - in reply to #85957) Subject: RE: Yiks my trailer is leaking
Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
The AC mfg says don't caulk the seal. Just tighten to spec. On the DuoTherm it is an inch pound torgue spec & they state to replace gasket after each removal. Real world says tighten it pretty snug down the .25-.5" and it will work well. But since you mentioned fridge, remember it has a roof vent too.
Posted 2008-06-19 9:37 PM (#86024 - in reply to #85957) Subject: RE: Yiks my trailer is leaking
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 406
Location: Minneapolis, MN
I tracked a leak in mine to the clearance lights. Water rolls off the roof to the clearance lites. The lites are pop riveted to the structure, that makes a pretty good seal, but where the wire enters the structure isn't sealed.
So all my clearance lites have a bead of silicone across the top and down the sides. I left the bottoms un-caulked to allow drainage should anything get behind the lites.
Posted 2008-06-20 7:00 AM (#86042 - in reply to #85957) Subject: RE: Yiks my trailer is leaking
Elite Veteran
Posts: 648
Location: Coconut Creek, FL
We got up on the roof last night. There is a thick row of some type of caulking covering where the roof meets the walls. It appears to have some cracks in it and we think that is where the water is leaking down inside the trailer. It's a Shadow trailer, so I'm calling the dealer today to see what they recommend.
Is it better to remove all the old caulking/silicone and replace with new or just add to it. And what is the best product to use.
It's an '03 and the hot Fla sun just bakes on it all the time as I don't have access to any type of shelter, so it might be something I'll need to redo every few years. We figure on redoing the whole top to make sure its all sealed.
For now we covered the LQ area and into the horse area with a huge tarp, tied it all down, etc so it won't get any more water on it and we'll work on it Sunday.
Posted 2008-06-20 8:25 AM (#86048 - in reply to #85957) Subject: RE: Yiks my trailer is leaking
Elite Veteran
Posts: 648
Location: Coconut Creek, FL
just spoke to a good friend that owns a Paint supply company (Devoe paint). They have a product called hydroderm that stops leaks. He said to paint on 1-2 coats and let it dry, then paint over it with aluminum enamel paint as it will stay tacky otherwise. He says he sells tons of it to roofers and they all swear by the stuff.
We've used this on many of the City buildings (where I work) to stop leaks and it's fantastic stuff. I'll let ya'll know how it works out.