above cab window leak in a slidein howto?

[JPM]

We have a Fleetwood slidein camper and it developed a leak on the passenger side upper window. It is coming through the panel on the inside so I think it is leaking at the joint between the siding and the outside of the rubber seal. Is there a resource for info on the repair? The RV places in Davenport Iowa are no help, unless someone knows of a shop I could go to? Looks like I could peal the seal out ,I think it is a type that is like a double “U” with a stuffer, so could peal the stuffer out and push out the window from the inside. Any ideas? We’re taking the rig to Colo. In a week . :{

 

[DonTX]

In dealing with leaks in a couple of my truck campers, I would advise not jumping to conclusions as to the location of the leak, most of the time I have been fooled - a time or even two.

Try having someone hold a water hose on the area you think is leaking, might not be there at all. Often a leaking seam in the roof allows water to enter, then run to the lowest point and leak there. My last leak was actually leaking around the entrance of the sat dish cable, and running about 4 feet and leaking around the roof mounted radio speaker for instance.

 

[JPM]

I'm pulling it off the truck today and will take your suggestion, crawling around on top to inspect evevything

 

[JPM]

everything looks good , I puller the "stuffer " rubber seal out and there was water from the rain last night sitting in the leak location, in the window frame. So I believe thats where the water's getting in. I pulled the whole pc out and cleaned the goo off. I bought some automotive window sealer and will try to reinstall the rubber this afternoon.

 

[JPM]

water was trapped inside!!!!

Got the front window resealed, I think I used the wrong sealer on the rubber, but it should work. I used “Quad” caulk on the surround, note; tape off the black frame with masking tape to get the white to black line to look good. I noticed water dripping from underneath, not good. :{So there was water trapped inside. I removed the lower aluminum strip and pealed back the front cover, to expose wet insulation and wood. What a mess. I removed the damaged insulation, blew out the interior space, between the camper inside wall and the exterior siding. Replaced the wet insulation with new and buttoned everything back up.

 

[SBall]

JPM,
I've been following your thread. Having had a similar experience with my camper, I figured you'd find trapped water. I had a leak in the cabover window and running lights and when I started taking the thing apart, here's what I had left ... .
#ad

I ended up making a whole new floor assembly, in addition to scarfing in new side wall framing during my rebuild. It sounds like you may have caught it before too much damage was done. But check out the integrity of that floor too if water got in there!
Steve

 

[JPM]

I felt around as best I could, the insulation was wet but the wood was sound, wow you really had a mess!

 

[JPM]

heres a photo of what I was doing, blowing out the rest of the moisture with a shop vac.

 

[DonTX]

I think I had those problems with every stick and staple truck camper I ever owned. One of the sales points to this Host is NO WOOD! It is an entire aluminum frame construction.

 

[JPM]

I think I had those problems with every stick and staple truck camper I ever owned. One of the sales points to this Host is NO WOOD! It is an entire aluminum frame construction.

Yea I need to look into something like that

 

[DonTX]

When one of your jacks fails because the wood it is screwed into rotted and drops the camper to the ground, you will be able to determine if your body can take that much excitement!

Yea I need to look into something like that

 

[JPM]

Worked on the loose jacks a couple of years ago before the camper fellover

So, Lance and Host have a no wood frame? I just need a no pop up ,no slideout-slidein, 6 1/2' shortbed camper that will hold up, any suggestions?

 

[DonTX]

Worked on the loose jacks a couple of years ago before the camper fellover

So, Lance and Host have a no wood frame? I just need a no pop up ,no slideout-slidein, 6 1/2' shortbed camper that will hold up, any suggestions?

Actually I have not paid any attention to that market slice. I think the aluminum frame is not exclusive to Host, but it sure is something I would look for in your next purchase.