Question about how the camper goes together

[jwernert]

I have a 30' fifth wheel that I bought used. I've had it for a year and last month found out that one of the seals has been leaking for some time "around the water heater" . Some wood at the bottom of the wall is bad and I'm going to replace it. My trailer is fiberglass front and back, w/ siding on the sides. My question is how does the siding run into the fiberglass sections and seal up so they don't leak while your going down the road? If I remove the screws from the fiberglass cap, will the aluminum siding slide out after the screws have been removed from it? Do I need a puty tape or just caulk to re-seal it when I put it back together? Any help would be great, just trying to see what I'm getting into.

 

[B.G. Smith]

I have a 30' fifth wheel that I bought used. I've had it for a year and last month found out that one of the seals has been leaking for some time "around the water heater" . Some wood at the bottom of the wall is bad and I'm going to replace it. My trailer is fiberglass front and back, w/ siding on the sides. My question is how does the siding run into the fiberglass sections and seal up so they don't leak while your going down the road? If I remove the screws from the fiberglass cap, will the aluminum siding slide out after the screws have been removed from it? Do I need a puty tape or just caulk to re-seal it when I put it back together? Any help would be great, just trying to see what I'm getting into.

You are in the state where a lot of the trailers are buiolt as you know. Most of the sides are built on a table complete then installed on the trailer, the siding being glued to the framework. Can't say about yours though. Your best bet is probably going to be trying a patch job from the inside or pulling the heater and work through that hole. If you arer near any of the mfgs. I would suggest a tour through one of the plants to see how they are put together, it will either amaze you or make you sick. Good luck. bg

 

[GFritsch]

Take it to a RV repair place and get a quote to fix it. If the cost is low have them do it. If the cost is high ask them why and what the repair entails. That will give you a couple of options and more info.