Seals Maintenance

Leb

Hello:

Would someone kindly take me through the entire process of checking ALL seals and other maintenance checks (but mostly seals) please?  Pictures are great, especially with arrows, boxes, etc., highlighting the areas to be checked.  There are drips on the ground at the back of the trailer by the brake lights (plus it rained last night).  Also, how do I post pictures to show problems please?  2018 320s

Many, many thanks.

Sharon_is_SAM

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Leb

Thank you, Sharon.

Leb

Leb

Could the clear bubbles be glycol?  
Also, the picture below shows how much water leaked from the rear of the trailer early this morning after the rains but when the sky is quite clear.  Any help is appreciated.

Leb

Leb

Leb

The pictures uploaded upside down!  My apologies. 

Sharon_is_SAM

Fixed your photos.
I can’t think of anything mechanical that would leak from behind the passenger side wheel except the Alde convectors.  Check under the bed/bench inside.

Leb

Thank you!  I cannot find any cracks or leaks on the bench side.  ???

Leb

How much does it cost to have all of the seals inventoried and checked?

Sharon_is_SAM

I think you need to first identify what exactly is leaking.  Did you see the fluid drain from the rear of the trailer?
If I remember, there is a molded plastic, trim on the rear that can collect water.  How about a picture of the rear?

Bayliss

@Leb, it is not clear if you looked under the bench seat as suggested by @Sharon_is_SAM. Take a look at the below discussion. That is the area I believe she is referring to, because it is a common source of leaks, usually from inadequate or deteriorated caulking in the area of the rear lights (behind the plastic shroud/cover.)  If you had a lot of rain, it may just be residual water rolling down (or built up inside) the back of the trailer behind the plastic shrouds/covers at the rear of the trailer, which isn't necessarily a problem.  BUT, if you see signs of water damage inside the trailer on the wood at the rear sloped area under the bench seat, then that is a concern that needs to be addressed with proper caulking.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/14526/floor-repair-due-to-rear-leak-in-2018-320s#latest

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/8446/leak

Sharon_is_SAM

@Bayliss - there was someone with a 320S that had a collection of water behind the rear plastic shroud.  I can’t find the thread.  It had a nice picture of the rear of the TaB.

Bayliss

@Sharon_is_SAM, I think this is the discussion you are referring to.  Thanks for reminding me about it.  @Leb, you will want to review it as well, because it was what I was referring to as another possibility.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/7120/2018-t-b320s-water-dripping-from-under-rear-trim-and-undercarriage-water-barrier#latest

tybladesmith

I found water dripping from the back of my 2018 T@B 320BD after a rain. I found water pooled behind the rear trim "bumper" molding. I removed them and drilled drain holes and the "problem" went away.

Leb

Thank you all for your insights!  I will explore the problem more thoroughly.  On the topic of caulking, has anyone compiled a list of non-toxic but really great caulking that repels water? 

Horigan

I suggest marine polyurethane sealant, like 3M 4200.  3M 5200 would work, but it's considered permanent.  I wouldn't use anything with silicone since you can't apply anything over it in the future, like when resealing a couple of years from now.

Leb

Rich, a newbie question (and thank you for responding):  For future resealing, will applying a permanent sealant be a problem? or will a less permanent sealant be a better solution?

Denny16

A permanent sealing like 3200, which is designed as a bonding marine sealant, becomes an issue if you need to disassemble it for repairs in the future.  There are nüCamp recommended RV sealants you can get, which is compatible with factory sealant.  That said, 3M 4200 whould work just fine, and with some effort can be undone.
 Cheers 

Bayliss

@Leb, also take a look at this:

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/6393/

As @Horigan has suggested, always use a urethane or polyurethane based caulk/sealant and NOT silicone on the exterior of the camper.  nüCamp uses Geocel 2300 MHRV, a marine type urethane or polyurethane based caulk/sealant, but I am not sure what they use under the wheel wells, but maybe it is the same, only in a black color.   A similar product, which may be more readily available through most RV stores (e.g., Camping World) is Geocel ProFlex RV Sealant.  I believe you can get it in different colors (e.g., white, black, clear.  My notes indicate that the "clear" version product number is GC28800, but double-check that if you are looking for a clear sealant.

If you search this forum (using the search box at the top of each page) for "sealant,"  "caulking," "seal maintenance," or similar words, you will likely likely find plenty of discussions on this topic. 

Leb

Thank you all...I'm taking your suggestions to the bank.

Horigan

You would think that if NuCamp went to the effort to create the seal inspection instructions on how to reseal the trailer, it would include the recommended sealant(s).  It was surprising how much searching was required to get to these recommendations.  I went down this rabbit hole last week.