Evidence of water intrusion

helens · May 7

Hi all, We have a 2022 320S. I have noticed areas that appear, to me to be water intrusion, yet I need assistance identifying the source. I'll try to post pics.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/4d/ua8pxn0yew0e.jpg

helens · May 7

another image

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/7j/uszitvaidxto.jpg

helens · May 7

and last

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/ud/ryxt86lrcwqn.jpg

helens · May 7

The first shows delamination.The second is looking at the door jamb. and the third is inside the storage area under the bench.
If anyone can point me in the correct area to look, i would greatly appreciate the help.

EasternJL · May 7

On my 2024 (since sold), we had a door that didn't seal properly-- though no water got in. In your situation, with water getting past the door jam/interior threshold, I might begin to think that water is coming in around the wheel well and not from around the door. I suppose it's possible for water to get in around the door and then make it back inside to that spot by the rug, but it would seem less likely. There is a window there that could (theoretically) be leaking due to caulk issues, but it's hard to say. I'm going with either the door seal or coming up around the wheel well during travel.

Also, I'm assuming there have been no water balloon fights inside the camper.

Yoshi_TAB · May 8

Hi,

A few common areas to check are (1) the interior wheel wells (2) The nautalis compartment seams to the inside (you can see where it's caulked) (3) the upper vent on the outside and it will drip down into the "electrical" wheel well area.

Have you ever noticed water after it rains looking in all the compartments, behind drawers, etc. I would try hosing down the exterior one side at a time and and conduct an inspection. Caulking can seperate after a few years in the environment a trailer experiences bouncing down the road. Hope you find it.

Gomers2 · May 8

You might try a water test, something they occasionally resort to in the roofing biz. Have someone sit inside while you hose down the areas you suspect. Work from low to high as you soak the various exterior penetrations. Would be worth a shot.

rfuss928 · May 8

As these trailers roll and bounce down the road the body flexes and deforms slightly. In our 2009 T@B CS and much less but also in our 2023 UT CSS this body motion causes the door seal to leak. You can see the effect by pushing out on the latch side bottom corner of the door and noting how easy it is to get a quarter inch outward motion or more without much effort, There is also evidence on the white door jambs on our UT near the lower hinge where dirty road water has gotten past the outer seal where the hinge plates crush the seal.
Bottom line for us: We have a long established habit of putting a rolled up towel on the threshold so it rests against the door if there is any chance we will be towing in the rain. There is a designated "door towel" that also works well as the dog towel when needed. Not elegant but reasonably effective.
The wet areas shown in the photos of the OP look very familiar from our experience. The damage and stains are worse nearest the door on the front cabinet bottom and the front of the bench bottom gets wet and water gets under and wets the front of the wheel well seam.
I have heard others at T@B gatherings speak of similar experience for years.

helens · May 8

Thank you for contributing. We went out tonight and did the flashlight inspection. Light was visible at the lower corner of the door and the stripping doesn't go to the bottom. We also saw how the bottom of the door could easily bow out and allow water in while driving. No visible light in the wheel well from inside or outside. Since the door jamb area was the first noticeable, I would bet money on heavy downpours allowing water into the jam, and then the wood wicking it back to the end of the bench. Totally makes sense to me at least. I'll be searching for some weather stripping to place at the bottom of the door and then conduct a hose test. The door towel is also a good tip. Thank you all.

EasternJL · May 8

@helens Those doors leave a lot to be desired. They are hard to fully close, and ours was warped in a way that it left the gap at the bottom I mentioned previously. The fix at Nucamp is typically just bending the door to try and make it close tightly all around. I did a bit of this on our camper and adjusted the hinges to try and get the best fit possible. Was never perfect (because it's not a great door), but it helped. I didn't have water coming in, but it bothered me to see light coming in around a fully closed door on an expensive new camper.

Nucamp uses 3M 08008 (door gasket sealant) around the doors-- it's the goopy black stuff you see gooped in the corners. Looking at your picture-- it looks like you might need a bit at the corner. Warning though-- that stuff is the devil to work with, so be prepared for some cleanup. It works great though and sets up quickly (I practiced with some scrap gasket in my garage first). Also, they use Geocell Proflex most other places (clear caulk). I think I got this stuff from an RV dealer.

elbolillo · May 8

As @rfuss928 mentioned these doors are prone to leakage while going down the road. Our previous '21 Tab 320 leaked and I took the entire door apart to dry it out and reaseal everything. Long story short, I was able to minimize the leakage but still had some. Towel in front of the door when we are expecting rain, even now in our '23 Tab 400 as it also leaks.

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