Water Damage Source?

targ
targ
edited December 2019 in Heating/Plumbing & Winterizing
Hello everyone,
Looks like our 2019 320s BDL has developed a leak somewhere.  We have water damage in the baggage compartment right at the junction where the flat floor meets the curved tail.  I've inspected everything in the region and can't find any missing or damaged caulk or any sign of the ingress point.  We also went through some heavy downpours over Thanksgiving week and didn't see any running water during the rains.  So this must be seeping in from somewhere else over time.  FWIW, this spot was visibly clean as recently as six weeks ago.
Any suggestions on where to look for where the water is getting in?

The capacity to learn is a gift; The ability to learn is a skill; The willingness to learn is a choice. | -REBEC OF GINAZ
2019 T@B 320S BD Lite, Jeep TJUR, Jeep JT

Comments

  • mona
    mona
    Tail light caulking?

    jeannie
    2015 T@b S Max  white with silver trim. 2018 GC Trailhawk. 
  • dragonsdofly
    dragonsdofly
    edited December 2019
    @targ, this has been discussed several times. My damage was discovered after our trailers first winter and was repaired during üCamp 17. It was explained that these leaks in the taillights often don't occur during raging downpours because the water is moving quickly over the skin of the trailer, they happen during long drizzly days or as snow is slowly melting. The fix is easy. Remove the rear taillights, clear away the old caulk, including the wire pass through and screw holes. Begin with a very generous application of new waterproof caulk sealing the wire pass through, the apply into the screw holes and reinstall the taillights and screws to seal (I think they used silicone sealant). It's been leak free since then.

    Drivers side rear. Look familiar?

    2017 t@b sofitel(Dr@gonsFly)TV 2015 Silverado 2500hd(Behemoth). Wyandotte, Michigan.
    Draco dormiens numquam titilandus.
  • dragonsdofly
    dragonsdofly
    Passenger side rear.


    2017 t@b sofitel(Dr@gonsFly)TV 2015 Silverado 2500hd(Behemoth). Wyandotte, Michigan.
    Draco dormiens numquam titilandus.
  • targ
    targ
    Indeed.  Guess that's my next project.
    The capacity to learn is a gift; The ability to learn is a skill; The willingness to learn is a choice. | -REBEC OF GINAZ
    2019 T@B 320S BD Lite, Jeep TJUR, Jeep JT

  • targ
    targ
    @dragonsdofly, I finally had a chance to dig into this more this weekend.  I pulled the taillight assembly out and, for the life of me, I can't imagine that's the culprit.  All of the screw holes were gooped up well (even had to pull goop out to get the light off and the screw threads are full of the goop top to bottom). The wire penetration is actually turned down so even if it weren't sealed, it wouldn't leak into the cabin.
    In your picts @dragonsdofly, if you were to look along the floor (from port to starboard) to the seam between the floor and the sidewall, do you see goop in the joint?  Mine only has one small spot of goop so I'm actually wondering if they forgot to seal the entire joint.  Here's mine:

    And speaking of goop, does anyone here know what the black goop NuCamp uses to seal the fasteners actually is?  I need to get some to replace everything I had to pull out to get the taillight off.
    Also, does anyone know what structure is directly under this location?  There is a clear outline of a hole/pocket or something in this picture. And the linoleum (or whatever the floor covering is) is *very* soft and unsupported right here. 

    The capacity to learn is a gift; The ability to learn is a skill; The willingness to learn is a choice. | -REBEC OF GINAZ
    2019 T@B 320S BD Lite, Jeep TJUR, Jeep JT

  • PKT
    PKT

    And speaking of goop, does anyone here know what the black goop NuCamp uses to seal the fasteners actually is?  I need to get some to replace everything I had to pull out to get the taillight off.
      That black goop I'd think is butyl.
  • dragonsdofly
    dragonsdofly
    edited January 2020
    @targ, I watched the nüCamp service employees perform the "fix". After cleaning the taillight area thoroughly, they applied a generous, overly generous amount of silicone sealant to the screw holes and wire pass through holes. They then placed a bead of the same caulk around the base of the tailight trim piece and stuck it against the body of the t@b and screwed it into place. My t@b is a sofitel model, gray trim, gray sides and roof, gray interior. It is a completely aluminum exterior with a matching interior, which is why they used a color co-ordinated  caulk. Since this issue came to light, I suspect nüCamp switched to butyl as it "squishes" to fill voids as @PKT, suggested, perhaps because of this very problem.
    2017 t@b sofitel(Dr@gonsFly)TV 2015 Silverado 2500hd(Behemoth). Wyandotte, Michigan.
    Draco dormiens numquam titilandus.
  • dragonsdofly
    dragonsdofly
    edited January 2020
    @targ, nüCamp service employee also explained that during the most ferocious downpours, amazingly no water intrusion occurs. The angle of the t@b  in the rear promotes quick runoff. However, long days with a slow drizzle allows the water to find a pinhole/s and seep in. We had been in the southwest for weeks, during their "monsoon" rains and a leak did not develop. But since we are in Michigan, we found the repeated slow snow/melt cycles of a perticularly brutal winter caused the leaks. Since the nüCamp repair in July, 2017, we have traveled another 25,000+ miles, both east and west coasts and have been bone dry. I can't guaranty that is the source of your leak/s but it was mine, and several others since mine. I commend your diligence and hope you have success repairing your problem.
    2017 t@b sofitel(Dr@gonsFly)TV 2015 Silverado 2500hd(Behemoth). Wyandotte, Michigan.
    Draco dormiens numquam titilandus.
  • Jackie_Dave
    Jackie_Dave
    We had to replace the gasket around the outside storage door. The leak looks like it could have come from the tail light, but ours was from that gasket. We replaced it about 8 months ago and no more leaks. Just food for thought.
    2018 T@B 320-S / 2007 Toyota Tundra
    Harpers Ferry, WV
  • targ
    targ
    @Jackie_Dave, was there anything obvious that made you conclude it was the door gasket?  Mine looks fine with no breaks, cuts, pinches, or "low" spots.  And it takes a bit of pushing to close the door so I believe it is sealing ok.
    The capacity to learn is a gift; The ability to learn is a skill; The willingness to learn is a choice. | -REBEC OF GINAZ
    2019 T@B 320S BD Lite, Jeep TJUR, Jeep JT

  • Jackie_Dave
    Jackie_Dave
    edited January 2020
    @targ, No. We caulked around the outside of the door, and that didn't make a difference. So we covered it with plastic and there was no water after that. We were under warranty so took it back to the dealer and they replaced the gasket and no more leak.

    The door also shut really tight so that never occurred to us. But I did notice that there were water drops in the middle of the bottom of the inside of the door. Could have been a kink in the gasket before it was originally installed? No idea, but we have no more leaks.
    2018 T@B 320-S / 2007 Toyota Tundra
    Harpers Ferry, WV
  • dragonsdofly
    dragonsdofly
    @Jackie_Dave, thanks. Baggage door as standard came after my 2017, so I  had no knowledge of an additional leak source. Noted.
    2017 t@b sofitel(Dr@gonsFly)TV 2015 Silverado 2500hd(Behemoth). Wyandotte, Michigan.
    Draco dormiens numquam titilandus.
  • targ
    targ
    Reviving this thread. I did end up pulling the light fixture and recaulking everything back there. 

    But there is still something else that is letting water in. That whole area stays damp. 

    I’ve also checked the baggage door seal, side marker light seal and the seal around the external power outlet. 

    So, any other ideas or stories?

    And on a side note, is there any way to get the factory to inspect/repair something like this rather than going through a dealer (asking because I’d also like to get the factory to do the split rear back mod). 
    The capacity to learn is a gift; The ability to learn is a skill; The willingness to learn is a choice. | -REBEC OF GINAZ
    2019 T@B 320S BD Lite, Jeep TJUR, Jeep JT

  • Denny16
    Denny16
    It takes a while for wet plywood to dry out.  You need to have lots of dry air 
    circulation.  Remove all the cushions in the area, open up and expose the wet area, and place a small fan to blow air into the wet area, have the roof vent and a window near the wet area open to aid in air circulation, and allow damp air out.
    cheers
    2018 TaB400 Custom Boondock,  Jeep Gladiator truck, Northern California Coast.
  • Voyager
    Voyager
    edited August 5
    https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/130314#Comment_130314

    I know this is an old post but I have this exact same looking veneer behind the sofa. That’s the way it was when we bought our used 2019 T@b 320. There is no active leak but it was never disclosed to us where the leak was. My question is if anyone has replaced that veneer. If so, was it a DIY project? Was it simple to fix? Was it expensive if it was done at the dealership?

    I understand that it is cosmetics but, if it’s an easy replacement, I would rather do it. I am not sure if painting it would look good either.

    Thank you 🙏

    2019 T@b 320 S 2nd owner

    Nissan Pathfinder

    Central MA

  • dragonsdofly
    dragonsdofly

    @Voyager, no we did not do any repair or replacement to the area. For us the memerely cosmetic damage never affected our ability to go down the road and so we were satisfied that the repair was done. I apologize for the late reply but we don't visit the forum often anymore. Our trailer sits alone in our yard as we have been full time rving for the last 5½ years. Personally, if we could full time with four cats, a German Shepherd and a parrot in our tab, we would. The tab is a much simpler, more expedient and more fun way to travel. Good luck with your endeavors. Good roads and fair weather wishes to you in your adventures. Denise &

    2017 t@b sofitel(Dr@gonsFly)TV 2015 Silverado 2500hd(Behemoth). Wyandotte, Michigan.
    Draco dormiens numquam titilandus.
  • Mickerly
    Mickerly

    This is going to sound strange, but it may be the answer. In my 320CS, I was finding water damage in the kitchen behind the taillights. A very similar problem to yours. It took me a while to find the issue. The aluminum on the kitchen hatch gets cold in the winter. The area around the tail lights is mostly aluminum frame. It gets cold too. The heat is inside the cabin. The moist air we breath out produces condensation on the cold surfaces.

    I would bet the water you are getting at the back of your trailer is condensation from the interior, not rain coming in from the outside. You have a radiator back there drawing in cool air along the floor. You have metal frame holding the back of the trailer together. This would explain more water in the winter and in misty conditions and no water in heavy (spring) rain. You should get more water than I did because your kitchen is inside. It produces a lot of water vaper.

    I solved my issue with daily drying and lots of towels. Just a thought.

    2018 320CS-S
    "Just Enough"
  • Voyager
    Voyager

    @dragonsdofly thank you! You have many pets! 😂

    I just read this myself, I didn’t get notifications.

    @Mickerly interesting thought!

    2019 T@b 320 S 2nd owner

    Nissan Pathfinder

    Central MA

Categories