Sealing/caulking awning and spoiler

It isn't a "love it or leave it" proposition. It is being realistic about expecting FR to fix something they don't view as broken under warranty, especially since the warranty is long expired. I could have submitted items for warranty work, but the distance I would have had to tow our RP179 to the dealer would have carried costs far above the cost of fixing it myself. Do I think the R-Pod is perfect? Far from it. It has its share of problems. However, I prefer not to dwell on the problems, but fix them if I can so I can get out there and enjoy it.

The spoiler's front side warping is not what I consider a major issue. Some non-sag lap sealant or Eternabond tape would fix that quickly and easily so why continue to harp on that same string? Fix it and get out there and enjoy your R-Pod. The leakage issue some experienced with the spoiler had to do with the wires not being sealed where they go through the roof to the lights. When I took mine off, the wires were well sealed with black silicone RTV sealant so no water could penetrate there even though the edge of the spoiler had lifted. It is also a good idea to have an area on the back side unsealed to allow any water that does get under there to escape. The one issue I did have was not that the edge had lifted which was easily fixed with non-sag lap sealant, but that the screws weren't sealed and when I removed them, I noticed rust on the screws. That also was easily fixed by sealing them when I reinstalled the spoiler.

If you are concerned with the possibility of it leaking, remove the spoiler, clean it and the roof and reinstall it with fresh sealant. Removing is not difficult. After scraping off as much as the old sealant as you can, mineral spirits will remove the remainder without damaging the gel-coat or the plastic spoiler. Check to see that the wires are adequately sealed, then just reinstall the spoiler with fresh sealant. It isn't difficult. It does not take a lot of time or effort. It beats getting angry with FR for not fixing something that they do not view as defective.

In the final analysis, the spoiler needs to not leak. AFAIK, the only opening(s) are the opening for the lights, and the screw holes. Otherwise, letting water/rain just run through should theoretically be OK.

So rather than attempting to seal up the spoiler, it might just be simpler to fill the wiring hole with a good sealant, and perhaps put a dab of sealant on each screw hole, and maybe changing the screws to stainless.

Then if your sense of airflow is offended, maybe put some of that tape across the leading edge.

I'm not meaning this to offend anyone, but am I missing something here?

I'm far from baffled. Having the front end bowing up between screws is not a big deal for me. However, I also don't like gaps in the sealant on the leading edge so sealing it, whether by sealant, some sort of bar to spread the force of the screws to include between them, or by something like Eternabond tape is viable. On your new spoiler, you will find that the foam is going to force the spaces between the screws up and you will eventually end up with the same issue. The plastic of the spoiler is not stiff enough to prevent that, even on the new style spoiler that is straight and not curved at the top. Marwayne's solution is the only one that will give you one that won't eventually have the gaps between the screws.

The spoiler appears to be made of either ABS or polypropylene plastic. While it is rigid, it is not stiff enough to pull down evenly and over time as the foam wants to expand, it pushes the plastic up between screws where mechanical force is holding it down. That is what appears to be causing the issue.

Edit: If the wires are adequately sealed and if there is a gap at the lower, back edge to let water out, then a gap at the leading edge is not a big deal. The water will simply run out through the back end. If, however, the wires were not adequately sealed and the back end is sealed tight but the front isn't, then it would cause problems as water accumulates underneath with no place to go but through the unsealed hole.

Here is my two cents worth. If podders with white spoilers have a problem just think about the podders that have a black spoiler, I bet you can fry an egg on the spoiler when the sun beats on it. With that being sad something has to give, it wouldn't surprise me that there is enough force from buckling that might even pull some of the screws out of the skin.