Window Seals

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   So, on our "test" camping trip we did, we noticed a LOT of mosquitoes were getting into the trailer.  Actually turned into a sleepless night of bug killing and blood sucking.  Looked like a murder scene the next morning...
Anyways, I think I see where they are getting in....the seals on all the windows look like they have shrunk over the years, and when you open the window all the way, this creates a gap in the corners...any bugs crawling on the screen can get in on the top or bottom corner.

I think leaving the glass closed about 1" will solve the problem temporarily (the round corners on the glass creates the gap) but are those seals replaceable?

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Grant177 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 15 Mar 2020 Location: Edmonton, AB Online Status: Offline Posts: 65	Topic: Window Seals Posted: 03 Jun 2020 at 9:45am
	So, on our "test" camping trip we did, we noticed a LOT of mosquitoes were getting into the trailer. Actually turned into a sleepless night of bug killing and blood sucking. Looked like a murder scene the next morning... Anyways, I think I see where they are getting in....the seals on all the windows look like they have shrunk over the years, and when you open the window all the way, this creates a gap in the corners...any bugs crawling on the screen can get in on the top or bottom corner. I think leaving the glass closed about 1" will solve the problem temporarily (the round corners on the glass creates the gap) but are those seals replaceable?
	Grant 2011 R-Pod 177

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288	Posted: 03 Jun 2020 at 9:58am
	Fill the gaps with a little bit of sealant? Dow makes a black, rubbery sealant that stays flexible and seems to work quite well. I'll have to go get the tube to post the information since I don't have it here with me.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Grant177 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 15 Mar 2020 Location: Edmonton, AB Online Status: Offline Posts: 65	Posted: 03 Jun 2020 at 10:39am
	Would the RV place have the sealant? I have to pop by there later anyways. How would you apply the sealant without sticking to the glass? Any ideas? Or perhaps apply it, and then slide a razor blade underneath afterwards to cut the bond?
	Grant 2011 R-Pod 177

marwayne Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 Oct 2011 Location: Edmonton AB Can Online Status: Offline Posts: 1002	Posted: 03 Jun 2020 at 10:42am

	If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd.

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3220	Posted: 03 Jun 2020 at 2:01pm
	Hi Grant, I have the same year and model pod as you. Very early on, I encountered the same issues of mosquitoes getting inside our 177. Was almost ready to get a transfusion after losing so much blood to those thristy critters in the UP of Michigan. Our problem was with the slide. Looking under the slide in the middle is the metal rod with teeth and a rubber piece on either side. Problem was that those 2 pieces of rubber didn't accomplish much keeping bugs out, there was easily a 1" gap on each side, allowing easy access to the mosquitoes. Easy solution was to stuff an old undershirt in that area to block off/close the opening. No problems since then. My only fear is one day I may forget to take it out before bringing the slide in, that would be a messy situation.
	God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Grant177 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 15 Mar 2020 Location: Edmonton, AB Online Status: Offline Posts: 65	Posted: 04 Jun 2020 at 10:33am
	Thanks Jato. Yes, we noticed under the slide 2-3 locations where the large rubber seal just does not completely close against all the mechanical pieces under there. I had placed numerous j-cloths under there to block the larger areas, but next time, I'm doing that, plus a little gorilla tape as well as there were a couple other smaller gaps too. I am 90% sure it was the windows....I could easily see when I opened the windows right to the hard limit, it left a significant gap near the corners....any critters crawling around the screen would be likely to find it and get it. So, hopefully, between leaving the windows open at 90%, the polyurethane (I applied yesterday) etc. the bug problem will go away.
	Grant 2011 R-Pod 177

Woodmiester Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 03 Aug 2018 Location: Greenwood IN Online Status: Offline Posts: 142	Posted: 04 Jun 2020 at 11:06am
	They make a very tough electrical tape in many widths that they use for electrical connections on cell phone towers. I don't know who makes it, but it is unbelievably strong, sticky and resilient. I keep a couple of rolls in the Pod for situations such as these. I have even made some seals with this stuff and has lasted for years. For the bottom of the slide, I cut 2 small pieces of rubber (from a spatula) encased it in this tape then taped it to the existing seal beneath the slide out. Been in place for about 3 years now.
	Swampfox

Grant177 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 15 Mar 2020 Location: Edmonton, AB Online Status: Offline Posts: 65	Posted: 04 Jun 2020 at 11:28am
	Thanks Woodmiester. I started using Gorilla tape a few years back and now swear by the stuff. It's incredible. I repaired a plastic garbage can that had split with it about 3 years ago, and it still holds it perfectly, along with a lawn mower handle and other miscellaneous items. Think I'll be using up a roll or two under the slide perhaps!
	Grant 2011 R-Pod 177

Grant177 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 15 Mar 2020 Location: Edmonton, AB Online Status: Offline Posts: 65	Posted: 06 Jun 2020 at 5:17pm
	So, thanks for the polyurethane tip. I pushed the seal right up to the top on each window, used a bit there (to seal and hold it in place) then cut a small piece of black plastic to keep the polyurethane from the glass, and seal up each bottom. This is a bad picture (but you get the idea). It looks sloppy here...but is actually barely noticable unless you are right up with you nose to the glass.
	Grant 2011 R-Pod 177

StephenH Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6288	Posted: 06 Jun 2020 at 5:54pm
	Looks good! It should hold up well.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS