Seal / Leak Test - Event Date: 06 Oct 2017

Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic

   This summer I climbed up top to inspect the seals and found that the caulking appeared to be in the process of "pulling away" from the fiberglass... seal beginning to fail, broken seal - whatever you want to call it. Basically it looks like if you ignored it the caulking could eventually fail. I removed and cleaned just beyond the areas that looked like they could fail and replaced the caulking with what one of the local trailer/rv shops recommended - Dicor Lap Sealant. I also touched up a couple of areas below that would likely not leak anyway but original caulk was applied "generously". It looks a lot better now.  The other area I did was the spoiler - I'd like to yank it off and just get rid if it. It is a very flexible black plastic as has been mentioned that may be slightly buckled where it is screwed in. What a terrible design idea....   So I resealed those as well since some of the gobs of caulk over the screws were barely hanging on or gone! Luckily no leaks yet - that I know of.
This is long winded but I have some time and dry weather and decided to do a bit more up top and the rear window before they failed since it is so prevalent.  After additional research I believe the better caulk to use is ProFlex RV flexible sealant.  
If I could specify exactly what I wanted in a trailer I'd get rid of the R-Pod. Also I asked about trailers that don't require seal maintenance and apparently they ALL need seal inspection and maintenance so I'll stick with the R-Pod-

While there the sales guy said the caulk is just the secondary seal on the outside and what actually keeps the water out is behind the trim - that makes sense to me. He stated the best way to check seals is to bring it in and have them run something like a compression test. They hook up a fan to the door and then check all the areas that are sealed, seams with soapy water and if it bubbles it needs to be re-caulked / sealed. $150 for this test.
He said check it yearly...    sounds like it might not be a bad way to go but it seems to me that R-Pods are not air tight & I don't see how that test can be that reliable. In addition like so many things it depends on the technician running the test.

Have any of you had this type of test done on your R-Pod as the yearly seal inspection?
Advice? 

I'd love to replace that flat rear window with a curved one that opens also.....

Author	Message Share Topic Printable Version Google Delicious Digg StumbleUpon Windows Live Yahoo Bookmarks reddit Facebook MySpace Newsvine Furl Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic
WillG Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 28 May 2016 Location: Oregon Online Status: Offline Posts: 22	Calendar Event: Seal / Leak Test Posted: 06 Oct 2017 at 12:15pm
	This summer I climbed up top to inspect the seals and found that the caulking appeared to be in the process of "pulling away" from the fiberglass... seal beginning to fail, broken seal - whatever you want to call it. Basically it looks like if you ignored it the caulking could eventually fail. I removed and cleaned just beyond the areas that looked like they could fail and replaced the caulking with what one of the local trailer/rv shops recommended - Dicor Lap Sealant. I also touched up a couple of areas below that would likely not leak anyway but original caulk was applied "generously". It looks a lot better now. The other area I did was the spoiler - I'd like to yank it off and just get rid if it. It is a very flexible black plastic as has been mentioned that may be slightly buckled where it is screwed in. What a terrible design idea.... So I resealed those as well since some of the gobs of caulk over the screws were barely hanging on or gone! Luckily no leaks yet - that I know of. This is long winded but I have some time and dry weather and decided to do a bit more up top and the rear window before they failed since it is so prevalent. After additional research I believe the better caulk to use is ProFlex RV flexible sealant. If I could specify exactly what I wanted in a trailer I'd get rid of the R-Pod. Also I asked about trailers that don't require seal maintenance and apparently they ALL need seal inspection and maintenance so I'll stick with the R-Pod- While there the sales guy said the caulk is just the secondary seal on the outside and what actually keeps the water out is behind the trim - that makes sense to me. He stated the best way to check seals is to bring it in and have them run something like a compression test. They hook up a fan to the door and then check all the areas that are sealed, seams with soapy water and if it bubbles it needs to be re-caulked / sealed. $150 for this test. He said check it yearly... sounds like it might not be a bad way to go but it seems to me that R-Pods are not air tight & I don't see how that test can be that reliable. In addition like so many things it depends on the technician running the test. Have any of you had this type of test done on your R-Pod as the yearly seal inspection? Advice? I'd love to replace that flat rear window with a curved one that opens also.....
	R-Podder by process of elimination 2014 RP179 2011 GMC CrewCab Short Bed

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: 6285	Posted: 06 Oct 2017 at 9:11pm
	Years ago I worked for Uniflite (bought out by Hatteras Yachts and then absorbed by ChrisCraft I think). We used to hook up a large blower to a plywood panel that was set in the doorway (filled the entire opening) and then use soapy water to check for leaks around the windows. Even if the R-Pod isn't airtight, the fan would provide enough pressure to check for leaks this way. It doesn't take much pressure. It just has to be greater than the pressure outside.
	StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Tibof Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 19 Sep 2017 Location: North Idaho Online Status: Offline Posts: 115	Posted: 02 Apr 2018 at 4:13pm
	According to the warranty, you had better do this every 90 days! Good luck.
	2015 Pod Hood River Edition 2012 Tacoma Crew Cab 4 Liter