Slide Wiper Seal Gap

[Rustic Eagle]

I noticed on my new 24RBS that there is a gap between the wiper seal and the slide roof at both ends...., where my retired Eagle slide roof didn't have any exposed open areas.

Is this corner 'gap' common

It's obvious that a little wind/rain can make it's way through the opening.



Bob

[robkelly]

It certainly doesn't look right, but with that said, the wiper seal on our Eagle sat about a 1/2" above the roof when the slide was fully opened and we were told a couple of different times that it was normal. We never had any problems with it.

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

I noticed on my new 24RBS that there is a gap between the wiper seal and the slide roof at both ends. Is this corner 'gap' common It's obvious that a little wind/rain can make it's way through the opening.
Bob

Neither one of our slides have that gap. I'd probably take it back to the dealer for that one. Maybe larger wiper seals or a slide topper may be in order.

[Rustic Eagle]

TT scheduled for warranty service next Monday.

Along the back edge portion of the slide roof surface there is a "step", or rise (about 3/8" high x 3" wide) that runs along the length of the slide roof. Appears to be something placed underneath the roofing material that creates this raised area.

With the slide fully extended the edge of my wiper seal for the most part is in contact with the "raised" roof surface and appears that it will keep water from getting behind it..., but, the problem I see is the raised surface area doesn't go the "full" length of the slide roof, it falls short by 2"- 3" at each end of the roof thus creating a gap underneath the edge of the wiper seal.

Looking closely at the pic you can see where the "rise" drops off and the gap begins, 3" from the end of the slide roof. My prior Eagle the raised surface area stops at the very end of the slide roof, not before, thus allowing for a snug wiper seal(s) around the corner area.



There is an "inner" seal that actually is suppose to keep any water from entering the TT...., but the wiper seal has a dual purpose of wiping water off the slide roof during closer, and aids in deflecting water area from the area when the slide is fully extended.

I forwarded pics and my dealer's initial response was that something isn't right, possibly a slide adjustment, etc..

I know for a fact if the wiper seal is compromised (folded inward, gaps, etc.) and if enough water gets behind the wiper seal there is a high probability that it will eventually find a way into the RV....., seen it happen 2 years ago with a fellow camper.

Bob

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by TCNashville

Neither one of our slides have that gap......snip

Is there a chance you could post a pic?

Bob

[TCNashville]

Bob, here are the pics you requested. The first photo is with the bedroom slide partially deployed. You can see how the top seal overlaps tightly with the side seal. The other 2 pics are with the slide fully deployed. It seems that Jayco has added some type of foam under the slide roof to help "square" it up and seal in the corners. Both our slides are this way. This may be an option for you and your dealer. Our Eagle is a 2012. Terry

[Rustic Eagle]

Terry,

Your pics confirm my suspicions...., Jayco didn't extend the "rise" the full length of my slide roof as clearly reflected in your photos.

Your timing with the pics was spot-on because I'm hitching up tomorrow and plan to be at the dealership Monday morning...., with photos in hand.

Thanks again,

Bob

[Rustic Eagle]

Follow-up report:

The problem was as suspected, Jayco failed to install the styrofoam riser under the EPDM roofing material the "entire" length of the slide roof.

My RV dealership had to remove (partial) the slide roof EPDM and incorporated additional styrofoam material at both ends of the slide roof thus eliminating the wiper seal gaps when the slide was fully extended.

I will add that Tradewinds RV (Clio, MI.) did a great job addressing all my warranty service items in a timely fashion.

Bob

[FeatherFam]

Nice save - best to find them now while new. This caused me to check ours. We have good contact and seal on both ends. I am preparing to Eternabond our slide roof, hopefully next weekend if the weather cooperates. I am going to pull the black tape that is unravelling, seal the screws and metal trim with Geocel, and then I am going to apply Eternabond across the back and side seams. I am excited to get this done. I hope to do the entire roof seams next. I already got the roof/front cap seam. I lack the sides and rear wall.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by FeatherFam

Nice save - best to find them now while new. This caused me to check ours. We have good contact and seal on both ends......snip

Depending on the model and fully extended resting motion of the Jayco slide, some slides have the styrofoam "riser" and others don't. Jayco references the importance of the wiper seal in the Owners Manual:



Bob

[Rustic Eagle]

My problem with the slide roof corner gaps seemed to resurface shortly after arriving at my southern winter destination last December. Although not as bad as the original corner gaps (refer to earlier posts) that my RV dealership originally repaired, but enough to need further attention.

Dropped my TT off at my RV dealership on April 12th (pre-scheduled), but unfortunately I'm still waiting for the 2nd repair to be completed. I was advised on May 3rd that Jayco sent the incorrect parts which were shipped and waiting at the dealership prior to my pre-scheduled April drop-off, so new parts (styrofoam) are on order.

Left side:



Right side:



I hope the repair is completed soon because I have camping reservations starting in 2 weeks that were made this past January.

Bob

[Rustic Eagle]

Update....

Dealer installed new styrofoam riser and new EPDM (provided by Jayco). The finished repair did close the end gaps better then the prior repair, but there still is a very slight opening on both ends. I can close the gaps manually by pushing the horizontal wiper inward slightly, but in doing so the wiper seal is now standing vertical eliminating adequate resistance against the EPDM roof surface.

IMO this isn't my dealership's problem at this point, it's a Jayco manufacturing problem......, they need to come up with a specific design and/or replacement part fix (longer wiper, taller styrofoam riser, etc.).

Numerous "new" Jayco Jay Flight products with slides have issues with slide roof/wiper seal end gaps based on my observation at my dealership's lot.

The roof/seal end gaps can be an open invitation for water intrusion if the TT isn't leveled in favor of directing a heavy rain flow away from the slide roof wiper seal.

Referencing my prior post #10...., how can Jayco expect the owner to insure that the corner seals are "positioned to avoid water penetration" when it's physically impossible to do (roof surface)?

Bob

[Crabman]

Definitely still a gap there Bob.
It looks almost like the slide needed to have squared corners instead of rounded, and perhaps a bit taller to ensure a proper fit?

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Crabman

snip.......It looks almost like the slide needed to have squared corners instead of rounded, and perhaps a bit taller to ensure a proper fit?

I agree on all points......, gap subject has been one of the more disappointing issues with this TT.

Bob