2009 Jayco 17EXP treat bunk leak

[Jayd976]

As of recently the rear bunk has started to leak, only I’m not 100% where. I just completely recaulked all the seams last weekend and can only figure the main gasket seal has a bypass somewhere. Over the winter I had a TV breathable cover in it and when we went in the first trip on the season we opened the rear bunk and found water damage and mold. We just had a rain storm tonight and as I just recaulked all the seam seals Around the door I went out to check and found water dripping in from the top where the push out pull mounts in the sealing (see photo).

Now I also have a tarp over about 6” of the rear roof and covering the entire rear door. I had the camper tilted to the back to test once I realized there was still a leak I angled it forward and the leak eventually stopped as water was now running toward the front.

Any thought on what it could be? In order to be the door seal and leaking in that area it would have to be right under the gutter which kind of seems unlikely that water flowing down the back would somehow bypass over the gutter to that part of the seal especially being It’s covered.

I haven’t noticed any tears or anything in roof and if it was the roof I’d suspect water damage would be more prevalent in the ceiling somewhere but it’s all dry and no signs of leaks.

[Tunce the traveler]

Now is it coming out of the hole or just under it where the tent end meets the molding ?

BTW it’s called a Shepherd’s pole.

[Jayd976]

It’s coming out between the plastic that holds the canvas and the piece of the 1/4 round wood trim. The hole is bone dry and so is the area surrounding. The water would come out of the area highlighted in photo in different spots here in there but only one spot at a time. I took video but it won’t upload.

[Tunce the traveler]

OK, I have 2 areas that you need to check and seeing this is a 2009 I feel that one thing that needs to be changed is the rubber pad in your door locking handle. Yours have shrunk just enough as to not press the gasket firmly enough against the trailer when closed and that’s why it leaks when closed up. I say that because you mentioned that you checked the gasket that goes around the perimeter and it looks fine.

Don’t know why these pics are sideways all of a sudden.

[Tunce the traveler]

2nd. area is your tent bead is leaking when open ( BTW you are not alone in either of these problems). A way of stopping this leak when open is to apply Duct Tape (in one piece)all along the underside of the trailer top edge and around both top corners and have it cover the bead also. This will stop it from leaking when open. My tape has been on now for 3-4 years and as you can see it’s time for a redo.

Hope this helps you with both problems before your next trip.

And another thing while your up on a ladder or standing on the bunk end door is to remove one of the screws that hold the gutter in place. I bet it’s rusty and that’s because Jayco did not install a rubber washer on these screws and it’s something you should do pronto.

My problem right now is finding out how to correct my sideways pictures!!!

[Jayd976]

I’ll give the tape a go. I don’t have that type of locking mechanism. Mine is a single hole that require a T-bar key to lock the internal mechanism.

[DocBrown]

I have a different theory. One of your running lights, maybe the middle one, is leaking. Easy way to find out is to blast it with a hose. If you sealed it after the leak was noticed there may still be water in there.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by DocBrown

I have a different theory. One of your running lights, maybe the middle one, is leaking. Easy way to find out is to blast it with a hose. If you sealed it after the leak was noticed there may still be water in there.

X2, exactly what I was thinking. Two additional ways to investigate;

Remove the marker light covers, and then remove the mounting screws. If they are rusty they have had water on them. Water can also enter through the hole for the electrical. You may see signs of water in the light fixture. Check the caulking around the lights too.

Another way to look, is from the inside, above the bunk is a funny diagonal piece of paneling, mine was not held up by much. I removed it, and you have full access to the wiring for the marker lights. I also removed the small panel that blocks off the area behind the bathroom wall. As I recall that was a little more work, but not bad.

If it happens to be dry at the moment, you can place a little toilet paper up there, and when it gets wet, it deforms and you can easily tell, even after it dries.

[Jayd976]

As it was raining yesterday and water was coming in I started looking all around including that weird angled paneling you mentioned and it was dry. I didn’t remove it though I can give it a try. But I could see where the water was coming through as shown in pic earlier. Jus don’t know if that’s the low point it was running down to or the actual leak.

The first photo is the leak. Second is how the camper was last night once I angled the camper tilted forward leak stopped. I have to investigate further when I get home.

[Jayd976]

Just got home from work to open her up to give everyone an idea why I believe it’s the door seal. The canvas was completely clean and mold/mildew free before storing it for winter.

[Merrick]

Mold only occurs with moisture. Must be due to that leak.