Possible leak?

[Decade]

First, I want to ask what kind of material is the outside wall of the Jayco trailer?

My trailer has some uneven bubble type mis-shaped on the side wall, located at the front left above the heater outlet.

I don't see any leak inside, push on the wall from inside, feel very solid.

I checked the roof and no sign of leak.

What could be other possibilities? What else should I check? Thank you.

[JeremyFr]

Originally Posted by Decade

First, I want to ask what kind of material is the outside wall of the Jayco trailer?

My trailer has some uneven bubble type mis-shaped on the side wall, located at the front left above the heater outlet.

I don't see any leak inside, push on the wall from inside, feel very solid.

I checked the roof and no sign of leak.

What could be other possibilities? What else should I check? Thank you.

All depends on the trailer, but sounds like a laminate wall by the description and that the outer fiber glass is de-laminating from the underlying structure.

[RVhiker]

Could you post a picture of the affected areas? Also, are the bubbles located where a decal has been placed?

[Tunce the traveler]

I would inspect the window seal first then I would look on the roof above the heater. Where the front wall meets the rubber roof you'll see a metal strip that's the full 8' width and covers that seam, inspect that caulking very carefully for any cracks

[DocBrown]

It's laminate with fiberglass on the outside. I agree with the others on where to look. As old as that trailer is I'd suspect a window.

[Decade]

Originally Posted by RVhiker

Could you post a picture of the affected areas? Also, are the bubbles located where a decal has been placed?

The picture is hard to show it (I attached a picture anyway). The bubble isn't big but when you press on, you can feel it.

[Decade]

Originally Posted by RVhiker

Could you post a picture of the affected areas? Also, are the bubbles located where a decal has been placed?

Can't really see it from pictures. The bubble isn't big but when touching on the surface, can feel it.

I checked inside, and also underneath (where the storage compartment), I couldn't find the sign of leaking at all.

[DocBrown]

As I thought there is a window right above the problem area. Check the outside seal of that window. Or it could be a small leak on that corner seam. Those are notorious for leaks on older trailers. Even the smallest breach will allow water in over time. Keep in mind that the wall is a layered sandwich: fiberglass on the outside, foam and aluminum framing in the middle, and paneling on the inside. If the water is only coming in on the outside layer of the wall you might not see any evidence of it on the inside.

[bankr63]

That's the golden zone for leakage. Could be the window, the roof membrane attachment is directly above, the seal for the bunk could be leaking, the bunk latch hardware could be leaking.

I would take your unit in for a pressurized leak test. My local RV repair shop does it for about $8 a linear foot and it will find all kinds of leaks no matter how hard to track down. It's kind of like checking for propane leaks; they pressurize your entire trailer and then spray down with a soapy solution looking for bubbles where air is exiting the envelope. Added bonus is the TT comes home nice and clean.

[Decade]

I looked at the windows and the rubbers looks good. I will still try to re-seal it. Do I just need to remove the rubber and reseal? Or I see some youtube video that people actually take off the whole windows. I don't think I have that kinda skill or knowledge to take off the windows.

In fact, it was raining couple days ago, and found that, it's because the top cutter end has dripping water directly onto the wall, and following down to the windows.

I temporarily just use some alum foil to guide the water dripping off the wall.

[Rustic Eagle]

The best way to address a possible window leak is to remove it completely...., actually a pretty straight forward process. IMO don't replace the window seal with the same rubber gasket like originally installed, instead use Butyl Putty Tape which is a more effective seal and easy to work with.

You can also try and use a clear silicone caulk (or Dicor non-sag white caulk) around the window frame without removing it.

It appears you have "Filon" Fiberglass, same as my retired TT.

Bob