Leaking rear window brand new camper

[Jayco-owner1979]

I just brought home our new 27rs 5th wheel this week. We got a soaking rain yesterday and I realized there is a tiny leak around the rear window at the top corner. The dealer is over an hour away and I live in western ny where salt and snow will soon all be on the roads. I’d rather not bring to dealer for fix and was hoping I could try putting a bead of silicone around window outside in the hopes that will stop it. Good idea? Bad idea? Recommendations on what kind of silicone or calk to use? Any other ideas on how to fix or should I leave this alone and try to get to dealer to fix despite inclement weather.

[JaycoMLOK]

I would take it back to the dealer myself. Maybe around the window and maybe not. But they will record it and you'll have a paper trail where they fixed it or tried to fix it.

[Siamese]

Absolutely NO silicone on trailer windows. When it fails, and it will, the next sealant you apply won't stick because of the residual silicone that you can't get off the surface.

The sealant to use is OSI Quad. Messy to work with, and you'll want to tape off to do a cleaner job.

Or, take the window out completely, reseal with butyl tape, and reinstall the window. That's what we did on our windows.

[Rustic Eagle]

Unless it's a minor, and very obvious window frame caulking issue (take photos), I would take your new FW back to the dealer. Moisture intrusion can be a costly repair depending on the confirmed moisture intrusion source.

If you 'suspect' it might be a window seal/caulk issue but isn't obvious, applying some painters tape may help until your RV dealer can confirm fix.

I would contact/advise your RV dealer ASAP on your findings, and confirm your conversation with them via e-mail (start of paper trail). If your dealership isn't being cooperative/responsive, I would contact Jayco directly.

Bob

[THE MEEKER]

I would fix it myself as you would probably do a better job and it would be done correctly. I say this because I am very familiar with two Jayco dealerships in WNY (CW, BRV). I do not trust their service technicians to change a light bulb correctly. “When you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.”

However, I have heard good things said about the dealership in Webster NY.

You will get fantastic advice on this forum on how to tackle the problem. Good luck!

[CAG]

Contact Jayco and see if they will authorize a repair at a shop closer to you.



I would do whatever was necessary to stop/cover the leak short of trying to seal it myself, you may void your warranty. From there let the warranty take care of it.

[PaulB12]

Let's see... dealer an hour away, thats two hours times two(probably need to leave it). That's a minimum of 4 hours of your time. Four trips wear and tear on your TV plus your gas, two trips wear and tear on tt.
Plug in the dollar amounts and it would probably be cheaper to have an auto window shop do it for you.
Warranties are nice, but not when they cost you more money!

JMHO,
PaulB12

[Lake Huron]

No silicon.
I would put a lap of gorilla tape down the sides of the window from top to bottom and then one across the top. This will keep it temporarily sealed until you take it back to the dealer. A repair like that I wouldn't leave it, i would set it up with the dealer to be repaired while you wait. Be polite, yet firm if they give you a hard time. No reason they cant fix it while you wait. Some things you fix yourself and others you dont and this is one you dont because if it isn't fixed right and/or develops a leak again later down the road its documented. Water leaks can cause LOTS of damage if not caught soon enough.

[ALJO]

The travel cost to the dealer will be higher, than a roll 1/4" butyl tape. Ownership of a RV, learn repair skills, otherwise it can be an expensive money pit

[Jayco-owner1979]

well it rained again all night, i checked the camper again and now it is dry? The only thing I did was run my finger around the rubber seal outside to make sure it was seated correctly and it seemed fine. Maybe the rubber gasket was a little loose? I guess ill keep an eye on it.

[Seann45]

You have to remove the window to fix it properly... if you muck with it Jayco will not have to cover it...

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Jayco-owner1979

snip....I guess ill keep an eye on it.

If it were my FW I would take a garden hose and run a steady stream of water around the area you stated you observed the minor leak..., and also the remainder of the 27RS's large rear window.

Check the caulking around the ladder mounts near the window, backup camera mount, and marker lights. While your up there check the caulking along the roof/rear wall joint, especially the corners.

Bob