Aluminum Siding - Why Are Horizontal Seams Not Caulked?

[Brad81987]

Upgraded from a fiberglass hybrid to aluminum 2019 Jay Flight this summer. I'm curious why the horizontal seams, especially in the front, are not caulked? I understand the panels likely overlap from the bottom up. This makes sense for a stationary installation but how does water not get forced into and past those joints when towing? Water at 60MPH will go a lot of directions other than down, especially over the racked front of the trailer. Just think what it does on your windshield when driving down the highway.

I also noticed there doesn't appear to be caulking where the siding meets the diamond plate in the front but again the top of the diamond plate appears to be overlapped by the bottom of the lowest aluminum panel.

I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation of how this works. Aluminum sided trailers have been around forever and I doubt they all leak when being towed in the rain...

We towed in the rain last week and I noticed a little water on the driver side nightstand when we went to bed. I'm suspecting the front clearance light is the culprit as I noticed some moisture on the lens the next morning when doing a walk around the trailer. Going to hit that all around with OSI Quad. I think Jayco caulks the top of the lights from the factory but the rest just is just a foam looking pad. Trailer has been through plenty of Midwest monsoon downpours when stationary since we got it with no signs of water ingress.

[ttavasc]

When we had our 195RB I masked off each horizontal seam on the front and applied a thin bead of Dicor no-sag to eliminate this issue. We always seemed to have just a little bit of moisture on various places along the inside front wall after towing through heavy rain. This cured that problem.

[Tiguan Tow r]

Originally Posted by ttavasc

When we had our 195RB I masked off each horizontal seam on the front and applied a thin bead of Dicor no-sag to eliminate this issue. We always seemed to have just a little bit of moisture on various places along the inside front wall after towing through heavy rain. This cured that problem.

x2. we did the same to our 145RB.

[Brad81987]

Sounds like a project to add to my fall cleanup list. Thanks!

[32Pinnical]

I have the same problem with rain intrusions on the front cap of my 2018 26 SLX Jay Flight TT when traveling. The front seams are not chalked but should be! I had my dealer do the warranty work several months ago but he must have missed a spot, still had water intrusion center front. Going to handle it myself this time. I'll send Jayco my bill :-).

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Bob Pope

I have the same problem with rain intrusions on the front cap of my 2018 26 SLX Jay Flight TT when traveling.....snip

Here's an active thread on the same subject that may be helpful:

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...ing-72738.html

Bob

[Toad]

After owning a Terry tt for over 20 years "with no leakage problems" we upgraded to a 2020 Jayco 232rbw Rocky Mountain Edition tt.


Being as or 2020 Jayco was a used tt there was no warranty to second owner.


We travel a lot and every time I tow in the rain our front wall of the travel trailer leaked causing the head of the bed to get soaked.


After searching the internet I was amazed to see how many other owners had the same issue.


Towing in the rain forces rain water up through the overlapping horizontal seams on the trailer front and into the front wall.


After spending time sealing these seams issues were resolved.


Poor poor workmanship and quality.


This has been an ongoing issue for year's yet Jayco has a complete disregard to correct the problem on their units.


our son has an EVO tt and their front horizontal seams are all factory sealed against water intrusion.


Come on Thor Industries you can do better...

Originally Posted by Brad81987

Upgraded from a fiberglass hybrid to aluminum 2019 Jay Flight this summer. I'm curious why the horizontal seams, especially in the front, are not caulked? I understand the panels likely overlap from the bottom up. This makes sense for a stationary installation but how does water not get forced into and past those joints when towing? Water at 60MPH will go a lot of directions other than down, especially over the racked front of the trailer. Just think what it does on your windshield when driving down the highway.

I also noticed there doesn't appear to be caulking where the siding meets the diamond plate in the front but again the top of the diamond plate appears to be overlapped by the bottom of the lowest aluminum panel.

I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation of how this works. Aluminum sided trailers have been around forever and I doubt they all leak when being towed in the rain...

We towed in the rain last week and I noticed a little water on the driver side nightstand when we went to bed. I'm suspecting the front clearance light is the culprit as I noticed some moisture on the lens the next morning when doing a walk around the trailer. Going to hit that all around with OSI Quad. I think Jayco caulks the top of the lights from the factory but the rest just is just a foam looking pad. Trailer has been through plenty of Midwest monsoon downpours when stationary since we got it with no signs of water ingress.

[mrmom]

I have only had 2 leaks from my front siding on my 2015. One was self inflicted when I replaced my front marker lights and didn't put enough butyl behind one. The second was from the LF corner bead that had a couple of screws come loose and had to be re-secured. Never have seen any leaks from the siding itself.