First long trip.

[DandE-JAY]

I finally got to take a long trip in my travel trailer after three years of ownership. My wife and I had a wonderful trip to Glacier National Park from Houston. Everything went well until on our way back I looked in my side view mirror and saw something flapping on the side of my trailer. I pulled over and discovered the rubber/plastic trim that covers the screw heads had come out of it’s groove where the side meets the front of the trailer. I removed the bottom screw that holds the trim and stretched it down and put the screw back in. All went well the rest of the way home. My question is, does this trim provide some kind of water seal or not.? It looks fine but I don’t want to take a chance and thought I would ask. Sorry I couldn’t get two of the pictures turned the right way. All pictures were taken after the repair.

 

[mnaquaman]

screw cover

Yes it keeps water from penetrating by the screws and into the side panels.
I have had them shrink but never come completely loose. You did the right thing! RV manufactures are cheap if it is there, it's there for a reason!

 

[DandE-JAY]

Thanks mnaquaman, I'm gonna keep an eye on it.

 

[DonaandDon]

I stretched mine several times but it kept coming up short and then the flapping would return. I found to allow it to find the position it need to stay in place and then filled the end of mine with Dicor to keep it in place.

 

[TCNashville]

If the plastic trim snaps into a channel there should be some butyl tape underneath the metal trim where it screws in the wall. The plastic outside trim piece adds another layer of protection so good job on the repair.

 

[DandE-JAY]

I appreciate the replies. I'm following another thread where it happened to someone else also just to get some ideas as to how to repair. Thanks.