Surprise- Delamination!

[Travln2]

We keep our 5th wheel at home, so I'm routinely walking around, climbing on the roof, looking inside the rig in nooks and crannies for water leaks.

About a month ago,I finally got the front cap sealed after trying for years. Every front seam from the roof down, including all the button and strip lights have been sealed. It leaks no more.

So after almost 5 years, that front cap was our only known leak, and luckily, we didn't get delamination from that.

Then yesterday, I was inspecting the back of the rig as the sun was going down. The shadows showed that we've got some delamination at a back corner and under the taillight/license plate bracket.
It's not horrible, and more like small bulges than full blown separation. I don't think it's even something I need to repair, but I do need to go into emergency re-caulking of all seams so it doesn't get worse.

The tail light had never been sealed from the factory, they just relied on a foam backer to seal it. I caulked that yesterday.

The back corner will need more work. I've done the vertical seams, but up around the roof gutter drain at that corner is a mess of gobbed on stuff that will take some work to sort out.

Point of post- I didn't expect to find delamination considering how much time I spend inspecting everything. But inspecting is no substitute for removing and re-caulking EVERY joint. It's a job I always tell myself I'll do a little at a time while sitting around the campground. Well, that NEVER actually happens.

So- don't put it off- caulk every joint, even the ones the factory never caulked.

 

[craigav]

Then yesterday, I was inspecting the back of the rig as the sun was going down. The shadows showed that we've got some delamination at a back corner and under the taillight/license plate bracket.
It's not horrible, and more like small bulges than full blown separation. I don't think it's even something I need to repair, but I do need to go into emergency re-caulking of all seams so it doesn't get worse.

The tail light had never been sealed from the factory, they just relied on a foam backer to seal it. I caulked that yesterday.

Just to share a thought, in addition to (or instead of) the foam gasket (backer) for sealing the tailights, use Butyl Putty Tape as used on many other RV seals. Butyl tape will give you a better seal and would (should) provide a water tight seal for a very long time and will look a lot better than trying to caulk around the tailights. At least this has been the case in my experiences over the years. ~CA

 

[Travln2]

Just to share a thought, in addition to (or instead of) the foam gasket (backer) for sealing the tailights, use Butyl Putty Tape as used on many other RV seals. Butyl tape will give you a better seal and would (should) provide a water tight seal for a very long time and will look a lot better than trying to caulk around the tailights. At least this has been the case in my experiences over the years. ~CA

Yes, the caulk is not beautiful, for sure. after the crisis is over, I'll take it apart and do that. Thanks.

 

[DNelson-JAY]

About 6 months ago I found the same problem near the license plate area on our 2018 28.5 RSTS. As I checked all the factory sealing I discovered they missed a couple areas on the vertical seal on the right side. I had to replace the roof on our first RV trailer so I have been diligent in checking the roof but missed this area on the side! I resealed both sides of the back for now and will keep an eye on the delaminated area. If it doesn't get any worse I will leave it alone but if it gets larger I will repair it.

Frustrating isn't it!

 

[Travln2]

About 6 months ago I found the same problem near the license plate area on our 2018 28.5 RSTS. As I checked all the factory sealing I discovered they missed a couple areas on the vertical seal on the right side. I had to replace the roof on our first RV trailer so I have been diligent in checking the roof but missed this area on the side! I resealed both sides of the back for now and will keep an eye on the delaminated area. If it doesn't get any worse I will leave it alone but if it gets larger I will repair it.

Frustrating isn't it!

Same here. Small ripples below the license plate. Sealed the tail light. Three other spots. Like you, I carefully resealed the roof edges but didn’t check the verticals. I will now seal everything, windows and all. The rain gutter spouts look very suspicious. I’ll spend some time on those.