KodiakSc83
Quebec
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Joined: 07/16/2023
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Hi Westkodiak! Mine a 98'! Its fun to know that there another owner of this exact camper!
I think the leak came from the front overhang nose trim, i am not sure but time will tell , as when doing a leak test it continued dripping for a couple hours after i did it. The hot water acces is a perfect drip spot too, put caulk and gorilla tape on the inside bottom and isolated that spot by taping plastic over since i knew it leaked too!.put a rubber trim around the edge to slow the water flow inside, in the future i will put an alum drip cap over it.
I can see a sort of rusted steel under the sink drain, it should be the tiedown! I can touch it with the end of my finger. I redid the whole caulking of the camper around every window/light acces door and every trim.the only thing i did not do is to remove all the whole trim to change the butyl tape under it and inspect. Caulked over and under it all around it took around 9 tube of caulk and a can of thinner to clean everything hahaha. I have all the appliance books for the camper and some specs floor plans if you need any infos
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Westcoastkodiak
British Columbia
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Joined: 07/24/2023
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That is a lot of work you have done! Hopefully you have managed to get it sealed up. From the looks of the photos it appears to be in very good condition and I'm sure once you get it sorted you will really enjoy it.
I was fortunate enough to get all of the appliance books with it also. I have done a few upgrades such as adding a solar system, six volt batteries and changing all interior lights to LED. We can stay off grid without any trouble at all.
The only thing that may cause you trouble is the propane tank. If it has expired, the cost of a new horizontal replacement tank is outrageous!
Good luck with the leak!
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KodiakSc83
Quebec
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Thanks, but unfortunately it is still leaking from somewhere,maybe the drip come from the vinyl insert and pass thru the screws. I think of putting ethernabond or gorilla tape over trim but it will not look good on the side haha.
Im at day 4 of a camping trip right now and i love the inside of it!
Yea ive changed everything to leds too! Except for the front reading light which is bigger bulb but smaller can fit it havent tried. Propane tank are priced ! I had one the valve and propane gauge changed on one and now certified for another 10 years. I added a 100w solar to the roof with cross 1x1 alum tubing and u bolt to the existing roof rack so no added holes! If anyone has done a sealing with tape over the side wall trim and did a good job id like to see that in pictures!
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jimh406
Western MT
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Joined: 06/11/2006
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Holding tanks can leak. My wife's uncle/aunt bought a new TT that had a leak. It was about 6 months for them to notice the leak. When the TT was installed, the head of one screw punctured the tank.
I'd double check the seals for any outside compartments and make sure the inside of the compartments are sealed.
Most TCs seem to leak around the front marker lights if they have them, so it's probably good to rule that out.
Finally, the insulation especially foam can hold water for a long time, so maybe someone fixed the leak and the water hasn't left yet.
Good luck.
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notsobigjoe
southeast
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Joined: 09/15/2016
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I redid the whole caulking of the camper around every window/light acces door and every trim.the only thing i did not do is to remove all the whole trim to change the butyl tape under it and inspect. Caulked over and under it all around it took around 9 tube of caulk and a can of thinner to clean everything hahaha.
Kodiak, Just a question. Are you doing the re-seal correctly? All of the old stuff "Lap sealant, cap sealant, caulk, etc... has to come off, The surface "All surfaces" need to be cleaned with Naphtha or Goof off. COMPLETELY cleaned of everything including any caulk residue, dirt, oil. Are you removing the screws getting the next size up SS screw and re-caulking and reattaching them. If your just going over the old stuff your not fixing a thing even if you clean it. It sounds like your doing it correctly though. I'll throw my money behind some leaking screws. Good luck, Joe
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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When the camper is dry, have you tried watering one potential faluire point at a time rather than putting the whole thing in a rain shower? May help isolate the source.
Temporary tape is a good idea too. Remember gorilla tape or any duct tape will basically cook itself to the surface if you leave it on a long time. And be harder to clean up the glue residue until it bakes in the sun and gets crispy.
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KodiakSc83
Quebec
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Hello Joe, i did remove every caulk that has been on the camper,started removing what i could with a scrapper and then removed the leftover with paint thinner until there where nothing left anywhere. Then caulk on top and on bottom of the molding trim and around every opening/window/door, The only thing i didn't do because of the 3 day time lapse was to remove all the vinyl insert molding and inspect/caulk and replacing screws with ss screw and bigger one where needed. New insert/screws will be ordered next week when i come back.
The first time i did isolate the leak ive found it one at the front nose of the Tc,after i thought i was good ,it passed the driver side test over windows and front nose driver test after i redid the thing.
I found a little screw that i forgot to put on the fill hose trim maybe that it or not!
I will check everything you guys told me,fill pipe ,inside compartiment. Leaking screws can be the trouble behind the vinyl trim.
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notsobigjoe
southeast
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KodiakSc83 wrote:Hello Joe, i did remove every caulk that has been on the camper,started removing what i could with a scrapper and then removed the leftover with paint thinner until there where nothing left anywhere. Then caulk on top and on bottom of the molding trim and around every opening/window/door, The only thing i didn't do because of the 3 day time lapse was to remove all the vinyl insert molding and inspect/caulk and replacing screws with ss screw and bigger one where needed. New insert/screws will be ordered next week when i come back.
The first time i did isolate the leak ive found it one at the front nose of the Tc,after i thought i was good ,it passed the driver side test over windows and front nose driver test after i redid the thing.
I found a little screw that i forgot to put on the fill hose trim maybe that it or not!
I will check everything you guys told me,fill pipe ,inside compartiment. Leaking screws can be the trouble behind the vinyl trim.
Ok, Good luck! It sounds like your going to get it if you haven't already. Boy its a pain though. We've all been there and the payoff is worth.
Keep us posted. It always seems to rain when I'm looking for something similar. Lol
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stevenal
Newport, OR, USA
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Joined: 03/16/2004
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My old Bigfoot had a leaking window that I tried to fix with caulk outside the flange. It eventually rotted the floor. As others have said, the way to fix this is to replace the butyl tape under the flange.
If you wish to ensure the window is the issue prior to removal: Sealtech
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