Front storage compartment seals

[Mellow Yellow]

With the strong winds and heavy rain, the side of our camper is getting wet. The rain is seeping in the front storage compartment and wicking up the foam seals and making the carpet damp. Any advice on replacing the seals with something more in the line of a rubber seal? Thanks !

[jim44646]

you could try something like this. it's like what their putting on new rvs. i just tried some on mine. seems ok but time will tell.
WJ Dennis® White EPDM Rubber P-Profile Weatherstrip 7/32" x 3/8" x 17 ft. at Menards

[janepete]

Ours weren't leaking but ratty looking so we replaced them with closed cell foam weatherstrip from the hardware store. It was a bit wider than we needed but trimmed it to size and it has adhesive to stick well. We removed the old and cleaned the surface with alcohol to make sure it would stick. No wicking or leaks.

[Gene]

Is the hatch door closing tight? I had an inch or so of wet carpet inside after a bad rain storm but found the nut that holds the lock/latch was loose.

[Mellow Yellow]

Originally Posted by Gene

Is the hatch door closing tight? I had an inch or so of wet carpet inside after a bad rain storm but found the nut that holds the lock/latch was loose.

Will have Tom check that. Thanks for all responses !

[JohnB]

Originally Posted by Gene

Is the hatch door closing tight? I had an inch or so of wet carpet inside after a bad rain storm but found the nut that holds the lock/latch was loose.

Times 2 on this one,

Have Tom wiggle the door by the thumb turn latch or the key latch. If the door can rattle in and out very much, the foam seal is not getting compressed and water will come in. I had this happen too.

In my case the aluminum flange of the cargo hole was bent out and when the latch came over the flange I could move the door in and out 1/8 to 1/4". Every thing is fine until it rains hard on that side.

I will also say I'm still looking for new foam seal myself as some of ours are getting pretty ratty. I have not yet been able to find the right width and thickness. I see the foam home type in the lumber yard and they may work, just have not tested them yet. They are more hollow like a bulb seal verses the more solid foam seal we have.

Hope this helps and let us know how you make out.

John

[MACK C-85]

I'll add my experience:

I replaced the seals with two different types, and it still leaked. At the suggestion of a SOC member, I did a light test. Light on in compartment at night and look for "light leaks"....long story short, the compartment door was slightly bent. Gentle twist of door, no more light leaks, no more water leaks!!!

Mack

[jim44646]

The hollow type seem to be what their using on the newer RV's

[Mellow Yellow]

Tom did the light test and yes, not only was the door out of kilter, but adjusting that a few tweaks to the aluminum flange has helped a lot. Like John said, our seals are getting ratty and do need to be replaced. We will also be looking for a good replacement and will test out one of the above suggestions, depending on what we find in local store. Thanks again !

[JohnB]

Originally Posted by jim44646

The hollow type seem to be what their using on the newer RV's

We may have and official test going on here soon....

I have one that is pretty bad and the home style may get the test as the old one is not cutting it much longer. Lets all report back on the performance.

The difference seems to be the density of the foam. The hollow ones touch and then collapse into the hollow space as the door goes full closed. The original ones are solid foam so the compression is higher. How much compression does one need to hold out water?? Good question. It may not be a sealing issue as much as a longevity issue.

For what it is worth, my slide seals are a hollow bulb seal, a big version of the home door seal. There is a lot of linear feet of slide seal and once the slide is compressed in, the hollow seals just about totally collapses and water entry has not yet been an issue.

Time will tell. I have 2 roles of the home type now in the shed, just have not put them on yet. Will do soon.

[Mellow Yellow]

Tom bought this weatherseal and installed it today.

EPDM Rubber Weatherseal - 10-Year Guarantee | Frost King® Products

this one - V25W - which is a "D" profile.
With the approaching storm we'll likely get the same kind of hard rain that was a problem before. So, with this installed, we will see how well it seals.