Rear window leak

[bretso]

While restoring my 72' 1400, I ripped out the back wall to repair some water damage around the rear window. I replaced some hunks of frame, the paneling and insulation and re-sealed the rear window. (These forums were very helpful in that endeavor.)

After all was said and done, we ran a hose full blast on it for 20 minutes or so and never saw a drop come through, even with a high pressure nozzle. It seemed fairly well sealed.

Now we've had some wet weather (including lots of hail) and I've spotted a leak in the same old spot! Funny thing about painting the interior paneling, Small leak = Big Brown Water Stain! Good and bad I suppose. It looks ugly but it lets you know where the leaks are.

The trailer has been moved a few times and it's been 9 months or so since the window was resealed. I'm guessing something shifted and opened up a spot for water to come through.

My putty tape looks solid, I was very careful to snug the window frame up tight so it squeezed the excess putty out, and then I trimmed off the excess very carefully with a sharp putty knife. So, I'm not sure where the water is getting in. Visual inspection doesn't show any weak spots in the putty seal.

My newest plan of action: I'm going to run a bead of Trempro 635 around the window and then install a drip cap.

Does this sound like a smart move?
I doubt I'll be able to do a better job sealing it with putty, so I thought the Trempro would fill in any gaps I may have missed, and the drip cap will direct most water away from the less than perfect seal.

I'll be cutting down and merging two 43.5" drip caps from VTS to fit my 80" window. I'll run a bead Trempro down the middle where the two pieces meet and a dab on each screw. Putty tape behind the drip cap also.

Thoughts?

[jer5217]

vintage campers.com have drip caps up to 87" long f.y.i.

[bretso]

Oh man! I wish I had asked before ordering.

Those drip rails are cheaper, better, one-piece and not powder coated white like the VTS version.

I'll store that website for future use. Thanks!

[Redwings]

We had that same problem with our '72 Compact. The back window leak after the restore and after a 3,000 mile trip. Where we found the water was coming in was around where the glass and the aluminum window frame was sealed. We took the trailer to our local Glass Doctor and they removed the glass and resealed it all back together. I think it cost us $50.00 and was well worth the expense.

What I learned from this: Before re-installation, I always lay my windows in a horizontal position and pour water on the glass. Enough to fill the window up about half an inch. Then I can see if any drips are getting through between the glass and the window frame. I hope this makes sense!

[pathfinder3081]

That's a good idea "redwings", I am going to pull the rear in a couple of weeks. I have a little "drip and puddle" from time to time in a hard rain. I am still wondering if I should go with the hard tacking "Butyle tape or go with the "putty tape" that I have been using for the simple through the skin stuff. (Water ports, curbside connections)
I hope that it'e not the window, frame and it's caulking but then again it might be a good time to redo it. SHe is a 71 by the way. Do have any opinion or feed bacl for me?
Sorry fo the type, I have been having a bit of a problem editing anything that right with the format.

[bretso]

Thanks Soup. I had wondered about lap sealer. I'll pick some up.

[boandsusan]

we We`ve had to Reinstall the rear window in 2 Compacts, both 72`s. I`m guessing that you have the same style windows. You say "same spot". Would that be one of the lower corners? Thats where both of ours were leaking. It took several times, removing and replacing, until I figured out that it was the FRAME corner joint, on both 72`s that leaked in the same place. I just ran a very thin line(on the interior of the window) of JB Weld (using a tooth pick) along the joint where the lower frame meets the side frame. Hope this helps!

[vikx]

I wouldn't use self leveling lap sealant on anything but the roof. It will run down the side of the trailer. Dicor makes a "non sag" lap sealant for vertical surfaces....

[pathfinder3081]

Jun 26, 2012 23:37:17 GMT -5 boandsusan said:

we We`ve had to Reinstall the rear window in 2 Compacts, both 72`s. I`m guessing that you have the same style windows. You say "same spot". Would that be one of the lower corners? Thats where both of ours were leaking. It took several times, removing and replacing, until I figured out that it was the FRAME corner joint, on both 72`s that leaked in the same place. I just ran a very thin line(on the interior of the window) of JB Weld (using a tooth pick) along the joint where the lower frame meets the side frame. Hope this helps!

;D That is exactly where it's at. I was looking real hard at that mitered joint too. It looks a little "rat". I'll try that and see how she does next cloud burst.. Thank you so much

[bretso]

Jun 26, 2012 23:37:17 GMT -5 boandsusan said:

. It took several times, removing and replacing, until I figured out that it was the FRAME corner joint, on both 72`s that leaked in the same place.

Thanks, your suggestion helped me find the source of the problem.

I'll start by admitting that I'm a novice craftsman at best. My skill level is slowly improving though.

I was so sure I had done a good job of sealing the window but... when I started taking pictures of that frame corner I noticed that, not only had I used the wrong kind of screws on the frame, but several of them had worked themselves loose over the winter. I replaced the whole lot with the correct stainless screws dipped in a good RV sealant. Rained last night. No leak. So far so good.