I am currently at a stand still attempting to search/repair for a leak that previously rotted out the entire rear dining floor. I have traced the leak upwards along the center of the rear wall to the bottom of the block of wood that is fiberglassed in for supporting the dinning table. I now believe the leak is starting at the joint covered by the belly band and saturating the wood blocking then works down the remaining portion of the rear wall. The issue is I cannot access the inside of this joint because the wood blocking is fiberglassed over the joint. My question is how is someone supposed to re-seal the belly band if this wood is in the way? Sealing it from the outside seams more risky by having to remove the belly band, rivets, caulking etc. The re-install of new rivets would just increase risk of further water penetrations at this seam. It makes more sense to be able to seal this are from the inside.
If anyone has experience with this area, please advise. Thanks
The leak can be from the belly band, rear window seal, spare tire bolts or two screws that hold the board to the rear wall while it being glassed in place at factory. One or both of the rear dinette benches may have to be removed.
1. Remove wall covering from board area. Try not to stretch ratfur.
3. Remove two capped screws on rear outside of trailer holding board.
3. Take a multi- saw cut the sides and top of the fiberglass holding in the board on the edge of the flat surface. If the board is not rotten you may have to cut the bottom flap of the fiberglass to get the board out.
3a. Find and repair leak.
4. Cut new board place back in hole. Secure with two new screws, bases and caps from outside.
5. Glass your cut out panel back over board.
6. Use 3M Spray 90 adhesive to glue reflectix and ratfur in place.
7. Use hot glue gun to glue ratfur strip back in place.
8. Reinstall the benches that were removed.
Good luck
Eddie
The easiest first check would probably be the two capped screws referenced above. I replaced the two on the front of ours that hold the glassed-in bunk mount. We didn't have a leak but I noticed that the caps were loose while I was checking for rivets that need replacing. When I tried to remove a cap, a rusted screw fell out into my hand. I replaced both with larger screws coated with glue and sealed with butyl tape at the cap washer. If you find your rear screws in the same shape as our front ones, that could be your leak right there. I'll be checking the rear ones tomorrow.
Lynn
mine leaked from the spare tire bolts, fortunately. we found and sealed the leak before anything rotted. Good luck Dave