sprung a leak..advice needed...

[DragonFire]

http://www.go-rv.com/coast/do/catalog/page?index=A&pageNext=TRUE&dealerId=2637&pageNum=206

These sound good..if they are the correct size. I'm going to measure the hatch on the outside (the lid) and see if it matches up with something close for the inside. Then I might have a better idea of what to ask for at CW.

[S. Heisley]

Have you tried removing the screws yet? You could get lucky....you won't know until you try. Of course, now, it's starting to get dark and you probably have to work tomorrow....

[DragonFire]

I wouldn't think it would be too much trouble to put in new butyl tape and screw the hatch back down, even if it is only temporary. Then, you'll know if your problem is from old butyl tape or something else.

The plastic hatch frame will break apart when I take it off the trailer. I'm pretty sure of it. And remember, this trailer was stored inside for the last 7+ years. It supposedly did not leak last year when the former owner got caught in a rainstorm. But maybe he didn't really pay attention. I just brought the trailer home on Friday. So it's really the first time it's been outside.

It's old butyl for sure, compounded by added sealer of some sort. I have to get all the old sealer off...which will be the hardest part. Well, besides finding the correct size hatch.

And I am gone 12 hours a day for work for the next 4 days. My plan is to determine the hatch size if possible, or see if I can order 2 that are closest..wait til they are in at CW, then get the parts, tear out the hatch, and try the closest one in after seeing the opening. If it's a go, then I'll spend the weekend trying to get the old sealer off. Then re-tape and seat the new hatch.

I'm just going to have to plastic up the hatch until then, and if we have rain I'm going to try to hit the Dam with plastic and tape and hope it works. I just need 3 clear days on the weekend to get this hatch off and the new one on. IF I can get a new hatch that fast!

[S. Heisley]

If the predicted weather holds, you could get your 3 sunny days next weekend!
Good luck!

[DragonFire]

2 1/2..Sunday is Easter and I have plans in the afternoon!!


I measured the hatch every which way I could. I'm going to call CW tomorrow and see what they have. I'll get it on Friday if it's there, but I've got my car to get smogged and such so I can keep it legal until I figure out what I want to do with it. I'm trying to get used to always being in the truck if I'm not on the scooter. But that little Celica is too much fun to drive...

If things move right along I might be able to get the parts Fri, work on it Sat and Sun am. Should be done before then, but things never go as planned, so add some more time.

Hopefully I can find a part that I can run by CW..like "blank" makes a ?x? hatch....can you get that one??? And I'll be set.

Luckily my 'twin' will be cleaning the inside of the trailer tomorrow...at least wiping down the walls and cleaning the dust out of the cabinets and lining them. Even if I'm flying with a messed up hatch, I've got to get to the Dam. It's the only time Kirk will be there. I can't miss it. And Lazybones might make it...I've got to see those two together with Doug. then I have about 6 weeks until I head to Tahoe for my next event. I just hope I can make due if I have to until then.

[campmaster-k]

Yes. Kirk Doug Lee and Dragonfire (Barbara) must meet at the Dam. Its a must happen!

[DragonFire]

Heng's makes a 13x20 escape hatch. The vent lid is 15x22. That is the size of my hatch lid.

I think I'm in business. Just got to see if CW can get one for me...if not...online shopping!!!

OK, now I can relax. Elbow grease isn't a big deal, but it sure would help to know the solvent for the old sealer might be...something that won't take the paint off the aluminum roof skin!

Watch out Dam Gathering...I'm headed that way...!!

Guess I'd better hurry up and kick this horrible cold/flu...I've got work to do!

[DragonFire]

Lazybones shipped his scooter to Georgia yesterday. So maybe he will have more time to figure out how to make it back in time for the Dam!!

Watch out...the Turds are on the way!! (inside Coleman joke...)

And in case you all are wondering why I didn't just say it was an escape hatch in the first place....the labels have long since fallen off and who the heck could fit through an opening 13x20? Except maybe me? Or a kid? I don't think any man except Houdini could escape through that...so I didn't think it was one..until I went out and saw the little faded red release lever.

[48Rob]

Hmmm, all this time I thought you were talking about a galley hatch...

An easy enough solution would be to remove the old hatch so you can measure the rough opening to get the correctly sized new one.
If it falls apart, just cut a piece of thin plywood to cover the hole, use putty tape and screw it down.

The camper will be useable in case the new hatch doesn't arrive in time, and you won't have to chance any more water damage to the structure.

Rob

[Martiangod]

Could always order a sky light dome for the opening, better light then an escape hatch

[DragonFire]

I'll be calling CW later...I was trying to think of something I could cover the hole with...but I think what I have done so far, plus plastic over it, will work better for now. If they have the part in stock I'll try to get it done this weekend.

We ususally have rain the 3rd weekend in April...it always rains on the Roseville Strawberry Festival...and usually some rain after that into May. And this year is really strange. So I don't want to tear off the hatch if I might get stuck with it off for that long.

I have some latex caulking remover..do you think that might work on whatever sealant someone put on there years ago? Not talking about the silicone. That is gone. The remover for that has been used. I just want to get whatever old old sealer off from years ago so I'm really starting with a fresh surface. It's also globbed over several of the screws...so it's not going to be easy to get those un-done. I'm probably going to have to chisel it off enough to get a tool on it kinda, and try to break more off until I can get the correct driver on it. That is going to be the worst part.

I tried scraping some of it off yesterday and it won't budge. I knew I was going to have to figure out something for a new hatch...even going to RV Dr. George for one, but sounds like I can get a new one with a metal frame from somewhere.

And while we are on the subject..my front running lights have those snap on covers..the usual type. Due to where they are placed on the trailer, the rain got inside the lens...what can I seal it with so I can still get in to change the bulb but also keep the water out? Something that doesn't look too horrible?

I need to change some of the bulbs..but the hatch comes first. Trailer will be fine with some of the running lights out..it's not like they are the signals or break lights.

[grant whipp]

DF!

I'm not a big fan of butyl tape ... I much prefer the grey or black RV Putty tape (I've seen that stuff when it's been on for decades and it's still pliable and completely water-proof). But, here's a suggestion that will help ... before you put the new vent in, add 1-1/2" wide 1/4" spacer strips on top of the framework, under the roof skin ... that'll lift the whole skin & hatch/vent just enough to make the water flow away from the vent base so it won't pool and find a way to seep in (it also helps to park the trailer with either the nose down slightly, or up, just enough to make sure water won't pool around the vent or anywhere else).

Regarding solvents to clean off the old "putty" ... We used to call it PrepSol many years ago, and it would remove anything organic (no, not paint!) ... sometimes took a little elbow-grease, but it always worked. A good paint store should be able to tell you what it's call these days.

Good Luck, and I'm looking forward to meeting you at the Dam Gathering ... new vent installed or not ... ...! As always ...

CHEERS!

[DragonFire]

Grant..Sounds like an excellent idea as long as I can slip the shims in and have them stay put while I put down the hatch and drill pilot holes in them. Oh..this means I have to get on top of that trailer..a bit scary. I wasn't worried about the big trailer, but this one is so tiny...don't want to break anything (the trailer, not me!)

I have a vent waiting at Allied Trailer. I'll get it on Friday. The tape is the gray plumber's stuff..the RV stuff...I'll get a big roll of that and I'll take some screws as samples. I'm guessing that the thickness of the shims will not require longer screws..

OK..HD trip. bust out the saw.

Where is Kirk? He knows paint like Doug knows stoves. He needs to give me a current name of Prep sol, if that isn't still the name. I'll google it first.

Gotta go shut the trailer up..it's getting toward dew point...

[Martiangod]

DF!

before you put the new vent in, add 1-1/2" wide 1/4" spacer strips on top of the framework, under the roof skin ... that'll lift the whole skin & hatch/vent just enough to make the water flow away from the vent base so it won't pool and find a way to seep in
CHEERS!

Any vent change on a metal roof I do gets that treatment

[DragonFire]

Grasshopper vents are on a slope anyway...toward the front of the trailer...you may be able to see it on my avatar....but where the cracks were in the old sealer was on the sides of the vent. I think using shims is a great idea...