sprung a leak..advice needed...

[DragonFire]

OK...update. We have had a great deal of rain here in the last week. The escape hatch does not leak. I shimmed it and replaced it last Saturday and so far everything is good.

But the weatherstripping around the door is not sealing..the entry door. I have half of that replaced..it started raining again, then got dark, so I couldn't finish it all tonight. But the leaky part is taken care of.

Then the front bubble window leaked. So I have to pull the window tomorrow and reseal. Woo hoo.

Then the galley hatch leaked. I think it is the weatherstripping, the seal on the hatch hinge, and I don't see any putty tape behind the 'garnish' on the opening of the galley. So I get to pull all of that off and reseal. Woo hoo.

It better not spring anymore leaks!

The shim on the roof escape hatch is working out very well. I looked up there today and it is high and dry, or at least as dry as it can be when it pours every hour or so!! But no leaks. I'll install the new garnish when I have time.

[Woodbutcher]

Mike I think this was your first one word answer ever.

[DragonFire]

Yeah..this thing needs a few corks!!

Got the front window done..the galley hatch will be on Friday. I'll run some sealant around the window and the galley hinge when I'm done on Friday. I don't see how the front window can leak again, but you never know!

Any ideas besides a cork for sealing the running lights? The 2 on the front leak between the lens and the fixture mounted on the trailer. No cracks in the lenses. I could just get 2 new lenses, but I'm not sure worn plastic is the problem. I think it's the angle they are set that allows the water to run in. I was thinking of just making a really small snake of plumber's putty and putting it around the rim, snapping it on, and using the putty knife around the edge. Maybe just doing the top, sides, and a tiny bit on each side of the bottom, so heat can still escape..although if the lights are on, that means it's hitched up and probably moving and getting a nice blast of air anyway.

I hope I'm done working on this thing soon...I'm tired of having the cushions in the house and having all the camping gear everywhere but where it belongs.

[DragonFire]

and he spelled it correctly without even trying!!

Just teasing you Slow...I knew what a "Grue" was. I think I might start using that word at camp...

[S. Heisley]

Hi, Dragon:

It sounds like your little trailer simply didn't get much care for a few years by its previous owner. Now that the trailer has you for an owner, you'll get it back in good working (and water-shedding) order soon! Thanks for the update.

[48Rob]

I could be mistaken...

But I think he meant to use cork to make a gasket, not get "a" cork to seal the lights.
It can be bought in rolls at automotive stores and hobby stores, 1/8" and thicker.
Cut with scissors to make your own gaskets.
Plumbers putty may work as well.

Of more importance than the seal between the lens and fixture, is the seal between the fixture and body, if it leaks, water gets inside the wall.
If the lamps are mounted on an angle, check closely to see that all holes and screws are sealed well, including the wire(s) that penetrate the skin.

Rob

[DragonFire]

I thought it was more funny to think of it as "your trailer leaks so much just get a giant cork for it!!"

Yeah..I've seen the cork. Funny you should say that, because we're installing cork on the underside of the table..someone took the original fabric off so it's just bare wood. I thought a little cork board might be handy, so we're figuring the measurements and getting ready to cut the 12" square cork pieces.

It looks like the running lights are sealed to the body. The lenses all the way around are a little wiggly...and yes, the front ones are on a slope. I'm going to put some putty on them and see how it goes.

As far as the trailer not being cared for..it was at the Dam a few years ago. A guy Grant and Gage know owned it. He bought it after he crashed with his other 'Hopper when hitting black ice..but he kept it in the climate controlled garage the whole time. One of my reasons for getting a small trailer was I wanted a secure, dry spot in case of a storm when camping. So it needs to be weather proof.

I'm working on finding stuff like my can opener and pots and pans right now...the stuff from the old trailer. I've got the 'Hopper open and airing out..the garnish is back in on the hatch, and I'll tear into the galley hatch on Friday..so I have a full 3 days in a row in case I get held up on something.

Hopefully it will be sound after that. I'm really looking forward to the Dam...just bought the giant Campfire marshmallows at the store and a bunch of other things for the trip. Starting to get things organized. I just hope I'm not in a leaky camper!

[campmaster-k]

I thought it was more funny to think of it as "your trailer leaks so much just get a giant cork for it!!"

Yeah..I've seen the cork. Funny you should say that, because we're installing cork on the underside of the table..someone took the original fabric off so it's just bare wood. I thought a little cork board might be handy, so we're figuring the measurements and getting ready to cut the 12" square cork pieces.

It looks like the running lights are sealed to the body. The lenses all the way around are a little wiggly...and yes, the front ones are on a slope. I'm going to put some putty on them and see how it goes.

As far as the trailer not being cared for..it was at the Dam a few years ago. A guy Grant and Gage know owned it. He bought it after he crashed with his other 'Hopper when hitting black ice..but he kept it in the climate controlled garage the whole time. One of my reasons for getting a small trailer was I wanted a secure, dry spot in case of a storm when camping. So it needs to be weather proof.

I'm working on finding stuff like my can opener and pots and pans right now...the stuff from the old trailer. I've got the 'Hopper open and airing out..the garnish is back in on the hatch, and I'll tear into the galley hatch on Friday..so I have a full 3 days in a row in case I get held up on something.

Hopefully it will be sound after that. I'm really looking forward to the Dam...just bought the giant Campfire marshmallows at the store and a bunch of other things for the trip. Starting to get things organized. I just hope I'm not in a leaky camper!

Its not going to rain at the dam anyway. Right? My tear has never lived outside and it does not know of these fears. It will not do well in a untested environment. It is sensitive. I vote for no rain. Yes I do think it would be best.

[DragonFire]

It's supposed to rain before we hit the Dam. Hopefully just enough to be sure the repairs worked. I do have a cover for the 'Hopper, but need to find out the hard way if anything leaks.

I had fun working on it today. Fun stuff. Getting things out of the boxes from the other trailer..picking out what pots and pans I might need this trip, putting the garnish back in, stuffing the foam back into the covers for the seats/bed, getting batteries into the new weatherproof lantern I got on clearance the other day (hey, remember, it leaks!) buying giant Campfire marshmallows, ordering the cooktop for the fake fire, getting stuff ready to go.

Next I get to make lists for the meals, what goes in the trailer, what goes in the truck..so we don't forget anything. The trailer is looking good..if only it deosn't leak!! I've got a plan for the hatch and other things just in case, stored a roll of plastic sheeting, found 2 tarps for the truck (and the trailer, if it rains!)..gotta try out the 10x10 with sides, make a DO dish, check propane levels, round up the lanterns and single burner stove, toas-tite irons (oh, crap! Gotta put 2 of those in the pile!)..off to work for 4 days, then 3 days of getting ready for the Dam. I need to get all this stuff down on paper so my brain can rest (and yes, I've got the decaf ready to roll!!)

Wish me luck, and you will all know when I roll into camp at the Dam..I might as well have a flashing neon sign on me saying "Here's Dragonfire!!" There just aren't that many Grasshoppers left, and probably not another one pulled by a white Ranger super cab. That would just be too weird....

[S. Heisley]

Its not going to rain at the dam anyway. Right?

It's too soon to say. We should know 10 days before...maybe...but, usually, it doesnt' rain then.
I vote for no rain, too! (Too bad Ma Nature does whatever she pleases.)

[DragonFire]

I'm trying to be prepared just in case. Might rain here before the Dam.

I guess I'd better find a big cork, like Slow said!

Yeah..cutting strips of cork to seal the lights is too tedious for me. And I work with teeth all day. I'm going to do the putty snake method on those front lights.

I'm going to pack the truck and the tear like I expect rain...no sleeping bags or duffels in the bed.

Oh snap..I've got to get the measurements for the Coleman cooler trays...shoot..forgot with all this other stuff going on...

Slow..I ordered the cook top for the little red campfire from Amazon. Free shipping when over $25, so I ordered a Forest service DO cookbook..came to just pennies over $25 to qualify for free shipping. I'll report back on how it holds up to CI frying pans or whatever!

[Mukilteo]

I know what you mean by working on teeth all day and not wanting to do any detail work after work.

These weren't even inplant cases.

[DragonFire]

Just looking at those dentures and the lathe give me work anxiety (day off here!)

OK..just to report back...had a good storm in the last couple of days...NO LEAKS!!! Don't know how I did it, but I think I did it. Might spring more somewhere else, but nothing right now.

I can now start loading the trailer for the Dam. It really is a go. Can't quite believe it yet, but it is.

Now I can start some test recipes!!! Whoo Hooo!!!

[S. Heisley]

Congratulations, Dragonfire! That's got to be a relief.

[Mukilteo]

Did you ever find the glide tape you were looking for?