Leaky front window.

[debbiej]

When we bought the t139, we knew it had a soft spot under the window, and we knew it would need attention. My husband, who was a builder of custom adobe homes, is an expert at sealants and caulking. He has gone over all the seals in the trailer, and felt sure they were not going to leak.

While on our trip, it rained, then turned to snow. The front window did leak around the bottom, and neither of us could really pinpoint where it was leaking. When I closed the rock guard while it was raining, the leaking stopped. He is pretty sure the rubber gasket that holds the glass into the frame isn't sealing. The gasket is soft but there just isn't any other place we can find.

The damaged wood around the window isn't real big, and he has a nifty method of putting in new wood and splices combined with a resin that has fixed soft spots in wood before.

While we are at this, I would love an opening window in the front, but don't know where to start looking for one.

 

[profdant139]

Don't get an opening window for the front -- it is an invitation for leaks.

And if the window is leaking, the fix is not complicated but is labor intensive. Using two folks, you unscrew the window and lift it out. Clean off all the caulking from all surfaces. Use butyl tape (which is really just a type of caulking) and form a gasket around the edge of the window. Reinstall the window. Clean off the squeeze-out.

Few manufacturers do this the right way the first time. Cruiser was guilty of using inadequate caulking, as were other companies.

Yes, it is a bit of a hassle, but you will be glad that you did it the right way.

 

[debbiej]

that is the way I want to do it. we did that once with a small c class we had, and it wasn't too bad of a job. My husband is sure it is the window unit it's self that is leaking, where the glass is installed into the frame. Of course it just could never hurt to re-install the window with the butyl tape, because I'm sure that's where the original leak was. the PO did a horrid sloppy job of calking around and around that window. but we're afraid something is wrong with the glass in the window, the white rubber gasket seems to have slipped out and is not reseating.

we will not replace with an opening window. thanks!

 

[profdant139]

If it is the window and the rubber gasket that are leaking, you might want to get it professionally re-done. Our front window recently cracked (due to extreme thermal stress -- cold inside the trailer, blazing hot outside). We got a new tempered window -- we went to an ordinary glass outfit, not an RV specialist. They installed a new gasket. Then my wife and I reinstalled the whole affair into the opening in the front of the trailer.

The new gasket they put on was nice and tight.

 

[debbiej]

I'm glad to know we can do that, thanks!

 

[debbiej]

also, I found there really is not many other solutions. I didn't know that replacement windows were so hard to obtain!

 

[debbiej]

a hodgepodge of a post on this same situation/topic. We started to investigate the soft spot under the window. It isn't huge, but it does involve a couple of the framing members around the window. luckily it doesn't go too far, but we did have to cut out a L shaped piece around the bottom right of the front window. someone in our neighborhood was having an estate sale, and I stopped by to see what they had for sale. the man had a lot of wood, his hobby being woodworking. I picked up a 4 x 4 sheet of the prettiest wood, the thickness we need to patch the hole my DH made to repair the rotten framing. It is almost an exact match for the cabinets in our fun finder. I just got the one piece, but there was more. I'm thinking how it would look to replace the whole lower wall of that section with a warm grained hardwood wall. Maybe sort of retro? Its tempting, but we will probably use the wallpaper we had planned to cover the patch.

 

[twinster2]

Just so you are aware, there have also been several posts of water entering the front thru the front top running lights. Therefore, while you are working on the window, you may want to seal those running lights. Good luck.

 

[debbiej]

Thanks! We will do that area as well.