• Greg F
    331
    I recently had a leak issue with our year and a half old truck camper.

    Insert trim is a common joint system on many RV's.

    The beauty cap on this trim isn't always sealed to the metal trim. At least it wasn't on our camper. Because of that water can get behind it and down on to the screws that attach the trim to the structure of the camper. It's important to make sure these screws are well sealed. They can be inspected by popping the insert trim out. This insert trim is a serviceable part and can be replaced easily. Here is a video in which Ray is inspecting (and covering) his.

    Start at 6:45

    In our case with a truck camper this trim runs from the face of the cap to the underside of the camper where the insert trim becomes inverted and holds any water that comes from the trim above. So our leak went undetected as water that was wicking up from the underside of the cabover collected into the cap and not noticeable.

    EWKf74Xl.png

    Despite being out of warranty the manufacturer stepped up and offered to make the repair. Being out of state and not able to travel right now I decided to fix it myself. The leak was contained to the fiberglass cap which wasn't damaged so the leak didn't concern me that much. Here was the fix.

    I removed the insert trim which is very easy to do. Just use a small flat bar or wide screwdriver. Once one side pops out the trim easily pulls out of the track. Then liberal amounts of dicor on the screw heads.

    xHnl7PYl.png

    I also added weep holes on the underside where we had water collecting.

    pJGVIFrl.jpg

    Finally I caulked the insert trim to the channel using Proflex Sealant to keep water out from the start.

    This insert trim cap is readily available, cheap and easy to replace. Not a bad idea to pull it out and inspect your screws to make sure they are sealed well, or cover this seam as ray did in the above video with eternabond tape. Just thought I would throw that out there for any of you that do your own camper caulking and sealing. Don't forget your insert trim!

    Greg
  • Ray
    1.3k
    Thanks for this post @Greg F I've been meaning to pull mine off the sidewall corners on the Cougar and check things out. Good reminder.
  • Randy Vallis
    57
    Great job and a great heads up.
  • Lorraine
    70
    Greg, my Greg was wondering if you have spent a lot of time with the camper near the ocean? Salt air will wreck havoc that way.

    It is definitely important to maintain a good caulk, not for the insert, but around the piece it snaps into. Especially the top side of that piece at the bottom of a wall. That is where water can get in and destroy a floor.

    Glad to hear you were successful.
  • Greg F
    331
    Some travels along the coast. We really haven't had any issues with rust or corrosion. When we are along the coast I wash the truck and camper more often especially if we are right on the beach itself.
  • VW's-Travels
    92
    My inserts took a beating with last summer spent in the sun and heat of Arizona. They had cracked in half in several spots. So, today was the day to replace them and looky what I found....
    Didn't have any Dicor so just backed each screw out, gave them a shot of silicon and ran them back in.
    The replacement insert was "JR Products". Both softer and thicker than the OEM.
    uporcgl05o3e731f.jpg
  • Greg F
    331
    Glad that you checked and sealed the screws up tight. These slow undetected periodic leaks can add up to trouble over the years.
  • Don D
    10
    Great job on the fix
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