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Country Coach Restoration, Repair & Parts Forums => Country Coach Archive => Topic started by: Hickorytcharm on September 11, 2012, 11:48:21 pm

Title: Leak inside driverside Slide so wet mushroom are growing
Post by: Hickorytcharm on September 11, 2012, 11:48:21 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 82296 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/82296)
We have discover that water is seeping in somewhere from our slide out Where the carpet overlaps is completely wet and where the desk sits, it seems that the water has soaked the base cabinet because the stain from the cabinet is now on the carpet. We found several mushrooms growing there. The walls are not wet, the windows are not wet.
The slide out is on the drivers side. It seems that the other end by the table is dry.
We are taking the coach in tomorrow and I have contact our insurance agent too.
Has anyone every had this kind of leak? We had the slides out and they have slide toppers, and it has been raining, but not blowing or alot of gust.

Thanks for you help

05 Country Coach Inspire
Lori
Title: Re: Leak inside driverside Slide so wet mushroom are growing
Post by: Scott on September 12, 2012, 12:38:46 am
Yahoo Message Number: 82299 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/82299)
Lori - Sorry to hear of your dilemma. I wrote an article (2 parts) on this here: http://www.muniac.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=111#Post111 (http://www.muniac.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=111#Post111) Perhaps this will explain the situation and provide some help. Yes we've had many slide leaks.

At 08:48 PM 9/11/2012, you wrote:
Title: Re: Leak inside driverside Slide so wet mushroom are growing
Post by: Tom Coomes on September 12, 2012, 01:49:06 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 82313 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/82313)
I also feel your pain. My Drivers side slide has been leaking , and has gotten much worse. I had water running off of the window valence, have water inside a cabinet, and also have water laying in the roofing material of the slide. I have found a bad joint in the front corner. The sealing tape was cut short and they used caulking to cover the gap. The caulking evidently did not bond well. I am trying to get dried out so when the weather calls for rain I pull in the slide. I to have the carefree awnings. When we get to GA this fall I will look in to replacing them.

Tom Coomes

2005 Inspire 51177
Title: Re: Leak inside driverside Slide so wet mushroom are growing
Post by: Scott on September 12, 2012, 02:03:24 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 82314 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/82314)
Tom - Sounds like you got soaked more than us. We too have the Carefree of Colorado awnings but replaced the fabric with something more appropriate. Good luck effecting repairs.

At 10:49 AM 9/12/2012, you wrote:
Title: Re: Leak inside driverside Slide so wet mushroom are growing
Post by: Jock Vargo on September 12, 2012, 02:38:13 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 82316 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/82316)
Scott,

You said you had the fabric replaced on your Carefree awning. What did you use and who did you have do the work. Mine have some seams going and need to replace the awnings or the material. I have the Carefree that are toppers and window shades all in one.

Thanks,

Jock Vargo
2005 Inspire
51428
Title: Re: Leak inside driverside Slide so wet mushroom are growing
Post by: Dan Fahrion on September 12, 2012, 03:10:34 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 82317 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/82317)
Jock

I have replaced most of my awnings and covers and ordered the material from Carefree. I did not think the cost was that outrageous.
I found that the problem was not so much the material as the stitching. I don't know if a UV protectant on the seams would help delay the process.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348
Title: Re: Leak inside driverside Slide so wet mushroom are growing
Post by: Michael Title on September 12, 2012, 03:47:47 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 82319 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/82319)
Gentlemen,

I replaced the one piece topper/window awnings with a separate topper and window awnings. I also had all the seems re-sealed at the same time that he topper was off.
The holes do not match the one piece system so I now have stainless steel bolts in the old holes. So far to good.

Michael

05 Inspire 51381

**************************************** Michael Title

Halfmoon Bay, BC, Canada
CDN Cell: 604.741.3328

San Miguel De Allende, GTO Mexico MEX Cell: [52] 415.100.1543
Title: Re: Leak inside driverside Slide so wet mushroom are growing
Post by: Jock Vargo on September 12, 2012, 06:18:38 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 82323 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/82323)
Don,

Did you do the replacement yourself or did you have some one do the change out?

Jock Vargo
Title: Re: Leak inside driverside Slide so wet mushroom are growing
Post by: Scott on September 12, 2012, 08:21:40 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 82326 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/82326)
Jock - I replaced all four of my awning topper with Sea Mark marine grade cover material. It's an acrylic fabric impregnated with a vinyl water barrier on one side. The material is absolutely water tight. Puddles could lay in the awnings indefinitely without any bleeding. Sugarhouse Awnings in Salt Lake City did the work. They specialize in custom boat covers. I sent them one of the small awnings as a sample then three drawings of the others. I also added 1" on either side to max out the drum width. The job was about $1k as I recall. They used U/V rated industrial thread on all seams. So far I'm happy with this material.
Sealing the OEM Care Free of Colorado awning material to be water tight is impossible. Plus I think their thread is cheap. Our seams let go too and at $175 for a small awing topper this is an outrage!
Slides suffer from a myriad of design problems that go beyond awning toppers. I can say that good watertight material is the first step you should take in the crusade against costly water damage. For reference I documented my observations on CC slides and their issues here: http://www.muniac.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=111#Post111 (http://www.muniac.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=111#Post111) At the end of part one there's a bit on the tracks which was another source of leaks.
I'm about 98% tight at this point. One of our neighbors (had CC Allure) spent $6K to redo his awnings. The paramount feature of his improvements was a 12" overhang (front/back) on all awning toppers. The best I could do (with existing drum) was an extra 1" hither and yonder. I've supplemented the windward side with straps to survive high windstorms. So far so good with this system. I believe a complete and proper solution (awning topper system) that addresses all aspects of being watertight isn't possible.
I know your system is different but good watertight fabric can only help. Sea Mark is good stuff and comes in many colors. I chose black to melt snow and ice in the winter. Hope this helps. Stay dry.

At 11:38 AM 9/12/2012, you wrote:
Title: Re: Leak inside driverside Slide so wet mushroom are growing
Post by: BobM on September 13, 2012, 12:10:57 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 82337 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/82337)
The area on the roof of each slide out where the roof meets the side wall has separated several time and leaks water run down the inside of the wall. The worse area was the front of the driver side slideout. Had mold in the corner under the table.

Bob Mussman

2006 Allure 470 31434
Title: Re: Leak inside driverside Slide so wet mushroom are growing
Post by: Don Clemens on September 13, 2012, 01:14:21 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 82340 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/82340)
I also had a leak in the driver's side slide this past spring. I unbolted the slide cover/window awning, removed the caulk from all the seams, top and sides, and applied white Eternabond tape. This was the 3 inch wide version that I had to order from the company. This product is primarily used for roofing seams and is available, usually, from local roofing suppliers. However, I could only find it in 6 inch widths locally. I have used this tape to repair black and gray water tanks and it doesn't leak! It also does not require any periodic maintenance. I ordered a 50 ft roll from the company directly. It is also available in black and silver color. A great product that can also be used around vent pipes, air vent openings and sky lights. Since applying Eternabond we made a 2500 mile trip to the midwest this summer with a couple of thunderstorms and NO LEAKS.

Don

2000 Magna #5854
Title: Re: Leak inside driverside Slide so wet mushroom are growing
Post by: Scott on September 13, 2012, 10:04:05 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 82352 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/82352)
Don - I think tape is the only practical way to solve this problem. Glad your solution has sealed things up.

At 10:14 AM 9/13/2012, you wrote:
Title: Re: Leak inside driverside Slide so wet mushroom are growing
Post by: Dan Fahrion on September 14, 2012, 08:33:06 am
Yahoo Message Number: 82355 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/82355)
Jock

I don't work off ladders anymore. OMC ordered the slide covers from Carefree and installed them in their shop and it was amazing how fast it goes when you know what you are doing and have the right equipment. I ordered the door awning and a local RV dealer installed it. Jock we fought the leaking slide issue for 3 or four years; including two trips to the factory and about three years again took it to OMC and we have not had an issue since. One thing the factory did was to remove that tent like structure on the main slides which only tended to trap the water on the slide. If I had more initiative I would look for a sealer or UV protectant to put on the thread. Our covers were ok but it was the tread in the seams that were failing.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348