I finally got up on my roof this weekend and sure enough there were some openings in the corners of where the front cap connects to the roof. I just put some pro flex sealant on it for now. We are having afternoon showers for the rest of the week. Hope to get it to the dealer soon for proper fix. My 1 year warranty runs out next month .
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1968 tent trailer
1985 Jamboree 23 ft
1997 Minnie Winnie 25 Ft
2016 Forester 3171DS (ordered March & arrived June 2015)
I finally got up on my roof this weekend and sure enough there were some openings in the corners of where the front cap connects to the roof. I just put some pro flex sealant on it for now. We are having afternoon showers for the rest of the week. Hope to get it to the dealer soon for proper fix. My 1 year warranty runs out next month .
I better check mine tomorrow.
If I see an issue, I have an appointment at the dealer mid June. May have them do a proper fix.
Could the cracks be from stress with the frame flexing or sleeping in the cabover?
Checked the roof this morning and all seemed well. However, there were 2 spots were the caulking was starting to get little cracks. I used Dicor over them as a precaution. I did find that the little bezel around a clearance light was loose. Closer examination and there is a rubber gasket that the light seems to be set in. The bezel is just a decorative cover maybe? I could not secure it any better. Any thoughts?
I've got the 2400w and my rig has been at the dealer for two weeks already with major water damage in the overhead cab. They still aren't sure where the leak is yet but I'm waiting for the update patiently...for now. It sure is frustrating spending $80k to make memories with the kids before they leave us only to have it sit unused. Our huge trip around Lake Michigan in three weeks is looming and I am trying to stay positive they can get it repaired, but I think I need to start being realistic.
Does anyone know if we have any legal recourse besides the lack of a lemon law? I cannot cancel the upcoming trip because we're meeting up with family from all over the country. So I looked into renting an RV and it will cost me almost $3k. Anyone ever heard of the dealer or FR getting someone into a temporary replacement RV?
I just don't know what else to do at this point...feel so helpless just watching the days count down until our trip.
Wow......roof leaks are scary! Start notifying your dealers if still under warranty, and I would do this with both emails, and certified mail for documentation purposes!
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2018 Forester 3011DS (Purchased 04/26/17)
2010 Flagstaff 26 RLSS (Sold 05/16)
2012 Ford F-150 Ecoboost, Screw, H/D, 3.73
1930 lbs CCC
2014 Jeep Rubicon JK
Going where the weather suits my clothes.
Sad to say, but it seems the newer the rig, the worse the problem. After reading this, I carefully inspected our 2014 3100SS and did not see any apparent problem with any cracks or separations between the roof and end caps ( either end).
Taking another look at the clearance light photo I posted, it appears to be at an angle and may leak. Not sure about the loose spinning metal bezel. Going to take another close look tomorrow. May have to apply some clear sealant around that one and check the others. Anyone else dealt with these clearance light buttons?
Found these online: Search results for: 'Ultra-Bright 3/4" Flat Button Lights'
It's all about quality control. The grey painted pictures show a reasonable amount of caulk but my 2016 3101SS is also as thin as a plastic bag. Knowing what I know now about how this front cap is assembled I would have stayed as far away from a Forester as I could.
Just took the old moldy headliner down to prep it for the new one - not something I was looking forward to. Here's a shot of the repaired area (I have not taken all the foam down yet it's a pia
New roll
I have a question for anyone who has taken their motorhome in for warranty for a bad front cap leak - what repair exactly do they do to fix everything ? I had a small leak but if it was larger do they remove the cap and roof ? How would they ever replace the moldy or damaged luan top layer that is glued/laminated into the sandwich of a roof assembly ? I am doubting there is a way but I am very curious what the dealers do because if one of our roofs had a serious leak it would pretty much total the rv wouldn't it ?
My 2016 Forester 2701DS seems to have a great deal of caulk all around the perimeter of the roof with a coat of grey paint (full body paint). It appears good for now. But, that clearance light could be a point of entry for water and I definitely have to look into it further.
Skylillymd, your 2012 3171 ds being only 4 years old and having to do that kind of repair, YOURSELF is crazy. Tearing it down as you did is the only way to address the growing problem of mold. Good job. Did you order the ceiling fabric from FR or find it online?
Stagecoachdriver, the marker lights on my 2801 are the same.
I have the same button style lights on mine. In troubleshooting an electrical issue I discovered these running lights with the loose bezel that wasn't flush with the cap. Totally counter intuitive in my mind to have such a large gap on the leading edge and so exposed to the weather. I promptly sealed mine as best I could. Reading all these threads about recently built coaches and leaking caps makes me think I might go and double check the roof and these button lights again.
I have the same button style lights on mine. In troubleshooting an electrical issue I discovered these running lights with the loose bezel that wasn't flush with the cap. Totally counter intuitive in my mind to have such a large gap on the leading edge and so exposed to the weather. I promptly sealed mine as best I could. Reading all these threads about recently built coaches and leaking caps makes me think I might go and double check the roof and these button lights again.
Does the Bezel snap back or did you just use a clear caulk?
I tried pressing on the bezel to see if it would sit flush but couldn't get it to move. I did get a couple of them to rotate, but refrained from too much movement to avoid breaking a seal I couldn't see and/or twisting the electrical too much. I used some clear exterior rv caulk of some sort. Don't recall precisely what it was, but tried to seal all the gaps around the bezel as best I could. I can now see a slight haze on the painted portion where I used my finger to push the caulk in. I try not to let my OCD self look up there too much. Besides a little cosmetic blemish is much better than a leak. From all the weather I've camped in and driven in I would certainly think if the water seal was compromised, I would know by now. But certainly going to keep an eye on it. There's also two low points on either side of the roof where it meets the cap, and I've been thinking of pooling some self leveling dicor there to prevent a puddle building up. Standing water on top of the roof is also counter intuitive.
We lost a clearing light lens on a trip in January. The next day I didn't worry about it because I didn't think it mattered all that much. But we ran into a rain, sleet, snow squall in West Texas. It wasn't even that bad but water drops started coming out of the trim around the headliner within about 15 minutes. And it was directly below the light with the missing lens.
We had trouble finding the correct lens, but since we replaced the lens we've never had another drop of water in the RV.
Those clearance lights are perfect for leeks to develop. We "glued" all of ours on with clear silicone sealer.
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2017 Winnebago Adventurer 37F
TOAD: 2016 Lincoln MKX
We lost a clearing light lens on a trip in January. The next day I didn't worry about it because I didn't think it mattered all that much. But we ran into a rain, sleet, snow squall in West Texas. It wasn't even that bad but water drops started coming out of the trim around the headliner within about 15 minutes. And it was directly below the light with the missing lens.
We had trouble finding the correct lens, but since we replaced the lens we've never had another drop of water in the RV.
Those clearance lights are perfect for leeks to develop. We "glued" all of ours on with clear silicone sealer.
Did you find an amber to replace the red one you found?
I may call the dealer and see if they have any sugestions or can order me one. I don't want them to remove it unless they know how. It's cheaper for me to order one online than to make 2 trips to the dealer and wait. Gas costs 3 times more than the light.
DukeBoone, I always use painter's tape when caulking to avoid that issue.
Here's what my problem looks like on the front cap. Hope the photo uploaded ok. First time just using the FR app on my iPhone. Attachment 108954
Sage, don't know what to say about sealing the front marker lights. Will check mine tomorrow .
Ben, you have much more caulk on yours than I have. You know the weather and temperature could make a difference. Here in SoCal, we seldom have temperatures in the 30's or 40's and it's mostly in the 60-80's. Keeps the caulk soft and flexible. I still can put a foot print into it if I step on it. Can dig my fingers into too. Is your caulk rock hard?
You must have a filter setting on the camera. We both have the same paint job.