Lips over doors.

[urocav2001]

I'm wondering why forest river does not put lips above each one of thier hybrid
doors like many other manufacturers do. I would assume this would cut down on the risk of water intrusion. Tremendously...

[PineForestCamper]

That lip is called drip cap. Yes it probably would cut down on water intrusion. Not all. A couple of weeks ago we opened our 233s (three beds) to see how how everything held up over the long, cold, and snowy winter. When we dropped the beds everything was dry and no sign of water at all. When we closed it up my wife noticed that on the front bed there was a slight amount of fabric/canvas sticking out the top middle part of the bed. Not huge but significant enough that it was noticed by her when she parked in the driveway the next day. She let me know and I went out and took a look. I inspected all three doors and only the front one had any fabric sticking out. She was ready to drop the bed and reclose it as heavy rains were in the forecast for the next two days. I told her lets leave it and see what happens. Sure enough after the rain stopped a couple of days later we reopened the beds and the front one dropped about 2-3 cups of water. There was no water inside the camper but I'm sure it would have found its way inside over time. I also bet it would have caused some issues had it been fall and headed into a frozen winter. I'm pretty sure that a drip cap would not have helped in this scenario as enough of the bed was sticking out that water would have found its way in. There was not a lot of fabric sticking out but enough to let in lots of water after two days of rain. This serves as a reminder to me that we need to thoroughly inspect those doors after closing them which we usually do. The irony here also is that we were closing them up after inspecting them for water intrusion. We have had water come in a couple of times now and in both cases the intrusion was caused by operator error. I'm sure a drip cap would not have helped in our test but the amount of overhang would have had to be very significant to make up for the fabric sticking out. I should have taken pictures. Oh well. Next time.

[urocav2001]

We actually take our matresses off the doors for winter, that way there is no where for the fabric to go but inside. Just was wondering if there was any specific reason they don't use that method .

[rockfordroo]

I take my mattress off every time I fold up.

[bikendan]

which doors are you talking about?
the bunk end doors or the entrance door?

i have rain gutters over my bunk end doors.

and i have never put taken our mattresses off the bunk end doors.
they are snapped and strapped to the inside of the door.

been working fine for over 7 years with no leaks.

[kpm]

Originally Posted by bikendan

which doors are you talking about?
the bunk end doors or the entrance door?

i have rain gutters over my bunk end doors.

and i have never put taken our mattresses off the bunk end doors.
they are snapped and strapped to the inside of the door.

been working fine for over 7 years with no leaks.

This is interesting. Can you describe or post a pic of your gutters above the doors? This might help as I try to correct my water issues.

Thanks,
Kip

[urocav2001]

The bunk doors....

[kpm]

hmmm. wonder if this gutter system will work? I'm not sure if it will be wide enough. I'll have to get some measurements.

EZE-RV Gutter System10' Package - Ultra-White - Essential Products GR 05054 - RV Gutter - Camping World

[urocav2001]

Hmmmm. Maybe , but I don't know why they would not just make some nice aluminum ones and install them from the factory.. I see many people don't have a problem, but many others in this forum deal with leaking seals, delaminates doors ect..

[kpm]

Yup. In my little bit of experience, Ive noticed that if that seal is not perfect than water can get in. Whether it by user error or some other issue. It would be cool if there was some gutter system or deflector installed above the door from the factory just as a safeguard.

[kpm]

Originally Posted by urocav2001

I'm wondering why forest river does not put lips above each one of thier hybrid
doors like many other manufacturers do. I would assume this would cut down on the risk of water intrusion. Tremendously...

While I hope my leak issue has been solved, I've been poking around trying to make a modification and add a lip or rain deflector. Here is a sample of something I came across. It's just sitting up there as sample. If I cannot come up with anything from the local hardware store, I'll just try to find some RV gutters.

[urocav2001]

That looks nice... Just a corner protector right? Anyone see any problem with using anything like this?

[kpm]

Thanks. Yup just a corner protector.
I just sat it up there to see how it would look. Surprisingly, it fits right into that little slot! I also found some other items in the gutter department at lowe's that would work. It's just meant to deflect most of the water from continuosly falling on that top seal. Maybe I am going overboard... I know it's not a factory standard, but since I've had the water leakage I've been on high alert.

[bikendan]

when did they stop putting a rain gutter above the bunk doors?
my 2007 23SS has one over each bunk door.

i agree that this should be brought back.

[imflyn2]

My 2012 has gutters also. Use them to attach the Popup Gizmos.

[kpm]

Originally Posted by bikendan

when did they stop putting a rain gutter above the bunk doors?
my 2007 23SS has one over each bunk door.

i agree that this should be brought back.

Good questions. I wonder why they did away with them. The gutters seem so logical to have in that area where the seals need to be 100% effective in order to prevent leaks. At the least the gutters offer a safegaurd and/or take some of the reliance on a perfect seal.

Here is a pic I found w/gutters. This is what I am looking to add.

[itat]

The gutters definitely should help deflect some water but they don't guarantee anything. The only sure thing would be inside storage. Here's a couple pics of my front and rear bed doors with the rain gutters. I still get some water past the top seal.

[kpm]

Originally Posted by itat

The gutters definitely should help deflect some water but they don't guarantee anything. The only sure thing would be inside storage. Here's a couple pics of my front and rear bed doors with the rain gutters. I still get some water past the top seal.

Attachment 53140

Attachment 53141

Thanks for the pics itat!
I like your water supply right next to the Roo. I'm sure there is plenty of pressure!

[urocav2001]

Thanks

[Aussiecat]

I asked FR why they no longer fitted a gutter to the Roo and they said that with the we doors it wasn't necessary.