Absolutely gutted! Water leak and haven't even camped out yet!

[MizzouMan_2000]

Getting ready to go on our first true camp out this coming weekend. My wife texts me at work to tell me our camper had water on the table. New 2017 we've only had since end of March and already regretting it.

Water appears to have come in from the roof antenna, down the coax, through the jack in the cabinet where it accumulated under and on all of our remotes, then spilled out onto the table.

I don't trust turning on any power right now. The 120v and 12v outlets were wet. Luckily I had the disconnect off so no live power in the unit right now.

[Wiscampsin]

Check all the caulking around the antenna mount and where the coax boot enters the roof of your camper. There's also an O ring that might need a little lube. Check out this thread on antenna leaking: http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...eak-38196.html

[gizmo98]

I had a similar experience with my Hot water tank newbie mistake forgot to take the drain plug out when winterizing it cracked at the weld where the electric relay heater is connected to it and split down see pic I welding friend of mine says it was the weld was bad and it is fixable my dealer says Forester river will not pay for it because water damaged it [IMG]IMG_20170502_092347[/IMG]

[Flybob]

X2 on the little rubber boot on the coax. They tend slip up the coax and water will wick down the coax and into the RV. If this is the case, a small amount of Shoe Goo ( available at craft stores) inside the boot will keep it in place. It is easy to remove should you need to do so.

[MizzouMan_2000]

What about electrical? I've been running my large dehumidifier in the RV plugged into the house since last night. Humidity got down to 45% from 65% but now back to 65%??! Maybe because it's so cool in there at the moment.

Is this something the warranty should cover for water damage?


We had about 5" of rain this weekend.

[Slimjc]

Mizzou - I also have a Sunseeker - 3120 to be exact. After reading this forum when I got my rig the first upgrade that I did was to Eternabond every seam on that thing. I know this may not be your issue for the current problem but I highly recommend it for the future. Water is of course the enemy in these things and the factory seal jobs seem to leave alot to be desired. Spend the $140 or so dollars and tape every place on the roof that has dicor on it. You will sleep oh so much better.

[MizzouMan_2000]

I climbed up on the roof. The way they did this it doesn't have a boot. Will post photos later.

[squbadoo100]

Don't do a thing but take Pics then take the Brand new unit back and demand a new unit they messed up and it will never be right even if they repair the leak not worth the hassle on your part.

[jeff64]

I had something very similar to what you're experiencing. Winegard antenna. Attached to the handle is a hex shaft with an "o" ring which was missing. Replaced the hex shaft and new o ring. Problem solved. If I recall you had to put the antenna up and go topside and remove an "e" clip to get the handle out. Owner's manual I believe states it should get periodic lubrication. You check

[MizzouMan_2000]

This is what I found when I climbed on the roof.
Suspicious seal job.


Crack in the antenna


Missing rubber end on the antenna element.


Small holes in seal around base of antenna

[hdmtnrider]

I think I would be on the way back to the dealer ASAP! How long did it sit at the Dealer's lot and leak?

[D-Man]

Take it back to the dealer, this should be on them and Forest River, not you.

[MizzouMan_2000]

Originally Posted by D-Man

Take it back to the dealer, this should be on them and Forest River, not you.

No doubt. It just sucks because this is going to cause us to cancel our first planned camp out this weekend and the dealer is an hour drive away.

I've contacted the dealer, sent all the photos. Now it's a matter of finding the time to get it there, have my wife follow me because we aren't set up to tow.

[Flybob]

It looks like the ant may have hit something hanging low. I would return it to dealer and send photos to FR rep. If they say they plan to repair it, I would ask them to call you once it has been torn down so you can go to dealer to look at to verify the amount of water damage if any.

[MizzouMan_2000]

Is there a reasonable alternative to Dicor that I could use to plug the gaps I see around the coax as seen here:


The RV places nearest me are closed already & we have more rain coming in. I wanted to seal it up to at least prevent more damage.

[Snowman9000]

I know earlier you asked about something better than Dicor. But really, Dicor is the thing to use. Just get it in the gap. Whatever you do, don't use silicone.

You could wrap the antenna with a garbage bag or two for now, also. Maybe wrap it with a towel so it doesn't poke through the bag.

Good luck!

[MizzouMan_2000]

Originally Posted by Snowman9000

I know earlier you asked about something better than Dicor. But really, Dicor is the thing to use. Just get it in the gap. Whatever you do, don't use silicone.

You could wrap the antenna with a garbage bag or two for now, also. Maybe wrap it with a towel so it doesn't poke through the bag.

Good luck!

I was just looking for something I could get easier than dicor since it's apparently only available at RV places and they're all closed. I wanted to get some and get it on before we get more rain, which is expected to be tomorrow evening. I might could get some around lunch time and go patch it so it has enough time to set up before we get rain, but there's a slight chance of rain at mid-day.

[MizzouMan_2000]

Originally Posted by Snowman9000

You could wrap the antenna with a garbage bag or two for now, also. Maybe wrap it with a towel so it doesn't poke through the bag.

Good luck!

The problem isn't with the antenna. It's with the coax that comes out of the antenna and goes through the roof. I was trying to think if there's a way to maybe put plastic over it and use some tape to try to prevent water from getting into it, but not sure how I could tape it up that would make it less likely to leak.

[MacGumbo]

I use Sikaflex 715. It doesn't get as stiff and create cracks later on.

[The_Rhino]

While shopping for TTs in the wet spring months I purposefully stopped after work at local dealers & viewed units in the middle of/just after heavy rains... A new unit, same brand/model as the one we eventually got, leaked water badly... The salesperson verified that all vents, etc. were closed while we both watched a HEAVY stream of water pour down a wall, across the dinette, and out under the slide-out... The salesperson put a work-order in, and I (imagine) they sealed the leak. However, I'm sure someone eventually bought that unit...

NOTE TO OP: IMO there is no way to know how much water entered the RV & how much hidden damage was done while it was traveling to the dealership, sitting in the lot, etc. IMO it would be worth it to pay a professional 3rd party repair service to carefully inspect your unit to make certain there is no unseen lasting damage... IMO the materials used inside RVs are not capable of being exposed to water for more than a few hours before permanent damage is done...

Back to the new/wet TT... This experience led us to buy a mildly used unit, same brand/model, that appeared to have better fit & finish than ANY of the new units on the lot... (Older unit built during the recession vs. the current RV boom...) On the used unit I spent 2 hours looking behind every cubby with a flashlight verifying that the original saw dust (which they always carelessly leave-behind) was still spread-evenly in those areas & not clumped-up like rivers of water had flowed across it...

Before the PDI the dealer included a FREE pressurized leak-test & re-caulking & then we spent 2.5 hours doing a full PDI hooked-up to everything, water up to full pressure, etc. We have camped for the next 3 years without any issues.