Brand new camper-LEAK!

[Haelles]

We have had our camper 2 weeks.....brand new...haven’t even gone out yet....went to storage to drop off supplies.....small water marks at the top where wall meets roof. Called Camping World (where we bought it)...they want us to bring it in. Our old camper was 12 yrs old and never leaked! Will they fix it so it will be ok for many years to come? What about the water stains on the wall?! Who’s going to want to buy it from us in a few years time showing evidence of water leak? Does anyone have advice or experience? Thank you.

[bikendan]

First, you need to post make and model of RV, since you have none of that information listed in your profile.
Second, please post pics of affected areas.
Third, if it's still under warranty, you may want to have an independent RV shop or mobile RV technician do the work, instead of CW. You just have to get pre-approval from FR and be willing to be reimbursed.

[Haelles]

Sorry! It’s a Wolf pup 18to...2019. We did take pix, but only from inside as we were at storage and didn’t have a ladder to get up top. We have an apt. with CW on Monday but will contact FR first I guess. Thank you!

[Daycruiser]

Originally Posted by Haelles

Sorry! It’s a Wolf pup 18to...2019. We did take pix, but only from inside as we were at storage and didn’t have a ladder to get up top. We have an apt. with CW on Monday but will contact FR first I guess. Thank you!

Ok calm down, it's too early to over react. Wait and see what CW says or does, show them the water stains and let them go from there. You bought it there so give them a chance to fix it before calling mom and dad in Indiana.

[Haelles]

Right to the right of door over window, foot of bed......

[bikendan]

Have you ever inspected the roof caulking? Since a 2018 model was probably built in 2017, the caulking is already 2 years old and could have cracks. My 2016 was only a years old and had leaks like yours, due to cracked roof caulk.
You should be inspecting it at least every 6 months.

[Haelles]

We had not checked anything on it as we had just purchased in the last two weeks brand new from Camping World. We expected it would be checked by them as they were selling it to us as new.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Haelles

We had not checked anything on it as we had just purchased in the last two weeks brand new from Camping World. We expected it would be checked by them as they were selling it to us as new.

Unfortunately many CWs have a bad reputation, especially regarding service departments.
Did you inspect the roof when you did the PDI/walkthrough?
I made the dealer get me a ladder so I could could inspect it.

[Haelles]

We saw the camper when we agreed to buy it and there were 2 small things which we pointed out to sales and he said they would fix it. It never dawned on us there would be something structural....this is our third camper, but first brand new one. CW is pretty far from us, so I think today I will call FR and see if they recommend someone closer for this. I am pretty disappointed. Our last camper was a FR Surveyor and it was really great.

[Semperfi24]

Thats a bummer that you get to start off in a new camper with a bad taste in your mouth. The good news is you found it early. But I completely get why you are dismayed. Its brand new, shouldnt be any water leaks. Go online, Amazon usually has it at a good price, and get some Eternabond tape. Many RVers apply Eternabond tape, as the first thing they do when they get the new camper, to all of the roof seams, around all vents/openings, etc as a precaution to prevent such leaks. Good luck with Camping World, some people have had positive experiences with their service, many have not. If it were my camper, even after it gets fixed, I'd apply the Eternabond because its an awesome product, easy to use, and I have never seen anyone with a leak after applying it. Below you will find a video that should answer all of your questions about it, how to apply it, what it looks like, etc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spdYGUtZVcU

[Daycruiser]

Originally Posted by Semperfi24

Thats a bummer that you get to start off in a new camper with a bad taste in your mouth. The good news is you found it early. But I completely get why you are dismayed. Its brand new, shouldnt be any water leaks. Go online, Amazon usually has it at a good price, and get some Eternabond tape.

Just put a sheet of plastic over the leak area and tape it down until you can get the rig to CW to be assessed. FR might send a mobile tech to stop the leak but you still will need interior panels replaced and that's parts to be shipped.

[Haelles]

Thank you very much, friends! FR said we should take it back to CW. While we bought it in June, they had it on the lot since Oct. and apparently didn’t check the seals. FR said CW should replace the paneling which will take care of the water marks. CW can get us in 7/1 but we have our big trip 7/20. Hope they can pull it off in time.

[Semperfi24]

I should note, my Eternabond suggestion was for after it gets repaired.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Have you ever inspected the roof caulking? Since a 2018 model was probably built in 2017, the caulking is already 2 years old and could have cracks. My 2016 was only a years old and had leaks like yours, due to cracked roof caulk.
You should be inspecting it at least every 6 months.

Post says it's a 2019 dan.

[Maggot]

Originally Posted by Semperfi24

I should note, my Eternabond suggestion was for after it gets repaired.

Leaks are horrible. Best of luck with getting it right. I had a leaky roof and it was not fun. I fixed it finally but it took finding Eternabond to make it not leak. However delamn was already there.



In my opinion Eternabond is the best product for campers since the RV AC were introduced.



I did an Eternabond project on my new rig within 2 weeks of it rolling off the assembly line. I feel this is the best thing I could have done for it. Still will inspect it very often and will be touching up the Dicor on the lap and the Trempro 645 on the sides.


Keep in mind roofs are not the only leak spots. Every seal and penetration on a camper needs to be watched like a hawk does the chickens.



Have said it many times that there are only 2 kinds of campers, ones that are leaking and ones that will.

[Daycruiser]

Originally Posted by Maggot

Have said it many times that there are only 2 kinds of campers, ones that are leaking and ones that will.

I don't necessarily agree with this statement, I've owned RVs for a very long time and have never had a leak from a roof seam or penetration. Neglect is usually the reason for leaks, if you stay on top of the roof maintenance and check all the seams and penetrations, clean and reseal as needed you won't have a leak.

[Maggot]

Originally Posted by Daycruiser

I don't necessarily agree with this statement, I've owned RVs for a very long time and have never had a leak from a roof seam or penetration. Neglect is usually the reason for leaks, if you stay on top of the roof maintenance and check all the seams and penetrations, clean and reseal as needed you won't have a leak.

Yes. You get it. That is what I mean.


Don't neglect your roof.


Maggot

[Mike91]

Neglect has nothing to do with leaks. I paid way to much money yearly for re-sealing and leaktech inspections by my dealer. The roof got a leak and luckily was right into the bathtub from the sky light. The gasket in the skylight rotted and caused the leak. Took them 2 times to have it before they found the leak and fixed it.

My previous brand new 2019 camper had horrible leaks among many other major problems. One leak would get fixed at the factory, then another would happen right after getting it home. I got rid of that problem immediately.

The OPs leak looks pretty minor to me compared to what I had but what's not seen could be much worse.

Just make sure no structural damage has been done by the leak as warped, swollen, stained, or rotted wood. Inspect it yourself and do it patiently and give yourself time to find any issues if there are any. If any are found, make all damage be replaced, not fixed or jerry rigged.

Good luck with your new camper. I just had my first trip in my new 2716g huge pop up. I really missed camping in a pop up when I went to the travel trailers and am glad to be back.

[shopinful]

Our RV was bought new in December but is a 2018. The roof is fiberglass versus rubber. We have no leaks but I am thinking that we should be checking out the roof since watching this video. Can eternabond be put on fiberglass roofs as well?

[Maggot]

Originally Posted by shopinful

Our RV was bought new in December but is a 2018. The roof is fiberglass versus rubber. We have no leaks but I am thinking that we should be checking out the roof since watching this video. Can eternabond be put on fiberglass roofs as well?

Their claim:


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