VanleighRe-sealing the nose of a fifth wheel

[tourusa]

Hi all

I have a 2020 vanleigh and would like to reseal the nose without getting on the roof, anyone got a quick step guide tips.

[tourusa]

Thanks Craig will check the roof and front seal then finally eternabond

[C_Schomer]

Eterna bond recommends a coating over it. I don't like the crappy way the mfgrs seal things... by caulking OVER edges AFTER things are screwed down. I removed all screws and cleaned under the overlaps, caulked, and then shot the screws back in. Then eternabond and roof coating over everything on the roof.
It took the first 5 months of 2019 and I did ALL the other lap joint on my 5er, windows, roof lights and fans and bottom skirting, by cleaning and caulking under every joint. I dare anything to leak! Craig

[tourusa]

Will do , if putting eterna bond on the existing strip and sealant once cleaned do I need to put lap seal over that, this is a 2020 model

[deltabravo]

MFL wrote:
To check the front cap roof top, someone has to get on the roof, and inspect very closely.

DITTO.
You can't reseal the nose cap / roof seam until you get on the roof.

[tourusa]

Hi Craig how is the eterna bond tape to install did you use lap seal over it

[C_Schomer]

I did my front and rear seams from step and extension ladders. I removed the gutter spouts and pulled back the side trim a little bit so I could find any problems and fix/seal things right. Have some eternabond tape and caulk, NOT the self-leveling, ready. I also increased the dia. and length of the screws, so they gripped better. Craig

[schlep1967]

You will need to get somebody up there to look at where the edge of that front cap meets the roof. Look at your first picture. The front cap is higher than the roof. Probably about 1/2 of an inch. That will be sealed with self leveling caulking. If something wasn't done completely correct at the factory, you may need to remove some of the old and apply new self level or eternabond tape. The roof slopes forward into that seam. The water obviously follows the slope to the "dam" created by the raised front cap.

[TXiceman]

Sorry, but to really do any good on trying to get the leak fixed, someone needs to get up on top and check the roof to cap seal as the clearance lights. Water will run downhill to the lowest point to become apparent. So, your leak can be some distance away from the indication.

Ken

[tourusa]

Clearance lights are sunken types, I was thinking the corners near the gutter to tease first

[MFL]

To check the front cap roof top, someone has to get on the roof, and inspect very closely. Most newer roofs are rounded, so even if the leak is near the driver side, it could originate from center of roof.

Another possible source, for a leak, in that area, would be the clearance lights. If water sets in the cutout for them, during hard rain, it could reach the hole the wires come through, behind the lights.

If you are not comfortable getting on the roof, I'd suggest having someone else check for you.

Jerry

[tourusa]

[tourusa]