leaking slide?

[Deon-Jim]

We have a Tradewinds LTC (2003) on a Freightliner chassis. It has the large slide behind the driver's seat and it would appear that it may have some sort of a leak. After a drenching 2-3 inch rain there appeared in the middle of the carpet (center of coach, between driver and passenger seats) a very wet spot. We didn't know it was there until stepping on it with no shoes on. It basically would line up with the end of the slide but nowhere near the wall. We had a cloth tote sitting next to the couch and the wall and that did not get wet. The edges of the carpet were not wet, just the center of the floor. After looking it over, we see that the slide topper actually is not big enough on this end of the slide. It doesn't come anywhere near the edge. The one on the bedroom slide extends several inches beyond the slide itself and that is perfectly dry. The seals appear to be in not the best of shape either. When climbing up and looking at the top of the slide it had lots of water pooling on it and the top seal didn't flip over as it's supposed to. The side seals didn't flip either when we first got here but we managed to turn them by hand so they are out the way they are supposed to be. Our theory is that water is getting in at the top corner and running down and finding an opening in the middle of the floor. Does anyone have any other ideas? Are we missing something obvious!

Deon-Jim
(Currently in COLD south Texas)

[04sterling]

I assume the slide is in? I don’t think it is the slide, check the seal between the front cap and the roof, water will wick and travel and come out several feet from the point of entry as it works its way through the coach. Does the wet location appear under an a/c roof vent? Very strange the only wet spot is right in the middle of the floor.

[GaryKD]

Hi Deon-Jim,

Water leaking in the coach can present quite an adventure. I think you are going to need to try one solution at a time until you determine what fixes the problem. Based on the age of your coach, if it was me, I'd start with the roof. If all roof seams have never been resealed, that is what I'd do first. Go to RV Leak Repair Tapes & Sealants | EternaBond and take a look at this product. Consider not resealing the roof with caulk. The EternaBond product will last for a decade or more. All seams on the roof (vents, antennas, etc.) need to be sealed. If there is a HVAC unit on the roof, check to ensure the HVAC unit is snug tight against the gasket that is between it and the roof. Water dropping from the ceiling may not leave a mark until several repetitions have occurred.

As to the slide being the problem one would need to have the slide closed during a rain storm to see if the symptom changes. Because the wet spot is only in the middle of the floor, while possible, it is difficult to understand how the slide could be causing the leak. The slide entry points may not have direct access to the coach floor. It there is a direct access, a trail of wet should be noticed.

Next, I would ensure all openings that have a direct connection to the front or side coach walls be resealed. This includes everything from the clearance lights on the front of the coach to side seems of the windows, doors and any other openings.

Remember, don't to everything all at once. Try one thing at a time.

Good luck. Please continue to post here to let us know how you are doing.

[Deon-Jim]

In response, the slide was open when this happened. The first thing we did after purchasing the RV in September was recaulk all of the roof seams, marker lights, windows, etc. We are still going to eternabond the end caps but it would seem that they are not the problem. We have previously taken the satelite dish off and resealed that, recaulked around the antenna, etc. We will keep our eye on the ceiling however, because that really does make the most sense. Will keep you posted.

Deon-Jim
2003 Tradewinds, LTC

[bldrbob]

It's possible the leak is on the side of the coach and is traveling under the carpet padding It is showing up where there is a seam in the padding.I was sure ai had a leak in the slide but while checking i found loose caulking at the roofline and a crack in the window caulking.
BOB

[JVJ]

I have also found a water intrusion (leak) on our Pacifica at the slide behind the drivers seat. The times I have noticed it was with the slide in after a heavy rain. The floor in our living room is tile rather than carpet so it is visible where it comes out under the slide. What I have finally figured out is that National did not run the slide seal all the way to the bottom of the slide on the side behind the drivers seat. It is in fact about 5 inches short of reaching the bottom of the slide opening. I feel very sure that what is happening is as the water from the rain runs down the side of the coach (plus this is also about the point that the slide awning would be draining) as it reaches the end of where the seal is missing it is allowing water in run in under the seal and into the coach. I tried a little test and moved the motorhome to a different angle to where the majority of the rain would run off on the passenger side and had no water on the interior floor of the coach.
It would be very possible that you have an like short seal situation. And the water is running between the carpet padding to a low point where is starts to puddle.
I spend a lot of time looking for a ceiling leak, before I thought of looking downward for a floor leak. Common sense just told me water drips downward, not across a flat plain......WRONG.
Good luck.
Any one know where I can get some new slide seal material for a National Pacifica Coach?

[Deon-Jim]

An update on our leak. It has rained again, and again the floor is wet. This time we paid better attention and it is definitely coming in at the bottom of the slide behind the driver's seat. The carpet is wet there and it seems as though it seeps in for a long time AFTER it rains. The slide is extended at this time but we are seriously thinking about pulling it in again before the next heavy rain. We aren't sure if it comes in at the top corner, the bottom corner, or both. We did fix up a temporary cover over the too short slide topper which maybe has helped a little, but it is still getting wet. If you stick your finger in at the bottom behind the too short seal, it is wet behind it. We have tried adding caulk but it is still wet. We hate to even think about replacing the slide seal, gasket, or whatever it is called. This is a 14 foot slide and it seems as though it would be a very BIG job.

[JVJ]

I think you should go ahead and replace the slide seal ASAP, like tomorrow if not sooner. You should also go ahead and purchase three times the actual length of rubber seal that what you need.
Then if you would be so kind as to take photos of how to do it along with a well written set of directions and forward all this information and the extra rubber seal to me, I would appreciate it.
Just kiddin of course, but if you do undertake the task, please let us know how it goes.