FYI - Rain Water leak

[Doggy Daddy]

A short time back after a week of rain while backing my 08 Outlaw from the drive way onto the street I got water flowing above the windshield and onto the dash. I thought it was the seal in the windshield or the seam cap above the clearance lights. After taking it to the dealer, it turned out to be water entering thru the clearance lights and getting trapped in the front cap. With the twist of the coach on the driveway entrance, water released. The dealer said he had other coaches in the past with this problem.
To prevent this from happening again, he replaced all my clearance lights and used silicone to seal the holes and also covered the heads of the screws to keep water out. No charge.

[Cowboy88]

Thanks, Doggy Daddy, I'll have to keep that one in mind.

[TONY R.]

Had basically same problem. Mine turned out to be cracked covers. New covers plus the silicone solved the problem. Also, had another water leak. This one was showing water on the floor in the hallway when it rained & the bedroom slide was out. After taking it in for the 3rd time, the dealer finally found the leak. The "inside" gasket on the slide had come loose & some silicone had worked its way out. This is a tough leak to find. Hope this info is useful.

[Ray,IN]

My solution to this leak source is to drill a 1/8" hole in the bottom of each lens cover. I tried to seal the wiring access hole to prevent water intrusion, but had little success. What happened was; water leaked into the lens, got trapped enough to fill the lens to the level of the wiring access hole, then flowed into the RV. I haven't had a water issue since.
When you remove a lens you'll see if this is your problem, there will be a water mark at the bulb level.

[soonerdave]

I agree with Ray, IN. I usually drill 2 holes, one on each side in case the coach isn't level. The only thing I would suggest different is not to use silicone sealer. Get a tube of the goop they use to patch rubber roofs. The silicone will leak after a while, the rubber roof stuff stays flexible and will move without leaking. I have drilled the holes and used the roof goop on several coaches including my own and have never had a leak afterwards. Don't forget to do the other lights around your coach or you will eventually end up with water in walls and other places.
Happy RVing!

[Cowboy88]

The lights on my rig are recessed - Are yours? I don't know how viable the drilling of holes would be to me.

[Doggy Daddy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowboy88 The lights on my rig are recessed - Are yours? I don't know how viable the drilling of holes would be to me.

On my 08 Outlaw all my clearance lights are recessed. I hate and prefer not to drill holes in the lens covers as it lets in outside moisture, insects and dust but allows trapped water to drain.