i'm a newbie, need advice on repairs!

[Blake Forrest]

We are brand new to RVing and have purchased a 1994 Bounder with some "issues". (We all have them right?) We didn't really have a budget for this, but we LOVE it, so are trying to make due, and DIY. I'm pretty handy, I just need to know what to do.
First- Our BB (beautiful bounder), smells like pee sometimes, even when the tanks are all empty. hmmm. Also, the roof is starting to leak in places, front right corner, around the vents, even around some of the light fixtures. Is this a simple matter of caulking or something more serious? Then the biggie. The shower "skylight" has a big leak and has discolored the ceiling. HOw do you fix that leak and is there a way to get rid of the dark stains on the ceiling? I would be grateful for any help I can get on this. Be gentle, I am learning.

Mom to 3 RV loving kiddos!

[Blake Forrest]

We are brand new to RVing and have purchased a 1994 Bounder with some "issues". (We all have them right?) We didn't really have a budget for this, but we LOVE it, so are trying to make due, and DIY. I'm pretty handy, I just need to know what to do.
First- Our BB (beautiful bounder), smells like pee sometimes, even when the tanks are all empty. hmmm. Also, the roof is starting to leak in places, front right corner, around the vents, even around some of the light fixtures. Is this a simple matter of caulking or something more serious? Then the biggie. The shower "skylight" has a big leak and has discolored the ceiling. HOw do you fix that leak and is there a way to get rid of the dark stains on the ceiling? I would be grateful for any help I can get on this. Be gentle, I am learning.

Mom to 3 RV loving kiddos!

[TandW]

Try "OUT" pet stain remover on ceiling stains. You also may want to spray it on vertical surfaces a male dog may have been "spraying".

[Toby]

Blake

Welcomb to IRV2. Before you do any interior work you will need to get the roof fixed. Generally not a easy thing to do. Finding where the leak is located is sometimes hard to do. Make sure if you do it to use a good sealer and get all the old gunk off before you start. Go to Camping world and get their stuff for roofs. What kind of roof do you have?The stuff out of a gun may not hold.

The stains in the roof is probably from the roof leaking. Its very important that you get this dried out ASAP, or the smell will get worse. The front windshield may need a new seal/gasket. Not for amatures to fix. Call a car window guy to replace the seal. s/Toby

[full-timer]

You might try using Eternabond Tape instead of caulking. It is suppose to do a better job on the roof.

Joe

[MonacoMama]

Blake Forrest...
Welcome to iRV2! You will soon find out that everyone here is quite friendly and willing to help as much as they can!
I would first like to invite you to introduce yourself at the New Member Check-In where you may be properly greeted! . Second of all... I would like to suggest that you consider joining the "Fleetwood Owners Forum" (just ask for Karma) where there may be some folks who have Bounders and can explain some of the tricks they have learned also!

We did have a few of the same issues...the stains on the ceiling..we did try one of those bleach sticks.. it helped... but was a pain to do...
Good Luck and again...welcome to iRV2 and hopefully the Fleetwood forum!


MM

[deandec]

The roof leak(s) could be from one location. Water can travel through the raceways of your ceiling until it finds a downward outlet (vents, light fixtures etc.)

If you are sure your skylight leaks, repair it first. Renewing the caulking might be a first step or use the eternabond tape for a quicker fix. Once that leak is stopped, see if other leaks still exist.

Clearance lights and roof vents are usually prime suspects. Remove all, recaulk and reinstall.

We cleaned our fabric ceiling spots with a floor shampoo machine wand and carpet shampoo with some oxyclean mixed in. Very time consuming but worked.

Resolve carpet cleaner may help with the urine odor if you can locate the source.


Good luck

[Max Hubrich]

Blake,

My neighbor in Maine last summer had an '06 Winnebago, Adventurer, and his sky light in the shower, was leaking. He took it off and he found the factory missed one corner of sealant. He cleaned and scraped the old putty off and resealed it with Dicor, self leveling lap sealant-- www.dicor.com . Everything okay after that.

My five amber running lights on the front cap were leaking, when I bought my rig two years ago, and I had to re-seal them. They are okay now.

Glad your on board with us, please post often, and good luck with this new adventure you've embarked upon,

[jenks60]

Buy 2 rolls of ETERNABOND TAPEand use in place of caulk, you will never have to caulk again! It will even repair a crack in the skylight if there is one.

[george henry]

Blake Forrest, Welcome to iRv2.com

[Rig Mullin]

Welcome to the world of rving. The caulking on the roof needs to be renewed every few years or so especially if used primarily in hot dry climates. Remove as much of the old caulk as possible and then use Dicor self leveling caulk. It can even be used over old caulk, particarly where the old caulk looks cracked. Have used it often as has my rv dealer.
Rig