Community Forums

GunDogJay · 08-09-2022, 02:48 PM

On both sides of my 2018 Phaeton 40IH I have these rain gutter that have a seam along the entire length of the coach. You can see how the seam (perhaps a taped seam or black caulk maybe) is cracked all the way down on both sides. My questions are:

1) Have others seen this issue and what did you do?
2) Is this seam just cosmetic in nature or is this a pathway for water to get in? In other words, Does it need to be addressed?
3) This seems like a big job to have to do for only a few years old coach? Who might do this kind of work if it even needs doing?

Thanks.

garykk · 08-09-2022, 04:35 PM

I had a problem like that. The caulking does move with the flexing from the roof etc and it WILL leak. I ended up using gorilla tape last year to seal the PS until I got home from an extended trip. It was a mess. I found several spots were the fasteners were broken off . I found those when I pulled off the tape and the fastener heads came with it along with several strips of poorly adhered paint. I ended up repairing it myself and repainted the area. There was someone on the “ other “ Tiffin site that had the same problem on the DS over the seat area. That was a couple of years ago and Tiffin paid for it.
Your second photo looks like the DS, I had to repair that side last year as well. It looks like not only the paint has cracked but the caulking has failed. On that side, I removed the caulking and caulked with a black caulking, and the touched up with touch up paint as it was a short area.

The joys of owning a motorhome

CAPT MB · 08-09-2022, 05:28 PM

I had the same issue on the driver side of my 2018 Bus though not sure it was as bad as what is in your pictures. I cleaned it off/out the area and recaulked with black caulk. Since my roofline is black there was no real need to paint it.

weighit · 08-09-2022, 09:31 PM

Have the exact same issue on my 2016 Bus, and bought some black caulking and as soon as it quits raining for a few days will cut out the failed caulking as far down as i can. I also have black as a primary color up there and if i need to will touch up paint any spots after the caulk is installed. I don't think that area is going to allow and leaks into the coach, as that rain gutter is on tome of another piece but will know more once i get up there.

rjsupersonic · 08-12-2022, 08:12 AM

I noticed some of this cracking on the driver's side as well the passenger side was done much better my guess two different workers. I will remove and use black silicon, most of mine is just the top layer of paint over the caulk that is cracked. What is the best way to remove the old caulk? 2019 RED

garykk · 08-12-2022, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjsupersonic

I noticed some of this cracking on the driver's side as well the passenger side was done much better my guess two different workers. I will remove and use black silicon, most of mine is just the top layer of paint over the caulk that is cracked. What is the best way to remove the old caulk? 2019 RED

I used a gasket scraper as I was not worried about damaging any paint in the area.