Caulking

[BobandMary]

We just took delivery of our first Mobile Suites; a 2019 38KSSB. It is very distressing to hear that the caulking is not holding up for any length of time. I guess I need to look closely at ours when this rain quits as it set on the dealers lot for 3 months. Is there a reason not to apply sealant over the existing sealant where it appears to be thin?



We had a 2017 Redwood before this one and they used Geocell also. We didn't have any apparent issues with the caulking but it was stored inside when we wern't using it.

[rynosback]

Check where slide seals on the sides. At the bottom were the L bracket is at the bottom of the slide. They sometimes applied the caulk short of the seal. Also the other side of that L bracket underneath the slide. Also where the slide floor meets the outer wall underneath.

Congratulations on your New Suite and welcome to the forum. What model did you get? Why did you sell/trade your 2017 Redwood?

[BobandMary]

A 2019 38KSSB. Our Redwood was a problem child from day one. We special ordered it and it came in with tons of issues that needed to be addressed. Our dealer fixed those to our satisfaction but new ones kept cropping up. It wouldn't have been a big deal if they were minor issues. But several were major issues with extensive work required to fix them. We eventually decided to cut our losses and trade up and also get a floor plan that we were happier with.

[wingnut60]

Now is the right time to go over every seam closely--check every place caulking is used. Also the roof carefully.
Several new owners have had slide floors rot out way before they should--take time to understand how/where the slides are put together and where the leaks start. Can't candy-coat this--Thor/DRV is sliding lower in construction integrity.
Lots of good info on this forum, also DRV Owners Group on Facebook has lots of recent postings on new units. Another less active forum is SOITC and then the older 5thwheelforums.com
Hope your new one is a good one.
Joe

[rynosback]

Originally Posted by wingnut60

Now is the right time to go over every seam closely--check every place caulking is used. Also the roof carefully.
Several new owners have had slide floors rot out way before they should--take time to understand how/where the slides are put together and where the leaks start. Can't candy-coat this--Thor/DRV is sliding lower in construction integrity.
Lots of good info on this forum, also DRV Owners Group on Facebook has lots of recent postings on new units. Another less active forum is SOITC and then the older 5thwheelforums.com
Hope your new one is a good one.
Joe

Joe, FB has closed threads and do not like people that post many problems. I do not have a FB account as the forums that I am on are my FB. But my wife keeps me abreast to what is going on with FB. I personally see nothing wrong with that as long as you keep posts factual. As hundreds of brains are better then one to try and solves problems. Or even take and issue and figure out how to design it better.

[Walker]

Originally Posted by rynosback

Joe, FB has closed threads

I requested my Rotten floor issue be locked before it descended into further chaos. But it got buried quickly.

[rynosback]

Originally Posted by Walker

I requested my Rotten floor issue be locked before it descended into further chaos. But it got buried quickly.

The people who run the group on FB have stated that they are tiered of some people that just complain, post about there problems. It sure what you mean by chaos. We are all adults and should be able to talk about problems with out flaming anyone. For those that have been on the net for a while. You will always come across a “keyboard warrior “.

[BobandMary]

It's a shame that construction quality isn't a higher priority. But the same thing happened to Redwood when Thor bought them and put them under the Keystone umbrella.
I looked over the slides this afternoon and I found several places where the sealant has gaps or cracks on the L's around the bottom edges of the slides and a few other places also. I have some Pro-Flex RV by Geocell that I will use to seal those.
I will check the top of the slides one afternoon this week after I get home.
Thanks for the pointers! I have quite a bit to learn about the Suites.

[Cummins12V98]

Repeat after me. "I AM MY OWN WARRANTY STATION"

[f350ms38rssa]

I agree!

[wingnut60]

BobandMary,
According to some recent posts about DRV and caulk--it is the Geocel that is NOT holding up...might keep that in mind.

[BobandMary]

I understand. What are you all using? Something sealing a crack is better than nothing and with winter here I need to get it sealed up. I used the Pro-Flex RV on our Redwood and didn't have any issues with it or the seams that I sealed other than it can be challenging to work with.

[wingnut60]

I have been going around my unit with GE silicone for bath/kitchen--no where to find anything better where we have been. Yeah, surely anything is better than a missing seal, perhaps the Geocel Pro is a better stuff than DRV is using.

[anijet]

I have two tubes of Lexel. I hope the sun comes out tomorrow and I can let you know how it is to apply. Some say it's hard to work with compared to Geocel.

[rynosback]

Originally Posted by anijet

I have two tubes of Lexel. I hope the sun comes out tomorrow and I can let you know how it is to apply. Some say it's hard to work with compared to Geocel.

It is way harder. I layered up Geocell for years. Now it will be time to strip it all down. I found some cracking tonight and just smacked some Lexel on it. I bought and use the little 5oz tubes as you can apply a small bead with it as the tip is smaller. Best of luck

[Walker]

Originally Posted by anijet

I have two tubes of Lexel. I hope the sun comes out tomorrow and I can let you know how it is to apply. Some say it's hard to work with compared to Geocel.

Warm but SHADE is the best to use/worl]k Lexel in.

[Walker]

Originally Posted by Cummins12V98

Repeat after me. "I AM MY OWN WARRANTY STATION"

I left the marine industry after 25 years because I got tired of doing my own warranty work.... Or actually the last 9 years of custom yachts I oversaw the construction of we never had an owner return for warranty work. None...NAdA... Our last warranty expires Jan 2, 2019. Full material and craftsmanship 5 years. If it broke we replaced it or did the repair on our dollar. From water pumps, tanks, Tecma toilets, Volvo engines, Garmin electronics, 3M sealants, Valspar or Cooks Composites Gelcoats, custom woodwork, custom wire harness, custom upholstery with Ultra Leather, etc.
The best part was our boats never LEAKED.... hull joints, portholes, deck hatches, hull penetrations, shaft logs, etc.....
As of today, Dec 10, 2017, we have over $24000 in repair bills to our 2017 Memphis. Either insurance or warranty covered about $14000 of that. So we are 10k in the hole on a $124k unit in 17 months of ownership.... So its cost us about 700 a month in repairs.

[wingnut60]

Walker,
That is a lot to endure--hope you have it all behind you.

[Fulltimer50]

Originally Posted by wingnut60

I have been going around my unit with GE silicone for bath/kitchen--no where to find anything better where we have been. Yeah, surely anything is better than a missing seal, perhaps the Geocel Pro is a better stuff than DRV is using.

I got mine at Lowes.

[Cummins12V98]

Originally Posted by anijet

I have two tubes of Lexel. I hope the sun comes out tomorrow and I can let you know how it is to apply. Some say it's hard to work with compared to Geocel.

Professional advice. Warm the tube it HOT water, apply a nice tight bead, spray over caulked joint with windex. Now wipe off excess with your finger. Step back and admire how nice it looks!!!