Roof leak

pstandiford · 08-16-2018, 04:57 PM

Just bought a new Thor Chateau SF35. Have not really used it except to drive it home. Got in this morning, started the engine and started to pull out of the storage lot and had water running out of the headliner by the drivers side window and out of the headliner about the camera display (where the rear view mirror would normally be.) Got a call into the dealer and waiting for a call back. I'm attaching a video (one of several we took) that shows the water running out. Could not believe how much was (is) in there.
UPDATE: Dealer gave me the Thor number.

Bob Denman · 08-16-2018, 05:02 PM

That sure isn't anything that you want to see on a new vehicle!

I'd take it right back to the dealer, and see about having them replace the rig for you.
Good luck; please let us know what happens next!

pstandiford · 08-16-2018, 05:05 PM

Can't get a new one. They are not producing Super C at the present time. Dealer is 400 miles away.

Long & Winding road · 08-16-2018, 05:46 PM

Surely they can reseal the window for you. Could also be where the Bunk meets the cab so both need to be checked out.

Let us know how it turns out.

The Gritz Carlton · 08-16-2018, 05:47 PM

WOW...what a heart-breaker!! Makes me want to just leave mine under the carport forever. I'd sure like to hear the end result of this to see where the water is getting in. It can only be the marker lights or the seam where the front cap meets the body as the front cap is one piece. Have you been up there and checked the top area to see if maybe there is damage from it hitting something before you bought it...like a crack or something?

The Gritz Carlton · 08-16-2018, 05:49 PM

Didn't think to ask...does your's have the bunk over head or the 50" TV entertainment option? The bunk models have side windows on the front cap...that could be another area of compromise. Mine has the TV with no windows.

Bob Denman · 08-16-2018, 06:08 PM

Are there any other Dealers (or RV Service Centers) nearby that you could take it to?

**16ACE27** · 08-16-2018, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

the seam where the front cap meets the body as the front cap is one piece. Have you been up there and checked the top area to see if maybe there is damage from it hitting something before you bought it...like a crack or something?

I suspect the Gritz hit it on the nose with that much water. Check the dicor sealant at this seam; mine cracked and I had the same effect after a rainstorm - not as much as you, but the crack allows the standing water on the roof to flow in.

pstandiford · 08-16-2018, 07:17 PM

I have not been on the roof. Knee problems. It does have the side window which could be a possibility but all the water was center and drivers side. The window is on the passenger side. I took it to a Thor dealer close to us. They are going to look at it tomorrow. The video was very helpful in getting their attention. Of course they have to get Thor to agree to let them diagnose and then Thor will have to approve the work. I have not used this place before but my gut has a good feeling. I’ll keep you informed.

Bob Denman · 08-16-2018, 07:30 PM

Good luck!

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1534447804

The Gritz Carlton · 08-16-2018, 09:05 PM

Most leaks in the overhead end up right where yours was and to the left driver pilar. Could be the side windows. Let us know.

pstandiford · 08-16-2018, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

Most leaks in the overhead end up right where yours was and to the left driver pilar. Could be the side windows. Let us know.

Only one side window on passenger side. No water on that side so I suspect it is not the window but that is something I had not thought about until you mentioned it. That’s the great thing about this forum. Hundreds of experienced RVers thinking about the issue.
The dealership that has the unit called about 1/2 hour ago and said it is at their body shop (inside to prevent further water infiltration. They will conduct a leak test tomorrow. They have already sent the video to Thor.

The Gritz Carlton · 08-16-2018, 09:25 PM

I've read several posts on different forums about the C leaks. For some reason all the water always seems to make it to the left side of the unit...who knows why? One guy got so tired of it he drilled two holes on the bottom side of the cab over. I'm sure they will find it!!

Judge · 08-17-2018, 10:54 AM

So I am brand new to the forum about to be brand new to a new 2018 Thor Outlaw 29H.

I pick it up tomorrow and have been doing a ton of research on what to look for during my PDI.

I have just about made myself sick finding out about all of the issues people have with an $80K plus investment. Now I'm going through buyers remorse a little and don't even own it yet.

I've now got a laundry list of things to check and think I could be easily spend 3 or 4 hours going over it before giving them the check.

Water leaks are a big one and I found this video of an Outlaw Class C with a cab over water leak. The guy posted other videos where they replaced a window and rebuilt the wood in the cab over area but the leak continued. He posted this video showing what he found.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcyA5aNLANE

By the time he found it the warranty was over but apparently he documented the problem it well enough with the dealer and Thor is supposed to fix it out of warranty.

I'm good at fixing things and don't mind minor to moderate issues but I prefer not to have to deal with major stuff.... especially water leaks.

What surprised me is that I read another post on here that said Thor only gives you 90 Days for dealing with "sealants, trim and adjustments." People say most dealers don't mention it but if you call Thor Customer Service that is what they tell you.

I'd call the dealer and Thor and get it documented at both places now since the 90-day clock is ticking for you.

Bob Denman · 08-17-2018, 12:15 PM

Wow! It was easy to see where the leak is (or was...)!

And Welcome to the forum!

The Gritz Carlton · 08-17-2018, 12:25 PM

Roof inspections on a regular basis are as important as bathing regularly. A lot of C's now have one piece caps which reduce the possibility of water issues. $80K investment is a lot of money...in this case, the OP's MH is in the $198K (MSRP) category. Nothing is exempt. Don't fret...there's nothing that can't be resolved. Buy the Outlaw...join the fun...we'll help you get through it! The roof seams in that video look like someone had already been adding additional caulking...over bad caulking.

Bob Denman · 08-17-2018, 12:26 PM

I'm glad that my rig sits right underneath my Office Window: I can give it a good "once-over", as often as I look out the window!

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1534509046

JamieGeek · 08-17-2018, 12:28 PM

Judge: Welcome to the forum.

The good thing about what you're learning is that you know what to look for and can solve (or have the dealer solve) many of these issues before they become a long term problem (like that video).

Hopefully you won't find many; good luck.

**fhenn** · 08-17-2018, 12:56 PM

I have on the last two units have placed enterbond tape over all seams as soon as I brought it home cheap insurance never moved in over 40K worth of travel

The Gritz Carlton · 08-17-2018, 01:02 PM

I read a while back where someone did the same thing right out of the chute. Maybe we should do a body wrap with this stuff!!

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