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Old 08-11-2022, 09:13 PM   #1
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Model: Freedom Elite 30FE
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THOR #19723
Class C Storage Compartment fills with water after rain

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I have a Freedom Elite 30 FE and the storage compartment to the left of my door which hinges at the bottom is always full of water after a heavy rain. I keep both latches closed/Locked and I recently replaced the weather stripping and it still leaks. Any thoughts on how to diagnose this or resolve it? Should I just recaulk the outside where the door frame meets the RV? Other thoughts?

Thanks,
Larry

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Old 08-11-2022, 09:23 PM   #2
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First thing you need to do is figure out where exactly the water is coming from. It could be migrating from somewhere else.

Is there a reason the hatch open from the top? Seems very odd, but I've only owned a handful of RV's...
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Old 08-11-2022, 09:46 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by widdershins View Post
First thing you need to do is figured out where exactly the water is coming from. It could be migrating from somewhere else.

Is there a reason the hatch open from the top? Seems very odd, but I've only owned a handful of RV's...
My old Jayco opened that way in 2019
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Old 08-11-2022, 10:53 PM   #4
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Go out after dark and use the old flashlight trick. Make sure the rubber gasket isn't kinked and there's no gap at the top. I'm assuming this is with the rig just sitting still? Not driving in the rain?
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Old 08-12-2022, 01:53 AM   #5
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I love this idea but I couldn't see any light anywhere and yes while the Rig is sitting still..

Thanks
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Old 08-12-2022, 01:55 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by widdershins View Post
First thing you need to do is figure out where exactly the water is coming from. It could be migrating from somewhere else.

Is there a reason the hatch open from the top? Seems very odd, but I've only owned a handful of RV's...
There is a slide above the storage compartment so it has to open down..
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Old 08-12-2022, 02:22 AM   #7
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Get it air dry. Get a water hose. Take your time and wash your roof, have someone look for leak every 5 -7 min. They need to check for the 1st entry point. This can rule out a possible leak on the roof that you don't know about. My money says that is the source, a vent pipe, vent fan AC etc.

Assuming it pass, I doubt but if it does, then take hose and run water around the the seals on the door. Check every 30 secs to see if you can get it wet.

My Propane door has hinges on down side to.

Good luck
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Old 08-12-2022, 10:21 AM   #8
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There is a slide above the storage compartment so it has to open down..

Which slide is it under and does it matter if the slide is in or out when it gets wet?
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Old 08-12-2022, 01:20 PM   #9
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Jim,
Its only partially under the slide maybe 3 inches of overlap. The Vent for the Fridge is above it as well as the left side of the awning. I will open the Fridge vent today just not sure what I am looking for... Any thoughts? It is the slide that has the bunks and cabinet in the "Bedroom"
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Old 08-13-2022, 11:11 AM   #10
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I found that the cargo door on mine was not quite snug with the side of the coach and water was getting in around the frame where the door mates with the coach. Run some water slowly from a hose just above the door and see if water gets in.

The molded cargo bay is flanged and attaches to the inside wall of the coach. Between the flange and the wall is a high destiny foam gasket. Then the door is installed from the outside. Water runs over the outside door and seeps through the gasket. I ended up using some GeoCel ProFlex and sealed all around the door on the outside. I could have removed the door and used some butyl tape but was lazy.
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Old 08-13-2022, 04:43 PM   #11
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Common issue...there is a plug in the floor of the compartments...imagine that! Just remove the plug and keep sensitive to water items off the floor. You can cut up milk/bread crates and line the floor of the compartments with those panels...they are thin. I fought it for a year then caved. They all leak...at least that's my experience.
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Old 08-13-2022, 11:22 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton View Post
Common issue...there is a plug in the floor of the compartments...imagine that! Just remove the plug and keep sensitive to water items off the floor. You can cut up milk/bread crates and line the floor of the compartments with those panels...they are thin. I fought it for a year then caved. They all leak...at least that's my experience.
I did my sani flush the other day, or what ever it's called and after a few seconds I had water running out of the drain hole. I crawled under and it was coming from the drain. I went to Menards and picked up a stainless steel line and replaced the 60 inch line with a 24 inch line. I noticed my outside shower lines are 60 inches I'm going to replace them with 24 inch, why do they waste all that extra hose for nothing. I unscrewed my panel to tighten the nut and found 1 1/4 inch self tappers, it only needed 1/2 inch screws
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Old 08-17-2022, 06:17 PM   #13
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I have a Class C Thor Chateau with several storage compartments and they all leak. I have found they leak more while driving down the road in the rain. In my research the problem wasn't the seal around the door but the gap between the storage compartment and where it attaches to the motorhome. I used expanding foam around the perimeter of the compartment where it attached to the motorhome and the leaking stopped. My problem was solved and my compartments now stay dry.
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Old 08-17-2022, 06:22 PM   #14
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I have a Class C Thor Chateau with several storage compartments and they all leak. I have found they leak more while driving down the road in the rain. In my research the problem wasn't the seal around the door but the gap between the storage compartment and where it attaches to the motorhome. I used expanding foam around the perimeter of the compartment where it attached to the motorhome and the leaking stopped. My problem was solved and my compartments now stay dry.
Yup! It doesn't have to be the door...
Expand your search, and good luck!
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Old 08-17-2022, 07:32 PM   #15
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I have a freedom elite 24fe, and one of my small bays opens down, and if I don't lock it it will leak. So I would assume it has something to do with the gaskets and door not closing tight enough.
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Old 08-17-2022, 09:29 PM   #16
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All
I have a Freedom Elite 30 FE and the storage compartment to the left of my door which hinges at the bottom is always full of water after a heavy rain

Might be a silly question, but is the top trim that meets the side of the RV sealed properly?I had three compartments that they installed the doors on but failed to use silicone sealant on the trim around it, so water always got in. I smear of sealant fixed it after three times replacing the rubber seal around the door..
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Old 08-18-2022, 06:25 AM   #17
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I have the same model and had a similar experience with the storage bin in the back slide. Besides making your all the latches locked and replacing the weather stripping I noticed when latching it didn’t bring the door completely flush to for a seal. Had to adjust the locks and then added another piece of weather stripping just below the lip and that fixed the problem.
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Old 08-18-2022, 11:41 AM   #18
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I have the same model and had a similar experience with the storage bin in the back slide. Besides making your all the latches locked and replacing the weather stripping I noticed when latching it didn’t bring the door completely flush to for a seal. Had to adjust the locks and then added another piece of weather stripping just below the lip and that fixed the problem.
On mine one some of the arms on the locks need to be bent in our out a little so the door latches tight, I never have leaks after adjustment of the locks
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