Chateau rear slide out water intrusion

[Mattandjulie]

Have a 2019 Thor Chateau 24’ with rear bed slide out and water is coming in from the bottom of the slide table under the mattress. Only happens when it’s closed and raining of course. It’s not a lot, but seeing drops on the left side onto the floor at the inside corner. We are traveling so no ladder access for a few more days. Other than a void on the top seal, where else could it come from?

 

[RVwife]

We had an almost identical problem with our 2018 Axis 25.3. With heavy rain, a small quantity of water appeared to travel down the slide rail and a small puddle would develop on the floor near the corner of the bed.

It was still under warrenty and we had it in the shop several times, but each time we had a heavy rain, the isuue reoccured. Although it was never resolved during the warenty period, Thor eventually refused to pay for further work to find the source of the problem.

So, we took it home and kept trying to find the source of the leak. We'd spray different areas of the slide with a hose (both when it was in and when it was out). Eventually we found that there must be a leak at on of the bottom right corner of the trim in the slide. (water ran down left slide rail, so not totally intuitive) We never saw any type of loose caulk or a gap. It must have been a small area. Recaulked the bottom edge where the trim meets the slide wall and no more problem. It's been fine now for 4+ years.

 

[Jimbo56]

Open the slide and inspect the D seal running horizontally across the top inside of the slide. Does it extend all the way to the corner? If not adjust it. Mine must’ve moved with wind at some point.

 

[Ed FV racer]

I started to notice a similar issue on my 2018-19 25.6 and realized it first time when I got home from a trip and had the rear slide out during rain. I asked other friends about it and they said to get the seal treatment which I did. When I extended the slide out and got up on a ladder and I noticed the seal was not resting against the top of the extended slide and figured that was my problem. so, I generously sprayed the conditioner on all of the seals. Well, it didn't stop. So, I keep looking and realized that I had a gap all along the trim piece that is at the bottom of the slide main surface.

Well after just looking around I realized that rain was getting in there and that it was then inside the unit and would run across the bottom of the slide and drain out on the floor. It happened wither the slide was open or not. So, I put clear silicone sealer all the way around and solved the problem.

So, if a gap has opened there, I would suggest checking it out and sealing it up.

Ed

 

[Bonzen]

I think I had this issue during heavy rain a few weeks ago, if you guys have any pics of the exact areas, or your re-seal silicone jobs id be interested to see them.

 

[Ed FV racer]

I don't have a picture of exactly where, but my slide is out the back and there is a trim piece all around the slide and it developed a crack or opening across the bottom of 1/8" or more. That allowed any rain hitting the slide to then enter the slide and it's only place to go is across the bottom of the slide and drip out inside the unit. So I used clear caulk and sealed the bottom and sides and it seems to have solved the problem.

Ed

 

[Mattandjulie]

Rear slide leak

I think I had this issue during heavy rain a few weeks ago, if you guys have any pics of the exact areas, or your re-seal silicone jobs id be interested to see them.

It seems the trim piece on top that is connected to the D water seal is unclipped from the side trim, so when the slide contacts the coach body, it gives way enough to not make a seal. I tried glueing the top trim corner to the side trim, but the pressure coming into contact with the coach pops it right back out. I ended up, for now, putting shims between the top roller cover arm and the trim. Working so far.

 

[Bonzen]

When you say trim, you mean this? There definitely is a gap from the trim coming off, looks like it should be re-siliconed. This is at the bottom of the slideout.


I'll have to get up on top and check it out, see if I can see what you are talking about.