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Topic: Dripping sound upper rear of coach. (Read 482 times) previous topic - next topic

Dripping sound upper rear of coach.

I'm perplexed by this slow "drip" sound in the rear of the coach. Its at the back of the bed and sounds like in or behind the rear cabinets, maybe a little toward the passenger side. 

A/C units are not running, its been bone dry for several days (although we lived through a period of heavy rains a few weeks ago), not evidence of water or liquid on the ground, in the ceiling, interior walls, or compartments.  There is no water in the roof and nothing dripping into the engine compartment.  I have heard it for several mornings now, typically as the sun hits the rear and passenger side of the coach.  I've heard creaks and drip sounds it in the past, but not with the length and steadiness of this.  I seems to stop a few minutes off and on and then resume.

If it were a water breach, I would expect to hear it before and after  rain.  Not the case here.  It occurred to me it could just be the fiberglass expanding as the coach heats up in the sun.  This is our first really hot whether in direct sun.

I'm thinking to remove the wood panel in the back of the rear cabinets to see if I can find something, but maybe its just normal with these coaches and I'm a little paranoid.

Any ideas what I might be? 
 

Re: Dripping sound upper rear of coach.

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Joe Phebus –
It occurred to me it could just be the fiberglass expanding as the coach heats up in the sun.  This is our first really hot weather in direct sun.
My totally unqualified sideline observer opinion: I'll second your guess about expanding fiberglass.

Based on your description of recent conditions, hard to believe there is any water available to "drip".  Air conditioner condensate runoff would be the most likely suspect, but you ruled that out.  Fairly certain there isn't any water system plumbing in that area.  A heavy "dew" can make the roof very wet, but you would see some evidence of that dripping on the ground around the coach.

Re: Dripping sound upper rear of coach.

Reply #2 –
Thanks, Chuck. 

We recently had the roof painted at Xtreme in March.  Followed that by mounting Solar panels.  It occurred to me last night that maybe its an interaction between new paint and slight expansion of the roof in the heat.

I'm hearing it again now so I'm going to crawl up on the roof and see if the sound is audible outside. 

Maybe make a call to Xtreme to see if they have any thoughts.

 

Re: Dripping sound upper rear of coach.

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Joe Phebus –
I'm hearing it again now so I'm going to crawl up on the roof and see if the sound is audible outside. 
I have a Craftsman mechanics stethoscope similar to one below.  Bought it decades ago at Sears.  Has come in handy on numerous occasions over the years.  Might be helpful in your quest for the elusive noise?

Amazon.com: OTC 4491 Mechanics Stethoscope: Automotive

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
 

Re: Dripping sound upper rear of coach.

Reply #4 –
Thanks, Chuck.  Seems like a useful tool for the "arsenal".  :) 

The roof is fairly cool, but the solar panels are wicked hot.  Hearing a similar sound mid-coach now.  So my new working theory is its thermal expansion of the solar panels that's the root cause.  They are mounted with VHB Tape with some pretty solid AM Solar mounts we've used in the past, but a different roof type.

I don't expect any issues, but am going to keep a watchful eye on the mounts to make sure all stays secure.