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Topic: Entry Leak - New Owner/Older Coach (Read 886 times) previous topic - next topic

Entry Leak - New Owner/Older Coach

I recently purchased a used U295 in what appears to be fantastic condition. Unfortunately, I did find one small problem recently after a heavy rain. We found the bottom step was puddled and full of water. After removing the vinyl step cover we found a great deal of water damage and rot and we've begun to start repairs to all of the affected area. Now, for locating the leak. We can't seem to figure out where it's coming from. :-\

There are no other signs of water intrusion that I can find. Has anyone faced this before that I might learn from their experience? A search of the forums did not turn up any similar issues thought wording can sometimes through off searches.
Thank you again for any help you point me toward and I can't wait for the first outing!

Mark
Mark Bivings and sometimes my mom - Linda Metze
2001 U295 with Slide Out
2009 Ford Flex toad
2004 Featherlight Trailer with 89 325 BMW Race car

Re: Entry Leak - New Owner/Older Coach

Reply #1 –
Hmmm...with no other signs of water intrusion visible (as in from above), you might start looking for windshield leak issues.  Then again, maybe even the weather stripping for the front door may be an issue.  You might also look from under the coach to check out the condition of the underside of this area of the coach.

ps.  Ensure the coach tires are properly blocked and the air suspension is also blocked with strong blocks e.g.  steel tubing cut to 11" long at each corner of the coach air bag area.  Search this site for other topics that will cover this in more detail.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Entry Leak - New Owner/Older Coach

Reply #2 –
Mark,

Welcome to the forum.

Here is a link to a previous post you may find helpful:

Rotten Entry Step

If you use the search function on the top right of the screen set at "All Boards" you will find more entries.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Entry Leak - New Owner/Older Coach

Reply #3 –
The most likely place for this leak is the top of the door, call Foretravel parts and ask  about the door gutter that goes above the door just under the light.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: Entry Leak - New Owner/Older Coach

Reply #4 –
I would certainly second looking very closely at the gutter above the door.  That may just be the culprit.
Best of Travels

Re: Entry Leak - New Owner/Older Coach

Reply #5 –
Door hinge on our coach has been a pathway for water down to the step. We added additional weather-stripping at top of door and all the way down the hinge.

We recently extended the gutter behind the main curbside awning with a piece of thin aluminum and silicone. Now roof water exits the gutter away from the awning and door hinge.

On all four corners, our gutters have outward extensions that drop the water to the ground away from the fiberglass.

Also water is known to get to the bottom step from screws that penetrate the front cap, like awning & mirror brackets.

Over the years Foretravel has used different door manufacturers with different door sealing configurations.

Re: Entry Leak - New Owner/Older Coach

Reply #6 –
Great guys! Thanks for the heads up on which seals and gutters to check. ^.^d
Mark Bivings and sometimes my mom - Linda Metze
2001 U295 with Slide Out
2009 Ford Flex toad
2004 Featherlight Trailer with 89 325 BMW Race car

Re: Entry Leak - New Owner/Older Coach

Reply #7 –
I spent several years and many visits to various Foretravel service facilities try to locate the same type of leak that eventually rotted out the entry step plywood construction.. I found the problem by laying a garden hose on the roof above the entry door but slightly back on the roof.When i could see the water on the first step i started at the step and worked my way up the by removing the padded trim inside the coach up the corner post until i got to the top of the corner post between the entry door and and windshield.. The leak was coming in under the moulding that covers the seam between the front cap and the roof and traveling down the corner post I removed the entire moulding strip and resealed the entire length and replaced the moulding , have not had a problem since Foretravel Texas replaced the plywood structure under the steps and all is well since. I had previously gone thru all the mentioned fixes gutter extensions, weather stripping ,hinge sealing ect. Hope this helps.

Tom Andrews
2001 320 36ft
Pittsfield Massachusetts
Tom Andrews
2001 U320 36 ft.
2002 Explorer
Pittsfield Massachusetts

Re: Entry Leak - New Owner/Older Coach

Reply #8 –
I had to replace first step in my U-270 (99), and my current coach. This time I used "starboard" as used in boats rather than treated plydood
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Entry Leak - New Owner/Older Coach

Reply #9 –
The first step in the coach should be considered "wet".  When you rebuild the step you should waterproof it as you can see several of us have done (see archives).
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R
 

Re: Entry Leak - New Owner/Older Coach

Reply #10 –
RE: The first step in the coach should be considered "wet". When you rebuild the step you should waterproof it as you can see several of us have done (see archives).

We purchased a $10 water alarm from Harbor Freight and put the small simple sensor on the bottom step near the hinge and the cigarette-pack size alarm behind circuit breaker door to get it out of the way. We will hopefully now be aware if & when our bottom step gets wet.