Storage bay gasket sourcing?

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Storage bay gasket sourcing?

May 13, 2013, 11:18:53 am

We need to replace some tired gaskets on the bays our '03. We'll probably do all 8 side bays at the same time. At about 150 linear inches/bay, that's 100 feet of gasket.

Did a quick search of the board, I saw where Barry B. had gotten his from FOT.

Does anyone have a P/N for the gasket material so we can price-compare? There are a couple of options that look possible ($2.25-$3.50 per linear foot) at McMaster-Carr but we don't know if any are the right P/N. Of course if FOT is price-competitive we'll order from them (Barry - got a unit price?)

Michelle

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #1 – May 13, 2013, 12:04:36 pm

Michelle,

Try these folks. Lots of RV parts including door trim seal.

Custom RV Parts, RV Parts Manufacturer, and RV Accessories at All-Rite

Keith

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #2 – May 13, 2013, 05:00:41 pm

Michelle:

For my 1992 U 240 I just clipped off a piece and sent it to the B-D Company in Denver and in about a week or so they sent back their part number and a sample that provided the closest match. Great people and as I remember good prices. They worked great. Needed 84 feet of the stuff.

Be careful on the internet to use the URL B-Dco.com or you will get a whole lot of people you don't want.

Al

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #3 – May 13, 2013, 11:29:34 pm

Michelle,
I purchased 25 feet of from McMaster-Carr (p/n 12335A18) a few years ago - I can't tell the difference between the old and new now. All I did was a dimension match - difficult with rubber. Since there's 12 years between our coaches it might not be the same size. I noticed for the p/n I got the price drops to $1.70/ft if you buy 100' or more.

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #4 – May 15, 2013, 10:50:41 pm

Michelle, I just replaced mine and got the trim seal from R&p Carriages on ebay. Look up item number 350433434512. They sell it by the foot @ $1.50. Also they do have several different size bulbs and grip ranges.

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #5 – May 15, 2013, 11:23:37 pm

Thanks for all the info and tips ! (wish I had seen that ebay listing a couple of hours ago as I spent another .20 per foot for the stuff I ordered).

In digging around I found a gasket P/N of 75000720 listed in one of our manuals for "compartment door trim seal". This number appears to be from here, its listed as a Dual Durometer EPDM Trim Seals for Edges .065" to .095" (RS-131). It comes in either a 250' roll or 25' roll.

The measurements on that image match (as best I can tell), the gaskets that we currently have, and our bay flange is 3/32. Using the 25' roll P/N of 75001363 there are a few places selling it, generally in the 1.70 - 1.80 a foot range.

It also looks suspiciously like the McMaster-Carr link above.

Thanks!

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #6 – May 16, 2013, 08:26:07 am

Did you buy the 250' roll? If so, we will be right up with our coach!

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #7 – May 16, 2013, 08:26:44 am

Oh and my shoulder is Really sore so you might have to show us how to replace them!

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #8 – May 16, 2013, 08:52:26 am

How do you tell if the gasket is "tired?" Will they actually keep the dust out when new? I live on a gravel road, everything gets a layer of dust, especially the bedroom.

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #9 – May 16, 2013, 10:47:30 am

Quote from: Gayland Baasch – May 16, 2013, 08:52:26 am

How do you tell if the gasket is "tired?"

I replaced some of mine due to it starting to slip off the edge of the flange, especially on the bottom edge where it is easy to lean on when reaching inside the bay. When it is not fully engaged on the flange, the doors are harder to closing because the gasket bulb catches on the outer edge of the door. Sometimes the internal grip spring on the gasket is rusted away. Where the spring is OK but the grip seems weak you can lightly squeeze down on the spring with some pliers as an alternative before it's time to replace it.

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #10 – May 24, 2013, 10:25:02 pm

Quote from: Steve – May 15, 2013, 11:23:37 pm

In digging around I found a gasket P/N of 75000720 listed in one of our manuals for "compartment door trim seal". This number appears to be from here, its listed as a Dual Durometer EPDM Trim Seals for Edges .065" to .095" (RS-131). It comes in either a 250' roll or 25' roll.

The measurements on that image match (as best I can tell), the gaskets that we currently have, and our bay flange is 3/32. Using the 25' roll P/N of 75001363 there are a few places selling it, generally in the 1.70 - 1.80 a foot range.

We can confirm that the 25' roll P/N we bought was the right stuff for our '03

With that plus some 3M sealant (for the bottom corners and to assist the "holding" of the bottom edge pieces), all our bays have new gaskets.

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #11 – May 25, 2013, 06:44:29 am

Quote from: Michelle – May 24, 2013, 10:25:02 pm

With that plus some 3M sealant (for the bottom corners and to assist the "holding" of the bottom edge pieces)

Did you use the sealant to close the gap in the corners? That idea would surely help me keep the rodents out (I think).

How fast is the setting time on whatever you used? Did you have to leave the doors open for any appreciable time to allow the sealant to set?

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #12 – May 25, 2013, 01:53:29 pm

We used 3M black super weatherstrip adhesive to join the cut corners together. 3M lists it as a strong, flexible, rubbery adhesive that can withstand vibration, oil, grease and extreme temperature variations, used to bond automotive weatherstripping.

The stuff is a bit like rubber cement, sticks very well to the gasket but is a bit messy. It skins over pretty quickly so you have to make sure to work it in to the joint well. I left the bay doors open for several hours to make sure it was dry. I also used this in the channel of the lower gasket since that tends to get quite a bit of abuse loading/unloading the bays. I also did "flood" the lower corners to seal them completely. Time will tell how well it holds up, but it did seem similar to what was use on the original gaskets.

Replacing the gaskets is easy, the top and sides are done as a single piece, and the bottom gasket is its own section. I found it easiest to start at a corner and work down and out, that made the best corners for me. You have to do some cutting of the gasket channel in a few areas to clear a few things (latches), you will see that was done on the original gasket as well. One roll of 25' would do two of our bays with a few inches of gasket left over.

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Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #13 – September 25, 2014, 01:39:07 am

Quote from: Steve – May 15, 2013, 11:23:37 pm

In digging around I found a gasket P/N of 75000720 listed in one of our manuals for "compartment door trim seal".

... Dual Durometer EPDM Trim Seals for Edges .065" to .095" (RS-131).

... our bay flange is 3/32.

... It also looks suspiciously like the McMaster-Carr link above.

Steve,

The part number you found for the Foretravel compartment door trim seal appears to be accurate. The trim you purchased was the right one. Thank you very much for the research that led to your discovery and for sharing it with us. I am now in the process of buying some for my bays.

You stated that your edge flange was 3/32". The trim that you bought was for an edge thickness of 1/16" - 3/32". It should fit snugly and tend to stay there.

However (you knew this was coming, didn't you?), your fourth statement, while technically accurate (because it does "look" right), is not the best fit IMHO. Here is my analysis of the difference:

Quote from: JohnFitz – May 13, 2013, 11:29:34 pm

I purchased 25 feet of from McMaster-Carr (p/n 12335A18) a few years ago - I can't tell the difference between the old and new now. All I did was a dimension match - difficult with rubber. Since there's 12 years between our coaches it might not be the same size.

McMaster-Carr part number 12335A18 is for an edge thickness of 3/32" - 1/8". Part number 12335A17 is for an edge thickness of 1/16" - 3/32". They will both work on our 3/32" edge thickness. But, the A18 can handle up to 1/8"; the A17 up to 3/32" and fit just as snugly as your Cooper Standard part number 75000720, which was specified by Foretravel.

The gasket coming loose is one of the problems we hear about when people discover leaks in their bays. I think (obviously with zero experience to draw from) that the tighter edge gap of the McMaster-Carr 12335A17 is a better match to the Foretravel specification than the McMaster-Carr 12335A18. That is the size I will be looking for to replace my problem/missing bay gaskets.

I do not mean to disparage the comment by John Fitz. I do not know what his edge thickness is or what gasket Foretravel used on his RV. As he pointed out, his coach is 12 years older; we do not know whether or not his edge thickness was, in fact, thicker than ours. Furthermore, he stated that it was difficult to measure the rubber gaskets; we are talking about only 1/32" difference. More importantly, he has used that gasket for several years and reports satisfaction with its implementation.

If there is a keeper of part number information, or someone has written an article recommending the use of McMaster-Carr 12335A18, I humbly suggest that they consider changing that reference to 12335A17. (The link would not have to be changed, just the text for the link.)

I hope my reporting of research findings does not offend anyone; that was not my intention. As I learn more about our shared passion, I hope to continue to share my experiences to assist others as others' contributions have helped me.

Trent

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #14 – September 25, 2014, 09:39:23 am

Trent,

I agree with what you said

Just to note I did not purchase the parts from McMaster Carr as I could not validate it was the exact same stuff from their descriptions, it looks like it though. I shoudl have noted that in my other posts.

I purchased the product from DK Hardware, Catalog Number: 75001363, worked out to $1.80/foot. It drop-shipped from CR Laurence. Our 40' took 5 25-foot rolls. This should be the link, but if not just search the site for that part number Trim Seal 75001363 Black Oversize Bulb

This has stayed in place very well, (has not moved at all), and the 3m product I used in the corners has held them together perfectly. Dry bays and an easy repair.

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #15 – September 25, 2014, 10:15:49 am

Steve,

Just to confirm: You used the 3M adhesive only in the bottom corners, right? You used the built-in groove in the gasket to mount it to your bay edges, correct?

Okay, now I think I can do it!

Thanks,

Trent

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #16 – September 25, 2014, 10:51:47 am

I bought a bunch of it last time I was at the factory. Can't remember what I paid; wasn't too bad. I don't use any adhesive. Just butt up a clean cut and keep the material supple with silicone. Never have any dust or water intrusion. Might be the different design of the old style doors but it works well.
jor

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #17 – September 25, 2014, 11:04:38 am

Glad to see my comment about bay seals has brought back this subject. I also suggest doing what Steve has done, glue the corners together as this will help to minimize any tendency of the bottom one to "shrink" and leave a gap there.
Most of these type of problems on our coach's are just "housekeeping ones" but it amazes me these simple things keep getting overlooked by many. To see what I mean just look at pictures posted by anyone and instead of looking at the "subject matter" at the time, have a look at the peripheral things as well and you will see what I mean.
JohnH

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #18 – September 25, 2014, 11:27:31 am

How do you guys negotiate the 90˚ bends at the top of the frame? Just cut a 45˚ in the metal portions and bend around? Picture would be helpful. This one is on my todo list.

see ya
ken

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #19 – September 25, 2014, 11:31:05 am

Ken, if I needed to do this one I would do all 45 deg cuts top and bottom and glue together, much neater
JohnH

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #20 – September 25, 2014, 11:51:02 am

Quote from: TulsaTrent – September 25, 2014, 10:15:49 am

Steve,

Just to confirm: You used the 3M adhesive only in the bottom corners, right? You used the built-in groove in the gasket to mount it to your bay edges, correct?

Okay, now I think I can do it!

Thanks,
Trent

Going by memory here, the top and two verticals were done as a single piece, you will have to make some simple cuts in the channel (not the gasket) to work around bolts and to help in the corners, but the original one you pull out will show you what you have to do.

The bottom channel is a separate piece, for that I'm pretty sure I ran a small bead of the adhesive in the channel and then pressed it on. That adhesive may not be necessary, but since the lower channel tends to get the most abuse, and is removed by pushing down, I figured it was a good thing to do.

Quote from: John Haygarth – September 25, 2014, 11:04:38 am

Glad to see my comment about bay seals has brought back this subject. I also suggest doing what Steve has done, glue the corners together as this will help to minimize any tendency of the bottom one to "shrink" and leave a gap there.
Most of these type of problems on our coach's are just "housekeeping ones" but it amazes me these simple things keep getting overlooked by many. To see what I mean just look at pictures posted by anyone and instead of looking at the "subject matter" at the time, have a look at the peripheral things as well and you will see what I mean.
JohnH

*nods* and its amazing sometimes how these little fixes make a huge change, you just forget how well some things used to work until you do a little housekeeping on them.

Quote from: kenhat – September 25, 2014, 11:27:31 am

How do you guys negotiate the 90˚ bends at the top of the frame? Just cut a 45˚ in the metal portions and bend around? Picture would be helpful. This one is on my todo list.

see ya
ken

I seem to recall those are outside corners so not much cutting was required, if any. You work your way around the opening, so up to a corner and around, pulling down and in to place. I'll take a picture of what we have.

ETA the corner pics, on ours the metal in the corners is cut back at 45 degrees so thats why the gasket wraps so well, YMMV

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #21 – September 25, 2014, 12:30:16 pm

Quote

How do you guys negotiate the 90˚ bends at the top of the frame?

I just cut mine on the inside. You can see the cut in this photo. No adhesive.
jor

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #22 – September 25, 2014, 03:07:48 pm

@jor I like that. Looks clean and easy.

see ya
ken

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #23 – September 25, 2014, 07:19:08 pm

Quote from: TulsaTrent – September 25, 2014, 01:39:07 am

They will both work on our 3/32" edge thickness....I do not mean to disparage the comment by John Fitz. I do not know what his edge thickness is or what gasket Foretravel used on his RV. As he pointed out, his coach is 12 years older; we do not know whether or not his edge thickness was, in fact, thicker than ours.

Well, I had my doubts that my flange would be a different thickness than later years but I was surprised to see that it is indeed 1/8" thick (I measured it twice too making sure the calipers were on square). I agree that the 12335A17 should work better on a 3/32" flange. One thing I just noticed is Steve's flange is black and the structure is square on the very bottom (I wonder if it's steel ?) On my coach (which looks absolutely identical to Jor's) the flanges are an aluminum extrusion with white paint and the bottom flange is a different extrusion that radiuses down with a channel that the 2"(or 1-1/2") floor fits into. So I would guess the design changed some between '95 and '03. Anyone else notice this?

Re: Storage bay gasket sourcing?

Reply #24 – September 25, 2014, 08:26:25 pm

I was wondering if anyone knows the price Foretravel charges.

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