Exterior care
Inspect the seams and reseal twice a year
Water never enters a trailer where the stain shows up inside. It finds a tired seam on the roof, runs along an aluminum rib, and surfaces a foot away. Catching a cracked bead of sealant in spring and fall is the difference between a five-dollar fix and a rotted subfloor.
Where to look
- Every seam that holds sealant Walk the roof around vents, the A/C, and the awning rail, then the tops and bottoms of windows and doors, and the side-sheet seams. Run a finger along each bead and look for cracking, gaps, discoloration, or anything dried out and pulling away.
- Spring and fall Fold the inspection into your seasonal routine. Twice a year catches deterioration before a hard winter or a hot summer opens it into a leak.
Seal it with the right stuff
- Polyurethane, not silicone Silicone will not bond to aluminum and peels off. Use a polyurethane sealant made for RV exteriors. It sticks like taffy, stays flexible, and is UV-stable. Clean the old failed bead out before you lay a fresh one over the top.
Helps to have on board
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