Window Leaks - 1979 Bigfoot

[WillyBigfoot]

Hi all. Posting again with more leaks!

So we've had a lot of rain the last few days, like heavy downpours and rainfall warnings. Have a bit of water coming in some windows. I inspected thoroughly and I don't think it's the seal around the windows. It looks like the water is getting in through the old dry weather stripping on all the sliding windows. Like coming between the windows and running down the track so to speak. The back window that doesn't open is dry as a bone, but most the others that slide seem susceptible to hard or driving rain....

What is the best way to address this?? Let's say I pull out the windows and rebed and reseal, is there a way to upgrade the weather stripping on the tracks to seal ? Or maybe just have a glass shop put new glass in with no sliding window to seal??

Any suggestions are appreciated!!

-willy

[EllPea in CA]

Have you cleaned the bottom tracks? Are the weep holes clogged?

Or do you think the water is coming in at the top of the window assembly?

[bobblangley]

Although I can see the appeal, I'd be reluctant to replace sliding windows with fixed windows.

[ninklink]

I had same problem
Reseal window frame with butyl caulking
Not hard to do
Buy white Camcorder rain gutter comes in a roll and put up and over the window gram and down the other side to bottom of frame for all windows
It will direct water away from your window

[WillyBigfoot]

Originally Posted by EllPea in CA

Have you cleaned the bottom tracks? Are the weep holes clogged?

Or do you think the water is coming in at the top of the window assembly?

I am going to check the weep holes tonight. I was doing some research how to check and clean them last night or what they even were !!

I think the tracks are old and definitely need cleaning. It doesn’t look like they were moved much recently. I think the water is getting in the track. On a few windows if the rain is driving it may get in part way up , maybe the fit and finish is a little wonky being so old. Like there may be a gap between where the windows meet, or where the window closes against the frame it might not close tight enough . I’ll take a hose and inspect further when I clean the weep holes. Thanks for the reply !

[WillyBigfoot]

Originally Posted by bobblangley

Although I can see the appeal, I'd be reluctant to replace sliding windows with fixed windows.

Ok thanks ! I don’t imagine it would be cheap either

[WillyBigfoot]

Originally Posted by ninklink

I had same problem
Reseal window frame with butyl caulking
Not hard to do
Buy white Camcorder rain gutter comes in a roll and put up and over the window gram and down the other side to bottom of frame for all windows
It will direct water away from your window

Did you pull out and completely rebed the window frame or just add caulking around it ?

Sorry the last part did you mean put Camco rain gutter around the window frame ? Or the vinyl insert camco product? Just not sure if there was an auto correct in there ! Thanks for the reply

[EllPea in CA]

Originally Posted by WillyBigfoot

I am going to check the weep holes tonight. I was doing some research how to check and clean them last night or what they even were !!

I think the tracks are old and definitely need cleaning. It doesn’t look like they were moved much recently. I think the water is getting in the track. On a few windows if the rain is driving it may get in part way up , maybe the fit and finish is a little wonky being so old. Like there may be a gap between where the windows meet, or where the window closes against the frame it might not close tight enough . I’ll take a hose and inspect further when I clean the weep holes. Thanks for the reply !

My trailer had been parked for several years, and when I started getting her cleaned and ready for the road, the windows would hardly move. My tracks were full of grit and gunk... I cleaned them and added some silicone spray. Now they slide nicely but the metal handle on the glass has popped off! More things to fix!

[WillyBigfoot]

Originally Posted by EllPea in CA

My trailer had been parked for several years, and when I started getting her cleaned and ready for the road, the windows would hardly move. My tracks were full of grit and gunk... I cleaned them and added some silicone spray. Now they slide nicely but the metal handle on the glass has popped off! More things to fix!

Oh nice !! Did you find they leaked before you cleaned them ??

[EllPea in CA]

Originally Posted by WillyBigfoot

Oh nice !! Did you find they leaked before you cleaned them ??

The windows had fresh butyl when I bought the trailer, and I've never seen water inside. But I did see a kind of suspicious crack under the driver's side rear window. That could have been from before the windows were sealed, it could have happened due to excessive heat and no shade (poor trailer, I'm getting it under cover soon), or possibly the weep holes were clogged on that side. Since there were curtains and cushions there, I really don't know if it's old or new damage.

Hard to say. Maybe someone else here has an idea? See photos below.

Since we're talking about window maintenance, I'll also post a picture of one of the tracks which seems to have warped and restricts the window opening. Maybe I can nurse it back into shape with a little heat gun application? Any suggestions appreciated.

[WillyBigfoot]

Originally Posted by EllPea in CA

The windows had fresh butyl when I bought the trailer, and I've never seen water inside. But I did see a kind of suspicious crack under the driver's side rear window. That could have been from before the windows were sealed, it could have happened due to excessive heat and no shade (poor trailer, I'm getting it under cover soon), or possibly the weep holes were clogged on that side. Since there were curtains and cushions there, I really don't know if it's old or new damage.

Hard to say. Maybe someone else here has an idea? See photos below.

Since we're talking about window maintenance, I'll also post a picture of one of the tracks which seems to have warped and restricts the window opening. Maybe I can nurse it back into shape with a little heat gun application? Any suggestions appreciated.

That little cracking looks similar to mine which I’m pretty sure is water damage. Mine is a bit worse than yours tho. But who knows maybe yours isn’t from water.

Did you clean your weep holes and did you find it made a difference?

[Kenny Strong]

I drilled weep holes in the outside window frame. the frame is poorly engineered, for water removal.
water collected in the frame thru condensation internally goes thru weep holes to the outside frame, the weep holes I drilled, allow internal water and rain water to exit away from the window.

Later Kenny

[EllPea in CA]

Originally Posted by WillyBigfoot

That little cracking looks similar to mine which I’m pretty sure is water damage. Mine is a bit worse than yours tho. But who knows maybe yours isn’t from water.

Did you clean your weep holes and did you find it made a difference?

I have cleaned them, but don’t really know if it made a difference

[EllPea in CA]

Originally Posted by Kenny Strong

I drilled weep holes in the outside window frame. the frame is poorly engineered, for water removal.
water collected in the frame thru condensation internally goes thru weep holes to the outside frame, the weep holes I drilled, allow internal water and rain water to exit away from the window.

Later Kenny

Kenny, what do your tracks look like? Mine is warped. Do I have to take the window apart to replace it? (See photo in post above)

[WillyBigfoot]

Originally Posted by EllPea in CA

I have cleaned them, but don’t really know if it made a difference

Ok! I will be cleaning mine so I'll keep you posted!

[WillyBigfoot]

Originally Posted by Kenny Strong

I drilled weep holes in the outside window frame. the frame is poorly engineered, for water removal.
water collected in the frame thru condensation internally goes thru weep holes to the outside frame, the weep holes I drilled, allow internal water and rain water to exit away from the window.

Later Kenny

Ok cool so did that work pretty good??

[Jane P.]

Really sorry you’re having trouble. I’m having a similar problem with one of my windows.

The good news is that U have single pane windows, which is easier to work with.

Because the problem is extensive you should find a good RV glass repair service. They will not only reseat your windows but rebuild the outside of each window. You want a shop that has experience with “vintage” trailers & will use appropriate materials for Fiberglass.

RV repair shops won’t work with “glass” problems. They refer their clients to glass specialists. To find a reputable RV glass service, call 2-4 RV/trailer repair shops and ask which glass shops they send their clients. Then take your trailer in for estimates. Ask for customer references. Make sure they understand that you have a Fiberglass trailer & will agree to use Butyl tape.

It will not be cheap to have glass specialists do this repair work. But you will solve the problem and can maintain the windows yourself biannually at minimal cost.

Sometimes you have to let a professional solve your problem.

[Kenny Strong]

Willy Yes, wash over windows with hose no leaks. I don't force water where the windows overlap,
Also drilled holes in front and back window frames.

[Kenny Strong]

I have taken the sliding glass out of the frame, I cleaned out the track, I didn't think about replacing it. It was not warped like yours. SUN-VIEW INDUSTRIES LTD. box. 1229
Summerland , B.C. V0H 1Z0 ph. (250)494-1327 FAX. (250) 494-9221.
I bought nylon window latches 1LH /1RH With Rivets.
Will they sell new track, and rubber molding ???
I think the frame would have to be taken off the trailer to remove the rubber gasket and vinyl slide track

[Kenny Strong]

Willy, the windows I drilled out the frame, to make weep holes, were the front and rear.
I forgot the side windows have large weep holes