Did you know that nearly every RV sold in the U.S. requires that you inspect the seals on the outside of the unit, typically every 90 days or so? What does this mean? Basically, you look at the seals around the RV and make sure that they’re still doing their job. You know, sealing.
Simple!
But what happens if you find a leak or a seal that needs to be repaired? And what if water has gotten in, and now you hope to file a warranty claim?
During my time at the RV dealership, the dealership was small enough that I also managed many of the warranty claims that came in. To say that that experience was eye-opening would be an understatement.
Having a great RV dealership on your side as part of your warranty experience makes all the difference in the world. There were some people who thought I did a great job and others who thought I was… well, we just don’t use those words here. We all have good days and bad days, and sometimes someone’s attitude could affect my aptitude. Sure. That part’s been ordered. Karen.
But one of the things that’s almost never ever covered is leaks. Why? Because the seals around the RV are not generally covered by the warranty since they’re considered wear or ongoing maintenance items, as are brakes and other consumables. But there were times when I could get certain warranty claims for leaks covered.
My tip for you: Record the seals
This is my tip for you: When you first get your shiny new RV, I recommend taking a camera (the one on your phone is fine) and going around the RV and shooting a video of all the seals. Then, at those 90-day intervals, do it again. Don’t forget to do the roof as part of this process. The way I do this is with a long selfie stick, and I lift the camera up on it and shoot the video from the ground.
Have I ever mentioned that I’m lazy? I am. If you ever want to know the easiest way to accomplish any task, I’ve probably figured that out. I have written about the RV Slideout Sweep before, and I also use that same pole to mount a camera for these inspections.
In fact, I found a mount for that pole that allows me to connect my smartphone. It’s super convenient. And lazy.
I keep all these photos in Apple Photos because I’m an Apple guy. So I’ve created an album there of each of these videos. If I see a seal that’s starting to catch my attention, I can go back in history and see if it’s normal or if it’s something to be concerned about.
This is a great reference for me, but also a great reference if I have a warranty question. It’s also proof that I did, indeed, do my routine seal inspection because I have a time-stamped video of having done so.
I would be more likely to get at least consideration if I wanted to file a warranty claim.
If or when I do find an issue with the seals, what do I recommend? Talking to your RV’s manufacturer.
What sealant to use and when to reseal it
What you use on the outside of your RV depends on the material it’s made from. There isn’t one universal answer. Some RV companies are really good at specifying the sealant you should use, but not all.
I see people recommend “Dicor” all the time on social media. While that may be fine for some RVs, it’s not a universal fit. The roof on my Rockwood Mini Lite is an Alpha Ply product, and the standard Dicor is not compatible with this. They do make a product that is, but you have to know what you’re looking for.
Keeping water out is a big part of the RV lifestyle. So, how often did I have to reseal my RV? Well, our first Mini Lite did have a leak at a marker light, and I missed it. So, our first Mini Lite had some delamination on the nose.
One final thing…
If you do choose to buy an RV that’s been sitting on the lot for some time, know that no RV dealership is likely to do routine inspections. So, having a thorough inspection of the seals or, better yet, an independent RV inspector go over the whole rig is a good decision. That’s true even if the RV is new.
Hopefully, with routine inspections, you’ll never have to encounter that surly warranty guy who will tell you that, no, the seals aren’t covered on your RV.
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RVT1245
Recently I was looking at 5th wheels at a dealership. Walking around I noticed that the bearing on one tire was completely gone???, really??
“Don’t worry, we’ll fix it after you buy it.”
No, you won’t.