[A/S] Leak repair (long)

[Judy White <dmurtha@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Folks!  Sorry it took so long to get these posted.  The learning
curve for the photo software was a bit more intense than the leak
repair.

We had rivers of water running down the inside of all the side window
screens on our 72 27' Ambassador.  The A&P and I crawled all over the
trailer looking for leaks.  We found the major source of leaks/inside
rivers to be the awning tracks on both sides of the trailer.  This due
to age, the elements, and a marginal job on the original awing
installation.  We have no evidence of leaks around the front or back
windows, confirming our diagnosis.

Picture #1.  The big awning, 17', was secured with Olympic rivets on 4"
centers.  The smaller awning, 15', was riveted on 6" centers.  Over the
years, the normal tension on the awning had pulled the rivets loose.
The loosened rivets, combined with the flexing action of the awning in
the wind and on the road, was actually pumping water into the rivet
holes.  The awning track acted as a dam to hold the water above the
holes until it could be pumped in.  The range hood cover extends under
the awning track and was leaking badly also...I could easily fill the
coffee pot when strategically located under the waterfall!  You can see
the gaps under the awning track and the upper corner of the range hood
vent cover.

#2.    The 17' awning is heavy...Merited heavy equipment to assist with
removal.  It should slip out of the track, but the track on our was so
full of dirt it wouldn't slide.  We removed the rivets and supported the

weight of the awning with the Bobcat's extended bucket.  After the
awning was off and on the ground, I flushed enough dirt out of the track

to loosen it and remove it from the awning.

#3.    As we removed the rivets, the mud was splattering out from under
the awning track...Maybe that's why that coffee tasted so good!  ;-}

#4.    Duct tape was used under the awning track as a seal???

#5.    After removing the track, you can see the duct tape, dirt, and
the burrs (metal shavings) from drilling the holes for original
installation.  The A&P was not impressed with the quality of work here!
Remember, these were the Beatrice years!  Muffin makers building
Airstreams...

#6.    Cleaning off the mess...At this point I happened to be watching a

nasty looking drip of dirty soapy water drip down the side of the
trailer...It went into the crack at the top of the opening for my fresh
water tank fill...It did not come out the bottom. >:-(   Yummm...That
water tank that I'd just cleaned, flushed, bleached.  The water tank
fill cover now has new, thick seals on it!  Ever wonder where that
cruddy stuff comes from in your water filter?  Now you know!  Fix those
seals!

#7.    This is the only place we used silicone...Lots of it.  There were

1" gaps around the range hood fan.

#8.    Range hood cover reattached.  First put down a bead of Vulkem.
Replace cover, insert kleeckos, then Olympic rivets.

#9.    Finished range hood cover.

#91.  To reinforce the awning track installation, we doubled the
rivets.  For the curbside 17' awning, there are now rivets every two
inches.  For the 15' streetside awning the rivets are every three
inches.  They were originally on 4" and 6" centers, respectively.  In
drilling the new holes, there are metal shavings created...Burrs

#92.    Use the deburring tool on each hole to remove the shavings.

#93.    Deburred hole.  Clean surfaces for the installation will make
the seals last longer!

#94.    Put down a generous bead of Vulkem.  Attach kleeckos and Olympic

rivets.

#95.    Clean up the excess Vulkem and shave the rivet heads.

#96.    The 15' awning - reattached.  And the cloudy Vista View window
(next project).

The job took three days.  Up and down ladders and moving a foot and back

up the ladder.  Some sort of scaffolding would have made it easier on
the knees.  The good news...It worked!  After several rainstorms, we
have no evidence of leaks!

Judy White
72 27’ Ambassador
WBCCI #5040, VAC
mailto:dmurtha@seanet.com