[A/S] Re: leak prevention in argosy

["overlander_64" <overlander64@xxxxxxxxx>]

Greetings Jeff!

Due to their similar construction techniques, the Airstream and 
Argosy share a geat deal in terms of leak detection/diagnosis/and 
correction.  The actual point of a leak may be several feet from the 
actual location where you are seeing the moisture.  Even though the 
moisure you are seeing is at floor level, it could be coming from 
points on the roof or high on the sidewalls of the coach - - the 
moisture often migrates between the inner and outer walls and 
presents itself as a puddle on the floor.  Some of the more common 
sources to check/clean/reseal would include:

1.)  All marker lights including side marker and clearance lights.  
These tend to be slightly less prone to leaking than the style found 
on Vintage Airstreams - - the ones on my Overlander have been a leak 
source but those on my Minuet haven't been up to this point.

2.)  Black and Gray water tank vent stacks - - there is a gasket 
that often needs to be replaced as well as caulking/sealing about 
the permiter of the "shield".

3.)  Vent openings as well as the seal between the vent cap and the 
vent opening.

4.)  Range hood vent opening - - the gasket on the vent door as well 
as caulking/sealing about the perimeter of the opening.

5.)  Awning rails wherever an awning has been attached - - over 
time, the rivets can work in the skin creating a potential for leaks 
along the awining rail.

6.)  The juncture where the window frame meets the coach body can be 
a point where resealing can be needed.

7.)  Name badges on the coach, especially those on the dome ends 
have been known to be a leak source on some coaches.  The front name 
plate on my Minuet was removed several years ago for that very 
reason.

8.)  Window and door gaskets can also be suspect on our Vintage 
coaches - - my Overlander needed to have all of its gaskets replaced 
while only two of the windows needed attention on my Minuet.

9.)  The juncture between the rear bumper storage compartment lid 
and body of the coach is a perennial problem on many Argosy and 
Airstream coaches - - in fact, I removed the cover on my Overlander 
to reduce the tendency for leaves to collect and hold water near the 
coach (a bumper replacement had already done away with the bottom to 
the compartment so the door was for appearances only as it served no 
purpose on my coach).

10.) The attaching hardware for the rock guard on the front window 
(if you happen to have one on your coach) can also be a source of 
leaks due to age/use issues.

11.)  An improperly installed replacement air conditioner has also 
been know to contribute to unusual leak problems - - the one with 
which I am most familiar is one where the space between the inner 
and outer roof panels hadn't been reinforced and the attaching 
hardware for the air conditioner had compressed the two panels 
creating a low spot where water collected and eventually found its 
way into the coach.

12.)  Roof mounted television antennas have also been known to be a 
source of leaks especially if the antenna has been the victim of 
either storm or accident damage at sometime in its past.

13.)  Refrigerator vent can pose a leak problem from its juction 
with the roof panel as well as from the vent iteself if it is 
plastic/fiberglass and has suffered any storm damage - - this was 
the only damage on my Overlander following a terrible hail storm two 
years ago - - the plastic cover was shattered allowing a puddle to 
form in front of the refrigerator (a new refrigerator vent cover 
solved the problem).

Basically, any penetration of the skin, especially on the roof is a 
potential source of a leak if the seal is maintained.  Fortunately, 
the combination of Parabond/Vulkem/Alcoa Gutter seal form effective 
seals when properly appliead and have a rather long useful life.  I 
don't cope well with heights or climbing ladders so I trust my 
coach's resealing to my Airstream dealer - - it is a once every two 
years maintenance item on my routine maitenance list.

So far as the juncture between the galvanized steel endcaps and the 
aluminum body of the coach, I have not been made aware of any 
particular sealing issues.  It is critical to maintain the paint to 
prevent as much oxidation as possible - - while it is theoretically 
possible for the galvanized steel endcaps to rust through, I have 
yet to hear of it actually happening on a coach in regular use that 
has had a modicum of maintenance.  My understanding is that the seam 
between these two areas would be treated with Alcoa Gutter Seal or 
some have used Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Sealer (a 
marine "equivalent" of the Alcoa product according to my notes).

In regard to painting the galvanized steel encaps, my information is 
that the same preparation and practices as used for autos apply to 
these areas on the Argosy.  It is the aluminum body where the 
preparion and application is somewhat different from that for the 
typical steel bodies on automobiles.

I am in the process of looking at free-standing storage pods for my 
Airstream and Argosy.  My neighbor has used one for his family's 
motorhomes for more than a decade and my plan is to purchase one 
like his.  They are readily available in my area - - they are made 
completely of aluminum (the RV model is either 12' x 36' or 24' x 
36') - - it consists of a pitched roof with aluminum structure with 
optional side and end panels for additional protection.  The one 
like my neighbor has is 24' x 36' with the minimum drive-under 
height of 14' and has no side or end panels the base price from my 
local dealer was under $2,400 installed the last time that I checked 
the narrower single-wide pods were about $600 to $800 less.  After 
more than 10 years of weather exposure that RV pod still looks like 
new and it has withstood a number of ice storms, more than a few 
hail storms as well as at least one close call with a tornado - - my 
neighbor reports that his coaches have been well protected, but that 
he plans to add side panels for sun protection more than for storm 
protection.

Good luck with your sealing project!

Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI/VAC/Free Wheelers/Computer Club #6359
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban (7400 
VORTEC/4.10 Differentials)
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (8.2 
Liter V8/2.70 Final Drive)