EVERY AIRSTREAM LEAKS 💧 How to Reseal an Airstream, RV, or Travel Trailer

[@paulfriend4804]

Nice call and smooth job with the tape!

[@2marice2]

This was a good video. Owning an Airstream means taking care of it and you guys have.

[@ThisWyldeLife]

Very true. Just like anything worth keeping over time, they do need routine maintenance.

[@charliek9493]

Had the same moisture build up at the shower and bathroom fans. Tightened down/compressed the gaskets and solved the problem. Will add a bead of sealant as you suggest for good measure. Thanks for sharing!

[@ThisWyldeLife]

Our motto is "seal everything!"

[@dsonyay]

The is a really good waterproof spray that can be used… transparent too.

[@2000talon]

Good job🙂 huh I must have the only 1962 globetrotter that never leaked New subscriber from 🇨🇦

[@ThisWyldeLife]

Glad to hear your '62 is still dry! How often do you have to reseal it? Thanks for subscribing :)

[@2000talon]

@@ThisWyldeLife nope never, I should get up their check my seals

[@fliptherx3865]

Just bought a 62 and was kind of freaking lol ....but mine is a complete rebuild so I'm expecting leaks....everywhere

[@patrickholmes1044]

All of your videos should be filmed shirtless. 😂 Thank you for the great video - I’m seriously considering going full time in an airstream and your videos are helping with that decision.

[@ThisWyldeLife]

Lol we could make that happen! Glad to hear our videos have been helping with your decision. Airstreams are wonderful trailers for full-timing-the size, floor plan, and decor of our 27FB in particular made downsizing much easier than we expected. The leaks were frustrating, but any RV that is used long enough will develop leaks. The key is staying on top of seal maintenance, and addressing any leaks as soon as they appear. Good luck with your decision and feel free to ask questions!

[@patrickholmes1044]

@@ThisWyldeLife thank you! I’m so glad I found your channel because it is giving me another important perspective. I stayed in a trailer like yours for a long weekend and absolutely loved it. I considered that type of trailer for a while and then got hooked on the new interstate x for a while and then thought about a basecamp after visiting a dealer. Now I’ve gone full circle and am back thinking about a larger trailer like yours. Im curious, do you feel limited by its size? I know you got the 3” lift, which I imagine helps a lot with boondocking. I was drawn to the interstate x because of its off-road capabilities but that wet bath is so small! (I’m 6’2” and not nearly as fit as Mr. Shirtess.)

[@ThisWyldeLife]

@@patrickholmes1044 Spending a few nights in the RV(s) you're looking at is a great move. It really helps you imagine full-time life and play out different scenarios like lounging, cooking, working, sleeping, etc. To pull a 27FB safely, you need a 3/4 ton pickup or a very carefully optioned 1/2 ton. We are 49' in length, and it's a lot of rig to move around. Whether that's a limitation depends a lot on where you'll spend most of your time camping. If you're planning to stay in RV parks, size really doesn't matter. We've also don't feel limited when in comes to dispersed camping in WY, CO, UT, AZ, and NM. With careful research on Campendium, we are able to find plenty of epic spots that aren't too rough for the Airstream (but yes, the 3" lift is essential!). On the west coast, where dispersed camping is more limited, we do feel more constrained by our size. It's often necessary to stay in paid campgrounds, and the state or federal campgrounds often have a limited number of long sites. Combined with our inability to make reservations, we've found that region difficult. We've heard the Northeast is similar. In these situations, a Basecamp or van would be an easier option. We're actually considering transitioning into a van this winter to open up some new opportunities. That said, we are 100% happy that we started out in our trailer. A van seemed impossibly small when moving out of our house. A year later, as we've continued to simplify, it seems much more doable. The trailer's biggest advantage is the ability to park it somewhere for a couple weeks, and just explore in our truck. It's nice to come back to our Airstream at the end of the day, and have a tiny home waiting for us. A van doesn't provide that luxury, but it does make other things easier. In short, there's no perfect option! If you do go the van route, also consider upfitters other than Airstream. There are floor plans out there that make better use of the space, and you can do a custom design to meet your needs (like a bigger shower).

[@patrickholmes1044]

@@ThisWyldeLife thank you so much for the great info!!!! My luck, I’m a bit stuck on the west coast as I work in California and have to go into work sometimes. But I’d definitely like to venture further East and that’s good to know those states have lots of dispersed camping. I recently spent time in Arizona and noticed there were a lot more camping options there. You’ve given me a lot to think about!

[@ThisWyldeLife]

@@patrickholmes1044 glad to help! Good luck with your decision, and feel free to ask more questions as your plans evolve. Camping can be tricky in California, but it's one of the most beautiful places in the country. Good area to be "stuck" in!

[@Hawk89gt]

I'm wondering is a strip of eternabond would have been a bit easier? I've used it on ruber/vinyl roofs, and once that's on, it is not coming off.

[@roddraym]

Thanks for sharing your extensive research and application on this! Love the roller-toasters: 1994 Sovereign

[@ThisWyldeLife]

Glad you found it helpful! Enjoy your '94!

[@DavidLaFerney]

When we aren’t traveling our 2011 airstream stays under a carport, but we’ve been through torrential rains and long steady ones as well - and we’ve never seen ANY sign of a leak. What exactly indicated to you that you had a leak?

[@cameronwylde703]

Our leak appeared as a very slow drip from the top of the screen on the back window during heavy rains. We also were feeling a little bit of moisture on the handles of the shower and toilet exhaust fans, which is why we resealed around the fan roof penetrations. Bone dry ever since. It's a good idea to open access panels to periodically peak under cabinets wherever you can, and look for signs of water on the plywood subfloor. We do this under our wardrobe and bathroom sink, where there's also a lot of plumbing.

[@123JumpingJacks]

How often so you guys so this?

[@DavidLaFerney]

I will say this - many RVs have a flat membrane roof that actually holds some water or at least takes a relatively long time to drain off which really exacerbates an otherwise minor leak. An airstreams curved shape and crowned roof causes it to drain and dry off instead of seep water for days after a rain. Also - when we were shopping for our RV I looked at one AS that had sat outside unused for 20 years and had no apparent water damage. Maybe (quite possibly) there was hidden damage, but even in its neglected state it was a usable camper. This was not true of any other used RV that I looked at which had sat outside. So I’m not sure that All ASs leak is entirely accurate.

[@cameronwylde703]

That's a great point about the curved roof. That does help minimize the severity of any potential leaks because water is moving past the leak point, not pooling on it. Airstreams that sit unused are actually less likely to leak. As the Airstream is towed down the road, the frame and skin are constantly flexing. Over time, this can cause seals to break loose.

[@nursegilbey]

You didn't need to do anything with the AC gasket?

[@_Circus_Clapped_]

Just saying, working on these as detail, the roof is very flimsy compared to its competitors, the front end is extremely flagile to power wash reliably so doing it by hand is a must

[@fliptherx3865]

So avoid car washes and stick to a hose? New AS owner !

[@SpencerLewis-vp4dw]

How many tubes of each did you use?

[@donniehelmly4920]

What year and model is your air stream?

[@propatriabellum]

Unrelated question: is your solar an add-on or from AS?

[@levipack3835]

I'm a lucky one. 1988, no leaks.

[@tdgdbs1]

Older ones are much better built; I am holding on to my 1982. No roof leak but there some soft spots on the floor, big job so I just removed the carpet and put thick flooring planks on top.

[@projet2907]

I noticed you took off some rubber strips on the parts that go across front and back, then You put dome grey Sikaflex between the painter's tape about 1" wide. Why didn't you put back the rubber part on the rivets like the original way? Thank You for this video :-0)

[@ThisWyldeLife]

Are you referring to the bits we're removing at 1:14? Those are actually the original Sikaflex. It comes off in what looks like rubber strips.

[@projet2907]

@@ThisWyldeLife Yes, also at 0:22 to 0:34, and on my own roof, It sure looks like rubber strips. I would love to see how they make those at the Factory! Gook Job on yours, How old was your seals?. Mine are 2017, (or 16 !!). I can see it's sort of thinning and I can see the rivets shape through. Thnak you for your reply!

[@projet2907]

@@ThisWyldeLife Also what caulking did you use for it? I forget :-0)

[@ThisWyldeLife]

@@projet2907 it depends on the area that we were addressing: • Sikaflex 221 White Sealant amzn.to/3yiRkJW • Sikaflex 221 Gray Sealant amzn.to/3ff5DYt • Dicor Self-leveling Sealant amzn.to/3xcYcHG The gray works best on the aluminum surfaces because it blends in a little better.

[@ThisWyldeLife]

@@projet2907 I think the factory uses the same technique we did; they're just more practiced at making it look good! Our seals were from 2015. They looked to be in good shape, but we wanted to err on the side of replacing more than necessary.

[@russbrinton367]

I have had two Airstreams, and neither one ever leaked, so not sure who told you that!

[@TheIceStormof1906]

What year is your Airstream? Wondering how often does this need to be done?

[@ThisWyldeLife]

2015. A safe bet is every 5-10 years depending on how often it's towed and if it's stored outside. Towing causes flexing and vibration, which deteriorates the seals more quickly.

[@mnapier61]

Looks like Verde Ranch RV Storage 😀

[@ThisWyldeLife]

Good eye!

[@mnapier61]

@@ThisWyldeLife I had mine there for about a year. I also got caught in one of those storms. 😎👍🏻

[@MajTom-wd2yt]

"Several small leaks" and you went the full monty. Our '04 Classic also had several leaks, we just covered the suspect areas with blue painters tape, hosed down to confirm and re-sealed with 3M 4200. "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is."

[@ThisWyldeLife]

We went crazy taping off areas and thinking that we had isolated the leak, only to find that we still had water intrusion. Eventually we decided to just reseal the end caps entirely.

[@Kecarter1]

What year airstream do you all have?

[@ThisWyldeLife]

Hey, Karen. Thanks for watching! It’s a 2015.

[@stevemuise6315]

Nice video! Helps alot

[@ThisWyldeLife]

Thanks, Steve. Glad you found it helpful!

[@j.clement8476]

no sealant around anything that did not have sealant around it from factory

[@johnsims709]

Are you referring to the running lights on the rear roof? I was wondering about whether or not to throw some sealant around those or just get new 3m tape. I think thats what is used from factory ?

[@j.clement8476]

@@johnsims709 Yeah. I was told do not seal lights. The theory is that you can cause the bulb/lens to sweat which will lead to corrosion.

[@123JumpingJacks]

Had no idea you could sit on the roof of an airstream

[@kurtschulmeyer1041]

All rvs will leak without routine maintenance.

[@ThisWyldeLife]

Absolutely true! Keeping up with the seals it key.

[@durango8882]

Every RV leaks. You are both very thin guessing 130? How about much heavier people?

[@janetbard1231]

You pay $150,000 for a trailer that leaks? ;o

[@ThisWyldeLife]

Well, so does every RV at some point. Preventative re-sealing is a must.

[@israelcontreras5332]

I just cant see myself spending all that money only to get bad quality.

[@dsonyay]

A guy with man bun preparing to use tools… not a good sign. :)

[@thomasucc]

Did I just see a lady drink pickle juice? Emily Bronte would faint and I just had to look away. I subscribed away just to see what ye get up to

[@ThisWyldeLife]

Victoria swears it's essential fuel for any RV resealing project...

[@philliphutcheson4219]

Lolololol nope. All airstreams leak when amateurs try to fix them. When professionals seal them that stops.

[@ThisWyldeLife]

It’s really not hard to lay some sealant on a seam. Any careful DIYer can handle the job. There are just a lot of seams and rivets to keep up with.

[@philliphutcheson4219]

@@ThisWyldeLife which is why it’s better to let the pros handle it. Plus they typically have liability if you have problems later on.

[@ThisWyldeLife]

Again it’s not a difficult job. It just takes a lot of time. If someone has the money to pay a tech to do the job, that’s great. If someone has the time to DIY it, they shouldn’t feel like it’s a difficult feat. When it’s time to reseal again, we might look into paying someone to save us the time.

[@protonneutron9046]

Duh! with the number of moment connections with soft metal and rivets you will NEVER seal the leaks for long. The construction is 70 years out of date plus WAY overpriced. Not to mention wood flooring that will rot and fiberglass bat insulation that goes less than useless after a while.

[@ThisWyldeLife]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts 👍

[@protonneutron9046]

@@ThisWyldeLife Not my thoughts. Simple fact. I don't have any "thoughts" about science/engineering. What is, is.

[@robdgarza]

most every RV leaks after time makes no difference in the construction. Joints leak when seal, gaskets, sealant degrades. My question to them is how long (year/months/days) did your RV last until you had to seal.

[@protonneutron9046]

@@robdgarza Not what I I'm talking about. This is specific to Air Streams. For instance, monocoque fiberglass trailers do not have this problem. Thanks for playing though.

[@robdgarza]

@@protonneutron9046 so other RV's do not leak at the joints is your statement correct? I am stating most joints will leak given time regardless of construction.