... at RV-ing.
As of this month, JohnnyDisco has been our full-time home for one year and there's still so much we don't know about this lifestyle.
For example, did you know you need to constantly check the sealant on your roof vents and slides to prevent water leaks? You can find this out the hard way or the easy way; the hard way being water damage in your rig after a major rainstorm. Luckily, we found out the easy way - through conversation with more experienced RV-ers.
We were going to use Dicor sealant, a pliable caulking sealant that RV dealers recommend. But then all the old boys here at Dodge City RV told us they use something called Eternabond which is a sealant in tape form. From the pics online it looks like a roll of super thick duct tape.
Eternabond has a ten year warranty and after reading online reviews about the product, the only negative thing My Fella has read is that you need to place it in the exact the spot you want it because it's almost impossible to remove.
My Fella was invited to watch our RV neighbours apply some to their rig next week. One of the other Dodge City guys has already used it on his 5-wheel and loves the stuff. And he agreed that precision is important - it is really hard to remove Eternabond if you stick it on crooked.
We just ordered a role of black Eternabond (4" x 50' long) from this online site and it was much cheaper than anything we've found at RV stores. Total cost with taxes, shipping & handling charges = $62.
If you've had any experience with Eternabond, please comment. My Fella is very open to advice/tips about how to apply it :)
*Silly sidenote: The morning business news has been consumed by the European debt crisis and I've had the word Eurobond stuck in my head for days. And now I can't wrap my brain around the word Eternabond - I keep calling it Eurobond. My Fella knows what I'm trying to say when I talk about putting Eurobond on the roof, but our Dodge City RV neighbours don't quite get it. Whenever I mention Eurobonding our rig, they look at me like I've been drinking since 9am.
Over a few years even a tiny leak can cause major problems. A leak behind a tail light where the wire goes thru, a leak at the tv antenna, or ladder, etc can eventually be very costly. We found out the hard, $$$$$ way. Every year, before the North Okanagan rain/snow season, I get a dealer to pressure test the entire unit for leaks, it does not cost a lot, and can pay off. They have always found small easy to fix leaks. Even a minor leak can cause a fibreglas wall to bulge from the wood backing delaminating.
Posted by: Don | February 16, 2011 at 02:33 PM
Mr P - Do you get the pressure test done in Vernon or Winfield? Do you know (roughly) how much it is?
Posted by: kelsi | February 17, 2011 at 06:38 AM
For 4 years I took it to Vernon Rv Service, they are strictly an Rv repair shop and don't sell RVs. I think they have been around for years and years and to me they seem very honest and reliable. I noticed they do a lot of insurance work. They are just a bit south west of Village Green mall. I can't remember the exact price but I think it usually was ballpark $125, for our 32 foot A. The leak test certainly gives peace of mind!
Posted by: Don | February 17, 2011 at 06:33 PM