Aluminum Camper Forum

Hey,

You mentioned it is around the perimeter of your rig.

LL used a couple of screws that fastened the walls to the lower perimeter frame. These useless screws just pop out creating a gap from the floor to the walls. Look at the inside to see if there is a gap from the wall to the floor.

It is easy to fix, remove the lower diamond plate trim. Remove old screws, clamp the wall to the frame and use stainless lag bolts to secure. Reassemble. You could try to get some sealant between the frame and wall as well.

I had to do this on numerous spots. No dust and no water after that.

I do have a detailed post somewhere on the forum that shows what I did.

D

Thanks for the feedback Merlin.  Do you recall what you purchased for mudflaps?


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Sure enough, water can get in. A couple years ago a very heavy rain stayed over us all day all the way across Wisconsin and the entire floor under our foam and carpet was soaked. However, that was epic and not the norm. For our 2014 16TBS the main culprit in a normal rain was the wheel wells which I solved shortly after purchase with a tube of silicone pumped into each wheel well. I also installed large mud flaps behind the second axle which help a lot with road spray from the trailer tires. Now, a typical rain doesn't get anything wet inside. For our camper, it would not be possible to install coroplast for the purpose of sealing. There are too many things in the way.


As a side story, we camped last year at an Oregon state park next to a couple with a Lance camper. After a day of hiking, they came back to their camper with water pouring out of every opening, large and small. A faucet had failed and water was several inches deep inside. Now, whenever we leave the camper I turn off the outside water.

Hello Livin' Liters! 

The following appears to be an OEM design problem that would affect all of us....

I have a 2016 CL16TBS trailer.  We have experienced issues with water leaks while driving in rainstorms over the years.  This past week while driving 9 hrs to Petoskey, MI we encountered heavy rain the entire way.  Upon arrival, we had dirty road rainwater inside the entire perimeter of our unit.  A lot.... Had a mobile RV tech look at the underside and indicated because of no underbelly "skin" that OEMs typically use (corrugated plastic) the water will enter the inside through the gaps where the aluminum understructure meets the frame.  Not to mention, water will also enter where screws are exposed - see pic.

Option A:  He said if it was his he would fab a piece of the corrugated plastic and secure it under the entire unit, except for freshwater holding tank,  and that would do the job.  All of the wiring of course is of course is currently exposed.  He would relocate the spare tire under the front of the frame under the propane tank to do this. 

Option B:  thoroughly pressure wash under the frame perimeter, let it thoroughly dry, and then use a sealant in every nook and cranny where the understructure meets the frame.

Has anyone done anything to mitigate this leak issue?  If so, how, and what were the results?  I can imagine the cost of option A will be very, very expensive and if I would ever need to access the wires that would be a big task.  I appreciate any thoughts on this.  My cell is 414-651-1518 if easier to discuss.  Thanks!



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2018 CAMPLITE CL16DBS with "PLATINUM PACKAGE".
Well maintained and lightly used @5,000 miles- we are
the 2nd owners (we bought one year old in 2019).
All original except the addition of roof vent covers,
dual batteries, and an upgraded queen size mattress.
Excellent condition inside and out.
See YouTube.com/watch?v=2qUXEzeweEI for the features and details
of this camper. We are located near Battle Creek Michigan.

2016 Livin Lite CampLite 16TBS For Sale
SOLD! (Phoenix, AZ)
Well-maintained; original owners; no smoking; no pets
Silver Frost exterior color with CampLite graphics package; all-aluminum exterior skin
One-piece all-aluminum roof
Solid all-aluminum plank flooring (covered with vinyl wood plank overlay)
Single axle – two less tires to buy; maneuverable; tows like a dream behind Toyota 4Runner
Sleep like a king!  Your choice:  residential king-size bed or separate into two twin XL beds

OEM Upgrades:
•   OEM XL Living Package (incl.: 13.5K BTU A/C; Dometic 3-way fridge; dual 25lb LP tanks with cover; black tank flush; double-glazed push-out acrylic windows with integrated screens/black-out shades; solid surface kitchen countertop; microwave)
•   OEM Off-Road Package with axle lift and 15-inch tires
•   Fan-Tastic vent fans in bathroom and cabin area

Owner Upgrades:
•   Goodyear Endurance ST 225/75R15 tires with full-size spare (new March 2025)
•   Trailer Valet JX-2K center-mounted manual/drill-powered tongue jack
•   Two twin-size XL memory foam mattresses (push together for a residential king-size bed)
•   Two Fan-Tastic Ultra Breeze roof-top vent covers (allows vents to remain open in rain)
•   RecPro sewer tube mounted under trailer – fits 15 ft Camco RhinoFlex hose and connectors
•   Electrical system upgrades:  Progressive Dynamics PD4045LICSV converter for LiFePO4 12V batteries (original Progressive Dynamics converter for 12V lead acid batteries is also provided to revert to lead acid batteries if desired); pre-wired for 12V LiFePO4 battery connection inside trailer with battery isolator/cut-off switch; 12V battery isolator/cut-off switch on tongue to isolate tongue-mounted battery; external port with MC-4 connectors to allow connecting portable solar panels to trailer 12V system; two isolated electrical outlets pre-wired for 120V inverter; additional USB A/C ports; Honeywell digital thermostat. 
NOTE:  Trailer as offered DOES NOT INCLUDE solar charge controller or 120V inverter – only pre-wiring for these components is included.
•   Cabin upgrades: Caframo Sirocco II 12V interior cabin fan; 19-inch LG TV
•   Dinette upgrades:  upgraded marine table pedestal for dinette table; dimmable LED puck lights mounted on dinette ceiling with remote (requires AAA batteries)
•   Bathroom upgrades: Oxygenics showerhead; multi-bar towel rack; articulated rod for shower curtain
•   Storage upgrades:  glass shelf behind stove; multiple cargo nets; folding coat hooks
•   Smoke & carbon monoxide detectors replaced in 2024; LP gas detector replaced in 2026.

Congratulations!

The trailer just sold. I included a recommendation in my notes to them to check out the forum, so you might see a familiar looking rig in the future...

Thank you Merlin! It was a fun project and I enjoyed sharing, but the kids are all grown up now.

I remember reading all your modification posts many years ago. Someone will be getting a great RV! You were an inspiration to us all.