Leaking around velcro window

[IDPaddler]

I've got a 2022 Hawk. I'm getting water in through the velcro windows when rig is stored on the side of the house and top is down. Only on the front two windows. Usually after a bit of snow has melted, but also with rain. I've also had leaks when driving though rain. It seems as if the water is getting under the roof and tracking to the velcro windows (which are obviously not waterproof) then slowing leaking in which leaves my bed damp.

There is quite the gap between the outer portion of the roof and the base it's suppose to be covering. In fact I can see the vinyl. it makes sense that water could make its way in there.

I've seen some similar posts and some thoughts on how to remedy. I'm curious how common is this issue?

Yesterday I put some automotive weather stripping around the front corners and over the front windows. Seems to fill in the gap but it was harder to close the top. I had to loosen the roof latches quite a bit to get them to close. We'll see if it helps.

 

[IDPaddler]

So nearly 100 views but no replies. Am I to take it that my leaky issues are not common? I guess I’d hope not given the absurd cost of these campers. IMO it’s nonsense that I’m dealing with this.

If anyone has any suggestions I’m all ears. In the meantime I’ll leave the additional weather stripping in place to see if it helps.

 

[rjap]

I have not had my Hawk long enough to know if this is an issue. The roof edge does come down and overlap the base, but there is a gap. The gap is bigger near the front.

There looks to be an additional seal at the front. Does your Hawk have this?

I would say it is a wind driven water problem and may depend on the airflow around your home or particular vehicle.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

It happens, sometimes intermittently. Wind can blow water under the lip of the roof, where it then runs down the exterior of the canvas. When it encounters the Velcro, it can seep through the Velcro and/or stitching.

Some people seam seal the stitching. You’ll want to ensure the roof is tightened to what is recommended by the builder. On my ATC, with roof down and latched, the lip of the latch should not move side to side by hand. Press the roof down slightly, and the latch should be able to move.

Ask FWC for their recommendations.

 

[Jon&Sue_DeArman]

Check to make sure the Screen is Dry after your last trip before you drop the top for the last time for storage. The Screen acts like a sponge and will soak up water.

 

[craig333]

Mine are a much older design with storm flaps on the outside.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Mine are a much older design with storm flaps on the outside.

I am an advocate of storm flaps. ATC campers all come with storm flaps, and mine are always in or on the camper.

 

[Vic Harder]

My camper design is old enough to have this issue, because I prefer to use the camper without the supplied outside storm covers. Yours is way too new to have this problem, and has a newer/improved corner stitching design.

And no, it is not a common problem.

Can you replicate the problem? I needed a helper to run the garden hose over the camper until I could see where the water was coming in. Then I figured out the solution. It may not be the window. I have also had water penetration coming in only while driving. So that needed a lot of pressure on the hose to replicate. The 1" wide black trim around the cabover section has screws under it. Sealing that 1" trim strip or the screws under it helped immensely.

Is your camper still under warranty? Are you close to the factory?

P.S. These campers retain their value because a water leak like this does NOT ruin the camper framing.

 

[IDPaddler]

I have not had my Hawk long enough to know if this is an issue. The roof edge does come down and overlap the base, but there is a gap. The gap is bigger near the front.

There looks to be an additional seal at the front. Does your Hawk have this?

I would say it is a wind driven water problem and may depend on the airflow around your home or particular vehicle.

Thanks. Sounds like my roof edge overlap is similar to yours. It also has the seal like yours. First noticed when driving through a bad rain storm. That could have been wind driven. But recently has happened when being stored on the side of the house after some snow melt. So it's tracking in somehow.

It happens, sometimes intermittently. Wind can blow water under the lip of the roof, where it then runs down the exterior of the canvas. When it encounters the Velcro, it can seep through the Velcro and/or stitching.

Some people seam seal the stitching. You’ll want to ensure the roof is tightened to what is recommended by the builder. On my ATC, with roof down and latched, the lip of the latch should not move side to side by hand. Press the roof down slightly, and the latch should be able to move.

Ask FWC for their recommendations.

I figured it was seeping through the velcro but maybe it's the stitching as well. I'll seam seal it. Thanks.

Check to make sure the Screen is Dry after your last trip before you drop the top for the last time for storage. The Screen acts like a sponge and will soak up water.

It was dry when I last put it away. So it has happened after a light snow load melting and some rain. Somehow it go in there and seeped in through the window. Annoying as can be.

My camper design is old enough to have this issue, because I prefer to use the camper without the supplied outside storm covers. Yours is way too new to have this problem, and has a newer/improved corner stitching design.

And no, it is not a common problem.

Can you replicate the problem? I needed a helper to run the garden hose over the camper until I could see where the water was coming in. Then I figured out the solution. It may not be the window. I have also had water penetration coming in only while driving. So that needed a lot of pressure on the hose to replicate. The 1" wide black trim around the cabover section has screws under it. Sealing that 1" trim strip or the screws under it helped immensely.

Is your camper still under warranty? Are you close to the factory?

P.S. These campers retain their value because a water leak like this does NOT ruin the camper framing.

Vic:
- I have not tried to replicate the problem. I'll get the hose out when it warms up a bit.
- In the meantime I'll seal the trim and screws under the cabover section. What would you recommend sealing it with?
- Prolly still under warranty but not close to the factory. That would be a day's drive.
- I'm glad it isn't know to ruin the framing. Biggest issue is looking forward to climbing into bed only to find wet spots! IMO that is not cool at all.

 

[AWG_Pics]

Our 2019 Hawk is stored outside, on the street. No water intrusion, yet, in stormy rainy Portland Oregon.

 

[Vic Harder]

cold and wet is no fun at all. Seal with 3m 4200. Dicor Lapseal is good, but it is runny and would not work on vertical surfaces. Just don't use plain old silicone... it leaves a film that is hard to clean off and prevents future seals from sticking.

 

[Darko_Marko]

I’ve battled some of this recently, here are my suggestions:

- The leaking while driving may be that front rubber seal deforming where the closed roof compresses down to the main body. Check to see if it looks crimped or torn, etc.
- When you close the camper, keep the rear door open, lower each end VERY slowly, using the bungees to pull the sides in.
- Before you clamp down the latches, lift EACH corner of the roof enough to check for a misfolded section of the vinyl wall. Smooth out any vinyl in the corner areas that can prevent a 100% flat seal when closed.
- Latch tight enough that there is only a little movement downward when latched you pull down with you fingers on the roof edge.
- Check ALL of the screws on the black trim around the roof. Some are probably loose or have little to no sealant inside. I removed and resealed them all.
- Check the sealant all along the joint where the roof panel turns downward to that black trim strip on the roof edge, for cracks or drying.
- Perhaps also add sealer to each of the upper roof latch points, they can pull outward a bit when tightened down.

All of this has been successful for me, no more 2-3 cups of water coming in when closed and parked in heavy rains.

Let me know if any questions? Good luck, you’ll get it!