Seeking advice from any others who have experienced a wet bed head and mattress after driving in rain towing Coromal Element 542 or similar. Have met a couple of people with same problem. Van is 2014, and we bought it one year old. First trip North we drove through heavy rain from Perth to Galena camp and spend the next 2 days drying everything out. After that we had no problems even though we had a few heavy showers when camped. An owner of same van in Geraldton had same problem and sealed up inside the three rivets at top on van front. We did that and then had no more problems until this month. Driving to Denmark through heavy rain we had a wet bed again. Rivets still seem to be sealed well, so not sure if it is front window seal (seems to be secure) or coming in from elsewhere. Our feeling is, water is splashing up from vehicle wheels or rain hitting front of van is being forced upwards, as it is only happening when driving. Van parked in rain all winter with no problems. Any ideas or others experiencing the same?
I had a an old 6 berth 1973 16ft millard for 30 years.Traveled a squillion and no leaks anywhere even when I sold it. Today,it is not the surround or sealing that leaks,it appears that the water is blown up into the window surrounds and enters through the rubber seal of the window.I have tried to replicate this with the hose to no avail but on the road it certainly happens in more modern vans. Seal around the wind out part and the frame with tape and bingo..no leaks. Needless to say that my current van does not have front windows. There have been many ways to stop this leak suggested, but my advice is not to have a front window.
We drove from vic up to Qld and it rained most of the way, we had water ingress through both front windows , ( our van is 6 years old now )I was taking the van into repairer for an other issue .
He suggested removing them as its a common problem with front windows. We like the fresh air over our heads so I took them out and resealed them . had no problem since .
If you cant do it yourself , it was going to cost $800 for the two windows .
coromal are a known leaker, among other things.
Good cheaper vans.
My latest is a 99 model 535.
first thing I did with it. was reseal All roof. wall seams Plus windows.
scrape lotsa old foam out , then reseal into them.
the windows have bad habit of leaking between frame and window glass
as said.
go along top of hinge and make sure you get both ends well covered.
Another thing they like is a good reseal inside wheel arch /walls.
sliding w/dows. Still out on that one.
nice cheap reasonable quality LIGHTLY built vans. that normally
tow well and last.
All vans should be resealed walls and roof every few yrs.
Those blokes who say 20 + yrs and still not leaking.
peel claddingat front corners back. And look at your framework.
might just be surprised.
Thank you to all you experienced travellers. We didnt know leaks were so common! I like the idea of the bib which would protect the front of van from stones etc too. However, we will try resealing and then use the wonderful gaffer tape when driving in rain as extra precaution.
PS.
If you doing roof. go the next step, dig out sealant on seams. reseal with Sika PRO.
get some Heat proof paint, comes in 2 can kit. 3 or 4 layers (2 of each one)
the roof coating is flexible. bounces off 60% of the heat and looks good.
Specially if you fit soalr on top again.
you can leave van out in sun at DArwin (I do) for solar. and it (with a few panels)
comfortably livable in.
I NEVER put my vans in shade.
Roll out one side. Sail track on other side with old rollout
or shade cloth to suit. Van is cool as a house.
plus carport for car/tug under off side shade.
Keeps sun off Aircond outlet/fridge too. Plus. Plus. Plus.
We have outside shower/tut tent too.
fits on side of van under offside rollout.
Real neat.
Plus I have a 15ft 6ish Ausssie Traveller FULL annexe. used 3 times.
Came off Roadstar 6.5mtr offroader.
If anybody wants a swap for a saaaay 14ish ft, (smaller van)
I'll be in on it.
If sealing the windows.
There is a material, comes from Van Dealers.
I use the Roadstar stuff.
A roll of 1\4ish thick 1\2-3\4 wide soft, Sticky,
putty like stuff. (sticky as sh-t.)
Clean all frame\van side of original clag. Acetone. Lay the roll out round frame hole.
I stuck to window frame in area inside the outside edge of moulding.
Offer window up to hole.
Fasten all screws first.
Then like Cylinder head on car.
Take them up alternately till it squeezes out to "Just" the outer edge of frame.
Hi Had a simular problem the water was being blowen thru the 2 locking hooks that come thru the screen to lock window shut,have put a rubber sealing tape around window and it seems to have fixed problem bought the the tape from Bursons,they seem to be the only ones who have it,also the rubber seal around the window was pershied,mike g
Our Van never leaks usually in heavy rain, but one day we drove into torrential rain and wind, and the front portion of the bed got wet,so I guess this happens to most vans with front windows from time to time,as I said it only happened once ,but if were driving into heavy rainfall,we slide the matress back off the wall as a precaution...
Good advice Ron and Mike. We have made a note to put plastic sheeting btween mattress and bed head, and tape up window when driving in heavy rain - doesnt happen too often in the West!
