Well guys, this site seems to be working, the information and advice is leaning towards the caulking joint being the culprit! Decided to call insurance company this morning and let them handle it. I was eager to fix it myself but the what if’s took over! If I fix the slide which I think I could handle, and found serious damage on the wall, which already shows a crack from the plywood swelling, then I would really be in over my head, and my insurance company would do nothing once I touched it. They sent out a contractor today for a look, and his statement was it’s past the point of saving, he had a higher reading with moisture meter on the wall side toward the front cap, 3/4 way up the wall, but no signs of water damage in that area, but I really do not know, that’s the scary situation about it. I asked if I could open the damage up to expose more of the situation and try and see how extensive the damage is before proceeding with claim, they said no, so I said fair enough, it’s in there hands. I will make sure I see everything once slides are removed, etc and post pictures and information as I receive it.

Thanks for the help, if anything it helped me learn something in prevention and meet some nice people

Thanks again
Karl

Karl, glad you pinpointed the source and insurance will help with the fix. I really can’t emphasize enough how surprised I was when the tech showed me that bead of sealant and said how critical it was. Yes Greg, that cosmetic corner piece is it, and it’s not just cosmetic. Also not just the corner but the entire trim along the bottom.

He explained that the trim acts as a barrier for moisture and as that bead of sealant is stretched back and forth from slide activity it will begin to develop small cracks. Water seeps in from rain and wash and has nowhere to go except the slide floor definitely a new maintensnce check for me.

And no silicone. Use the RV sealant, don’t know the product name. But they removed and resealed my joints with the stuff. Will try to ask them tomorrow.

Paul definitely let us know what the material is please. I’d also like to know if it’s translucent. They used clear silicon on my Class A diesel motor coach to not interrupt the full body paint lines. Obviously preventing leaks is more important than cosmetic appeal but if it’s not clear the bead could really be noticeable.

What I have been learning (the hard way) is that the existing sealant is pretty much the same as silicon and I have been losing paint. Looks like I'll have to locate touch up paint as the factory stuff has dried out.

Gip, add/mix in a few drops of lacquer thinner into the touch up paints. Mine had dried a bit & this worked just fine.

What the RW Techs use is: Geocel 2300 MHRV Sealant
It can be purchased online for approx $12 to $15 a Tube

Gip, add/mix in a few drops of lacquer thinner into the touch up paints. Mine had dried a bit & this worked just fine.

Thanks Danny,

I'll give that a try soon.

Thank you Michelle for the brand name on the sealant. FYI during one of the seminars the presenter said silicone is only good on a surface to surface mating. If you use it in a bead it will peel right off. They used that Geocel 2300 all over our coach.

It comes in a variety of colors including clear.

https://www.geocelusa.com/product/2300-mhrv-sealant/

Here is a resource for $8.90 or $6.95 (+24)

https://www.emisupply.com/catalog/geocel-2300-construction-tripolymer-sealant-crystal-clear-cartridge-p-46585.html

Seems legit...

I wonder if there is a difference between the "construction" and "MHRV" version?

So...they put MHRV on the label and charge a whole lot more?

Disregard the recommendation...I found the comparison...Don't use that one. I should have looked first...

https://www.geocelusa.com/product/2300-mhrv-sealant/

https://www.geocelusa.com/product/2300-construction-tripolymer-sealant/

Yes there is a difference. Just researched it today and got an email from Geocell.

The 2300 is made for professional businesses. The tube consumers can buy (exactly the same content as 2300 MHRV is called Pro Flex RV. See letter from Geocell I received earlier today.

Good afternoon,

I was asked to respond to your question regarding the difference between Geocel 2300 MHRV and Geocel 2350 MHRV Sealants.

The Geocel manufacturing plant is located in Elkhart, Indiana, home to the vast majority of recreational vehicle companies in the country. Extensive time has been spent in these plants developing product that meet their requirements.

The 2300 MHRV Sealant is rubber based product that cures by solvent release. When cured, it forms an exceptional strong bond. This product is used primarily on the exterior sidewall of recreational vehicles. The product is thinner than a standard caulking sealant to allow the product to flow into the panel joints. The cure cycle is shortened to allow units to be moved quickly after application. This is combined with a harder surface to reduce dirt pick up.

The 2350 MHRV Sealant is essentially the same technology, but the viscosity of the product is heavier or thicker than your normal caulking sealant. There are applications that require a non-sag, especially for metal cargo trailers.

The product label that is sold through recreational vehicle dealers is Pro Flex RV, the same formulation as 2300 MHRV. The 2300 MHRV and 2350 MHRV are labeled for manufacturing plants and may not be sold at retail.

Hopefully this addresses your question regarding the Geocel MHRV sealants.

Thank you,
Steve

Stephen K. Blacklaw
Product Manager
Geocel Products Group,
A Business Unit of The Sherwin Williams Company
(216) 515-8794 Cell 574-536-6177

All I can tell you is that is the info we took directly off the sealant the Techs were using at last years Rally.

We are at the Rally and spoke to a Redwood Tech this morning. That is how I know.