Dinette gap

[Coleman403]

Hello,
I'm new to these pop ups tents. I have a 2002 Coleman Utah with the slide out dinette, I notices when it's in and the roof is closed up there is a gap on either side of the dinette. I'd say about 1/2". I can see day light through the gap when looking through the door.

My question is, is this normal? Should there be a seal there? Or is there a drain at the bottom to allow water to escape? Sure seems like a lot of water would enter there.

 

[jmkay1]

Can you take a picture as I’m having trouble picturing what you are talking about. I do have a small gap In the corners of the closed stepper door That is normal although stupid design if you ask me. Some people have tried putting weather stripping in the gap by the door I haven’t had weather get in surprisingly. .

 

[PopUpSteve]

I believe there should be a seal strip along the edges of the slid. Due to the age of the camper, those strips may have degraded and/or a previous owner removed them. Not having a slid, I can't be 100% sure but one of our members with a similar unit should chime-in soon.

 

[Coleman403]

Hi all,

Thanks for the comments. Attached are the pictures. I just find it hard to believe water won't enter there.
I have searched for seals but can't find anything.

 

[Dave2514g]

I would visit the local hardware store and pickup some weather stripping that you can apply to the back of the edge/lip of the slide

 

[Coleman403]

Dave2514g,

I was thinking the same thing, I just find it odd how large the gap is. I was hoping see if anyone else has the same gap and if the have a seal or not.

 

[Dave2514g]

I'm wondering if your problems are two-fold.. we have a similar looking slide on our rockwood and the roof edge comes down over the top of the slide. That large gap at the top would be covered then.

Do you have issues getting the roof latches on, or any other symptoms that would lead you the believe that the roof is not fully down?

How is the closed roof gap at the front/back of trailer, any issues there?

 

[jmkay1]

Sadly my camper is currently in storage I can't remember what mine looks like. I know I have a similar gap on the door side which sadly I know was manufacture design so kind of wouldn't surprise me if there was one on the slide out side and I just didn't notice.

 

[PopUpSteve]

@Coleman403 look to see if you have any glue residue, not only on the slide-out, but on the camper sidewall. My thought is that both had a rubber seals on them so, it was rubber seal on rubber seal. I'm thinking that because the gap you described looks a little big for the seal to be on just one side.

 

[PopUpSteve]

@jmkay1 Check your photos. Over the years I've taken photos of just about every square inch of my camper. Maybe you got a shot of your slide without meaning to.

 

[Black taco]

There is supposed to be some weatherstripping that attaches to the slide section so that when the slide is pushed in it seals the slide to the outside of the camper wall. I just replaced mine a couple of months ago, very easy job, don't forget that (at least on mine) there is a small strip that goes on the very bottom of the slide as well. Just buy a roll, clean everything up (all the old tape residue), and stick the new stuff back on. Easy Peasy...

 

[Black taco]

Pictures aren't great and my seal is pulling away, as I think it was 6 or 7 years old. I guess I better run to the store and buy new...

 

[Black taco]

Picture 2 shows where the small piece at the bottom goes, mine has already fallen off

 

[Coleman403]

Thanks everyone. I did notice the seal on the sides and bottom of the slide, just not up at the top.

I went into the RV store here and they said the gaps at the very top are normal and are meant to allow water to drip down to the bottom and drain out. Which, when I look at it that makes sense.

I will however be replacing the seals on the side.