RV builder claims automation virtually eliminates window leaks

If you've been an RVer for much time, you know that leaks are the bane of your rig. Roof leaks are one thing, but one that seems to haunt all of us are leaks that spring from windows. Water can slide its way past seals and infiltrate the sidewalls of our rigs and the prognosis from there is usually ugly.

What's the problem with window seals? It often comes down to the human equation. When a window is installed on a production line, two types of sealant are used. First the window edges are dressed all around with what RVers commonly call "putty tape," a sticky flat tape that sandwiches between the window flange and the RV's sidewall. Since most RV windows have not square corners, but rather, "radius curves" it's really difficult to put the tape on evenly when making a corner. Gaps can occur.

To help backstop the integrity (or lack of it) of the tape, after installing the window, the manufacturer will typically add a bead of some sort of sealant all around the window on the outside edge. This too, is done "by hand," and with that old imperfect human hand doing the job, the sealant may not always go on in a uniform way.

Fast forward to the real world of bumps, jarring, and extremes of temperature on the road. The inner seal twixt window and sidewall, and that "band aid" approach with the outer seal. A little flexing here, a bit of expansion there, a nice rainstorm, and sure enough, water infiltration – an RV's worst enemy – has come.

So we read with interest a news release from Open Range RV, a fifth wheel and travel trailer manufacturer out of Indiana, says it has the answer to leaky window seals: Remove the human hand and automate it. Using a "semi-robotic" seal system built by Dicor Corporation, instead of putty tape, a mechanized system applies a hot melt sealant with a robotic arm. Once the window is in place, the need for that secondary, outside "cap seal" is eliminated.

Open Range officials maintain that their new sealing system, "showed consistent, near perfect test results over the course of hundreds of windows a day." It adds they'll be using the same system to put sealant around entry doors and hatches.

If the system works out, you can be sure other RV builders will be looking to Dicor to acquire and use the same system. For the rest of us end uses, however, we'll still have to rely on those human hands, either our own, or those of the local RV shop, when it comes to renewing seals.

RV forever warranty may give you peace of mind

A perusal of most any RV Internet forum shows RV shoppers want to know how well a given motorhome or travel trailer holds up under the stresses of use. It's understandable, because even when you buy a 'brand new RV,' the issues of what part of the RV is warranted and for how long are deep and murky water, at best. A motorhome chassis will be warranted by the manufacturer for a given time; but if the refrigerator breaks, you're stuck heading back to the 'fridge builder; the same is true for the dozens of other components.

Imagine buying a brand new RV and having many of its systems warranted – for life. It appears you won't have to imagine that, because a new warranty program for RVs hopes to offer just that through dealers across the country. Dubbed the RV Warranty Forever program, this new innovation will allow a few, select RV dealers to offer the forever warranty to buyers at no cost to the purchaser.

Of course, the savvy RV shopper is already asking, "What few things are covered, and what's the fine print?" The fine print is fairly straight-forward: The original customer is covered for as long as they own the unit, provided they follow the maintenance schedule included with the program.

Now as to what's covered. Here's the list of covered systems and components:

Suspension
Brakes
Water System
Heating and Air Conditioning
Kitchen Center
LP Gas System
Manual Leveling Jacks

As impressive as the list is, there's plenty of uncovered country. Electrical systems can be a real issue when things don't work right. And as nice as it would be, it would seem that motorhome drivetrain components would likely be left out. Look the list over carefully, then using your experience and that of other RVers, you can probably see where there may be some significant gaps you'd be concerned about.

Despite some shortcomings, the covered list is fairly impressive, provided the dealers that offer the program don't so significantly bump up the sales price of the rig that it negates the warm, fuzzy feeling you'll get buying a "lifetime warranty" unit. Since the program is extremely limited, in terms of how many dealers will offer it, there could be room for footsy. When we say, "extremely limited," the issuing company says you probably won't find more than four dealers in a state that offer the program, and in some states, as few as a single authorized dealer. Program promoters hope to have all their dealerships set up and running the program by year-end – with a total of 75 to 80 dealers.

Not in the market for a new rig? "Gently used," rigs within two years of manufacture are also accepted under the plan, when sold by authorized dealers.

Want to know more? A full list of the specific system components, what constitutes required owner maintenance, and more are listed on the program website.

Tour a motorcoach assembly line -- without leaving home

Motorhome manufacturer, Thor, recently opened a new facility in Wakarusa, Indiana. They'd love for everyone to come and tour the plant, but that's not practical for all of us. In lieu of a hands-on tour, they've released a nine minute video that shows you how they put their motorhomes together. Even if you're not in the market for a new Thor unit, it is a fascinating glimpse into RV assembly.