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Topic: How to stop water getting in a trailer

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WeeAlD

via mobile 04/7/2020 at 7:45pm
Location: Glasgow
Outfit: Airgo horizon 4 tent

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When we used a metal trailer, one of the reasons we had water ingress was from underneath, with water being splashed up when towing in heavy rain and wet roads.
You can try and seal every joint or equally effective is to apply a thick layer of automotive underseal.
I took the second option and sorted out the problem.

olliewills

via mobile 04/7/2020 at 9:39pm
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I didn't try spraying water up from underneath actually do that might end up being another thing, but for now what I've witnessed is water getting in through the joints, mainly at the side extensions. I suppose I shouldn't complain too much as I chose to have the extra height.

Originally I was expecting to go with an Erde or daxara and would have been building it myself from flat pack. Had that been the case I would have added rubber seals/silicone at every point. I guess I'll just have to take it apart at some point and go that route. For the time being I'll use the tarp trick and wrap up the contents.

The main thing is to get all of our essential family belongings to France when we move there in a couple of weeks time. After that I should have better weather and a garage to be able to do more to the trailer!

ENOCH

via mobile 05/7/2020 at 7:19am
Location: TEESSIDE
Outfit: SWIFT FAIRWAY 530

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When I refitted the various parts back to the trailer the only bolts I renewed were the ones for the floor, galvanised roof bolts. I did not replace any washers and tightened everything to what I considered to be right without any specific torque setting. I did not need to do any riveting as the panels are bolted to the corner posts. We use the trailer to take our tackle to fishing venues, I have no concerns that water can get in and wet the beds, sleeping bags and tackle.

olliewills

via mobile 06/7/2020 at 1:54pm
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Thanks ENOCH. I'll source some roof bolts before I start the job but it looks like that's the best way forward, though I'm not sure when I'll get to it. For the immediate future I've bought a 5x4m heavy duty tarp and I'll use that to wrap everything up and then strap it all in place.

lidds0

via mobile 08/7/2020 at 4:21pm
Location: Yorkshire
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Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 03/7/2020
Water ingress was not an issue for me when I had my Brenderup 1105s, except when I was travelling against heavy rain for a couple of hours.

I noticed a small puddle inside the trailer when I was unloading it once I arrived at the site. A quick mop with some kitchen towel and it was dried in no time.

When I was looking to purchase another brand of trailer, the advice I was given about how to make it water tight, was to use silicone sealant at the joints etc...

I did not bother, and it had been fine except for that one trip.

DK

That's just what I was about to say (silicone sealant, applied with a cartridge gun).

We started off with a Brenderup 1205s with ABS lid, then added extra sides and changed the lid to a flat hardtop with gallery rails. We found it wasn't watertight.

We then got an Anssems and it didn't let a drop of water in.

Then had a TT for a while, then a caravan and now back to tent, so we've just ordered a new Anssems (collect this weekend).

chatterdog

18/7/2020 at 12:12pm
Location: cheshire
Outfit: Coachmen Mirada 300qb. American RV

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a rubber seal like what is found around car/caravan doors, supple enough to follow contours of the panels, maybe a strip arounnd lid and a strip around the body panels if the gaps are big

olliewills

via mobile 18/7/2020 at 12:55pm
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Thanks all. As soon as time allows I'll strip the trailer down and use a combination of sealant and rubber seals to close up the worst of the gaps. As I say, I didn't buy the trailer with the expectation of it being totally watertight and I'm not trying to make it into a mobile swimming pool or anything. Some of the gaps are large though and it lets water in even at a standstill, so it'd be good to minimise that at least. If it still let's some in during storms or while driving into heavy rain, then so be it.

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