I got my first caravan last year 1994 Fleetwood, and had similar problems. I have just re-built the front of my caravan, and luckily, it is not too difficult. Before removing the seals, a word of warning. You may be shocked to see the mess under there if it has been leaking for some time. The underlying frame may be rotten. I landed out with re-building everything under the front plastic skin.
Before you start, check out the "Fixed it club". The Wizzard's web pages give you everything that you need to know in detail with photos, and is about the best manual that you will find anywhere! just click the link - http://hp-h.com/p/wizard41/
Check out the window reseal page...
http://hp-h.com/p/wizard41/Windowreseal.html......but I don't recommend propping up the windows with a brush, if the window falls down, it may be costly to get a replacement! It would be better, and not that difficult to remove the windows, and re-seal the rail while you are at it.. Also check the other fixed-it-club members pages at the bottom of wizards page for more info and photos, and you will see that others have fixed much worse!
You would be best to do this job under cover if you can, or at least have a large tarpaulin and some duck tape handy to cover the front of the van if it rains.
To remove the rubber, take off the carches and stays, then remove the white insert from inside. This will expose the staples. Carefully remove these, and the rubber comes out. Clean up the old rubber with white spirit (I hope that there is no silicone on there as it is a pig to get off!), and put back in, with the reverse procedure.
The sealant you are looking for is Sikaflex 512 - Caravan sealant, but I used the stuff in a roll which works well. But make sure that you get it between the plastic front panel and the rubber seal.
I hope to add my photos to a webpage at some point as my thanks go out to wizard and the fixed it club. They gave me the confidence to have a go, and the front of my van is now like new.....in fact, probably better than it was when it was new.
It really is not that hard to do, just time consuming and tricky to keep the rain out if you don't have a barn, and if you want a job done right you have to Do It Yourself!!
Good luck
Post last edited on 08/05/2007 12:16:23
Post last edited on 08/05/2007 12:18:48
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Topic: Help - do I have to take the windows out?
