We had this exact leak you describe only in hard rain over the toilet in the bath (27FB), and the Airstream Factory folks removed the 6 inch angle board behind the toilet to reveal that the black tank vent PVC that runs down behind this board had become disconnected from the vent at the very top. Makes sense that only hard rain would make it into that raised vent, but then not drain properly to the tank. They reconnected it and sealed it up good to stop the leak. I recommend you check this.
Thank you for the info. I did check this a few months back but didnt include it in this video. I appreciate the note and allowing us to be a part of your day.
We had a leak in both areas of the toilet fan and the shower fan in our 2022 Flying Could. The leak traveled to the ac vent in the toilet area. We purchased our unit slightly used from a private sale so we didn’t get the full walk around delivery tour. Fortunately, we were still under warranty so we took the camper to a local Airstream dealer and they replaced the fan vent seal that partially blew out while traveling with the vents in the open position- something we didn’t know not to do. After the vent seals were replaced we never had a leak again. Thanks for all the great info you share!
Hello! Thank you for replying and sharing your insight. Thankfully, the vent fans in the bath/shower on the 2023 models are much better than those of a few years ago. We had that on our previous Airstream and replaced that foam seal a few times.
Thank you! I addressed some viewer feedback on this video last week if you're interested. Many had issues with their black tank vent pipe causing a very similar leak.
We had water entering our bathroom along the exact same seam. Added additional caulking around the max air fan (on the roof) and it still leaked during the next rainstorm. Climbed back up and removed the caulking from the black tank vent. Found some hairline cracks around 3 of the 4 screws. Replaced the 360 siphon vent, re-caulked, and the leak has stopped.
Hi Brad, hope the leak has been fixed. If not, we had the exact same roof leak in our 27FB. It was from improper installation of the Black Tank vent as other viewers have mentioned. I replaced both vents (Black & Gray tank) on the roof and made a video of the repair about a 1 1/2 yr ago. Good luck and safe travels Rick & Lisa The Wright Life
Hi Rick, Thank you very much for the info. Im going to do a follow up video on this one soon. I checked that vent fan from inside the bath and determined it was hooked up properly months ago. I put a rubber seal on that pipe before I even took possession of it. The sealant on the roof of both vent fans is fine. After a thorough leak check after the caulking on the panel was replaced, I have no issues. This is a very common issue though.
You mentioned that the roof panels on the 2024 models were different….can you go into more detail about that please? Are they less likely to leak? Great content as always Brad! We alway learn so much from you videos. Thanks a ton for sharing your expertise.
They are different on the inside of the rig because of the new GE A/C. I talked about it in a video a few weeks back on how to pick the right rig for you.
Makes sense also that it was the non OEM solar panel install. Yours is a fairly new rig and I think Airstream does a pretty extensive spray test on them before they leave the factory. Always learn a lot from your videos. Your problem solving skills are excellent! What sealant was used on the foot?
Hi. We had a leak that was finally tracked down to the vent pipe not being sealed well from the factory. It was a slow drip, only when raining. Drip was coming through the interior skin overlap. Like yours. Water was running down the pipe inside and the dripping off the pipe onto the panel. (Your neighbor at Alumilina.)
X2 CoyoteGo, I found the exact same thing on our 2019 Globetrotter. The plastic funnel in the vent needs to be glued into the top part. Otherwise water can go around the funnel and down into the trailer next to the stack pipe. The manufacturer of the vent states that’s how it should be done. For some reason Airstream continues to drop the funnel into the stack. If there’s a gap between the pipe and the trailer water will leak inside. Posted this fix on AirForums years ago. We were at Alumalina too but didn’t get a chance to meet up!
Ive seen the fix. I believe the reason for it not fully connected is for flexing of the roof as you move around. Also, some of it to ease construction of the furniture inside. Ours was sitting in the pipe fine but not glued in like the rest. I put a rubber ring to connect them firmly but allow flex.
The Airstream person installing the vent cap must glue the internal funnel-shaped pipe to the vent screen in accordance with the vent instructions by Lippert Mfg. This step at Airstream is often omitted and not all the rainwater goes down the vent pipe, some go around the exterior of the vent pipe and through the roof foam gasket into the interior ceiling.
The factory screws them in. This is why I did the same when adding that 4th panel. Many of my good friends have used 3M tape and it works great. It depends on the person, how many panels you want to add, what type of panel, etc.
I put a rubber gasket between the foot and the roof when I installed it. I dont want to pull the panel off to redo that. This new sealant has worked like a champ.
We had this exact leak you describe only in hard rain over the toilet in the bath (27FB), and the Airstream Factory folks removed the 6 inch angle board behind the toilet to reveal that the black tank vent PVC that runs down behind this board had become disconnected from the vent at the very top. Makes sense that only hard rain would make it into that raised vent, but then not drain properly to the tank. They reconnected it and sealed it up good to stop the leak. I recommend you check this.
Thank you for the info. I did check this a few months back but didnt include it in this video. I appreciate the note and allowing us to be a part of your day.
We had a leak in both areas of the toilet fan and the shower fan in our 2022 Flying Could. The leak traveled to the ac vent in the toilet area. We purchased our unit slightly used from a private sale so we didn’t get the full walk around delivery tour. Fortunately, we were still under warranty so we took the camper to a local Airstream dealer and they replaced the fan vent seal that partially blew out while traveling with the vents in the open position- something we didn’t know not to do. After the vent seals were replaced we never had a leak again. Thanks for all the great info you share!
Hello! Thank you for replying and sharing your insight. Thankfully, the vent fans in the bath/shower on the 2023 models are much better than those of a few years ago. We had that on our previous Airstream and replaced that foam seal a few times.
Glad you found the leak! Good information to know.
Thank you! I addressed some viewer feedback on this video last week if you're interested. Many had issues with their black tank vent pipe causing a very similar leak.
We had water entering our bathroom along the exact same seam. Added additional caulking around the max air fan (on the roof) and it still leaked during the next rainstorm. Climbed back up and removed the caulking from the black tank vent. Found some hairline cracks around 3 of the 4 screws. Replaced the 360 siphon vent, re-caulked, and the leak has stopped.
Glad you got it sorted out! Thanks for letting us know.
Hi Brad, hope the leak has been fixed. If not, we had the exact same roof leak in our 27FB. It was from improper installation of the Black Tank vent as other viewers have mentioned. I replaced both vents (Black & Gray tank) on the roof and made a video of the repair about a 1 1/2 yr ago. Good luck and safe travels
Rick & Lisa
The Wright Life
Hi Rick,
Thank you very much for the info. Im going to do a follow up video on this one soon. I checked that vent fan from inside the bath and determined it was hooked up properly months ago. I put a rubber seal on that pipe before I even took possession of it. The sealant on the roof of both vent fans is fine. After a thorough leak check after the caulking on the panel was replaced, I have no issues. This is a very common issue though.
You mentioned that the roof panels on the 2024 models were different….can you go into more detail about that please? Are they less likely to leak? Great content as always Brad! We alway learn so much from you videos. Thanks a ton for sharing your expertise.
They are different on the inside of the rig because of the new GE A/C. I talked about it in a video a few weeks back on how to pick the right rig for you.
Makes sense also that it was the non OEM solar panel install. Yours is a fairly new rig and I think Airstream does a pretty extensive spray test on them before they leave the factory. Always learn a lot from your videos. Your problem solving skills are excellent! What sealant was used on the foot?
Thanks for watching and the feedback! I used AdSeal, same as Airstream uses at the factory. And you’re correct, the leak check they do is legit!
Hi. We had a leak that was finally tracked down to the vent pipe not being sealed well from the factory. It was a slow drip, only when raining. Drip was coming through the interior skin overlap. Like yours. Water was running down the pipe inside and the dripping off the pipe onto the panel. (Your neighbor at Alumilina.)
Hello! Great to hear from you. Thank you for the info. I check this months ago and it was good.
X2 CoyoteGo, I found the exact same thing on our 2019 Globetrotter. The plastic funnel in the vent needs to be glued into the top part.
Otherwise water can go around the funnel and down into the trailer next to the stack pipe.
The manufacturer of the vent states that’s how it should be done. For some reason Airstream continues to drop the funnel into the stack. If there’s a gap between the pipe and the trailer water will leak inside.
Posted this fix on AirForums years ago. We were at Alumalina too but didn’t get a chance to meet up!
@@jeffmc306 Planning on being at Alumilina this year again.
We don’t know where we will at that time but we will be at the National Rally this year though.
Ive seen the fix. I believe the reason for it not fully connected is for flexing of the roof as you move around. Also, some of it to ease construction of the furniture inside. Ours was sitting in the pipe fine but not glued in like the rest. I put a rubber ring to connect them firmly but allow flex.
The Airstream person installing the vent cap must glue the internal funnel-shaped pipe to the vent screen in accordance with the vent instructions by Lippert Mfg. This step at Airstream is often omitted and not all the rainwater goes down the vent pipe, some go around the exterior of the vent pipe and through the roof foam gasket into the interior ceiling.
I will address this in a follow up video to show this. I did inspect this when I got the rig and again after this leak started and they were fine.
did you think about putting the caulk under the solar panel foot and driving the screw through the caulk?
I did do that when I installed the panel.
I have seen people add a solar panel with just 3M tape and sealant, and also those who fasten it down. What is the consensus?
The factory screws them in. This is why I did the same when adding that 4th panel. Many of my good friends have used 3M tape and it works great. It depends on the person, how many panels you want to add, what type of panel, etc.
Maybe put buytl tape on the part of the bracket that meets up with the roof then apply sealant?
I put a rubber gasket between the foot and the roof when I installed it. I dont want to pull the panel off to redo that. This new sealant has worked like a champ.
Good reason to 3m tape your solar panels on.
Agree! I just matched this panel to the factory ones. It was an easy fix.