Our Trailer is leaking -- Suggestions?

For any discussion about the club as an organization
Loren Williams
Forum Admin
Drives: A Mirage
User avatar
Location:
Safety Harbor
Joined: December 2006
Posts: 13044
First Name: Loren
Last Name: Williams
Favorite Car: A Mirage
Location: Safety Harbor

Our Trailer is leaking -- Suggestions?

Postby Loren » Tue Feb 25, 2014 12:01 am

We discovered that with recent rains, our trailer is leaking a little bit. Not too badly, but we should take care of it.

First thing we noticed was that most of it appears to be getting past the door seals, particularly in the rear. I took a photo of the corner of one of those doors so we'll know what we're dealing with. (see below)

Looks like the top corner of one of the windows could be leaking, as well. Can probably fix that with some silicone sealant.

The door seals... I guess just scrape off the old seals and replace them? Anyone with experience on such door seals? Maybe use a thicker seal?
TRL_Doorseal.jpg
TRL_Doorseal.jpg (97.26 KiB) Viewed 4400 times
Loren Williams - Loren @ Invisiblesun.org
The "Push Harder, Suck Less" philosophy explained:
Push Harder - Drive as close to the limit of your tires as possible.
Suck Less - Drive something resembling a proper racing line.
Doug Adams
Notorious
Drives: 2004 RX-8
User avatar
Location:
Spring Hill
Joined: April 2011
Posts: 4105
First Name: Doug
Last Name: Adams
Favorite Car: 2004 RX-8
Location: Spring Hill

Re: Our Trailer is leaking -- Suggestions?

Postby twistedwankel » Tue Feb 25, 2014 8:52 pm

Racer Tape will fix anything.
---------- ----------
Notorious
Drives: Whatever has more miles than anything on the grid
User avatar
Location:
Just within reach of storm surge
Joined: December 2006
Posts: 2308
First Name: ----------
Last Name: ----------
Favorite Car: Whatever has more miles than anything on the grid
Location: Just within reach of storm surge

Re: Our Trailer is leaking -- Suggestions?

Postby Jamie » Tue Feb 25, 2014 10:36 pm

Yes, but if you tape the door shut, Ron won't have anyplace to work his timing magic...where will I get my two sympathy seconds then?

I can't see a seal in the picture, but I think some rubber door seal should do it. I think I have some left here from fixing the kitchen door...will try and remember to bring it with me Saturday.
Jamie
'01 Miata, '92 Prelude Si, '88 Alpina B10/3.5, '63 Suburban
Speed Demon Racing
Loren Williams
Forum Admin
Drives: A Mirage
User avatar
Location:
Safety Harbor
Joined: December 2006
Posts: 13044
First Name: Loren
Last Name: Williams
Favorite Car: A Mirage
Location: Safety Harbor

Re: Our Trailer is leaking -- Suggestions?

Postby Loren » Tue Feb 25, 2014 11:23 pm

Here's a cropped and brightened version of that photo.

Looks like it was probably an 1/8" thick foam seal that's now mashed to 1/16" and deteriorated in a few places. Plus the door edge is a little banged up and bent.
TRL_Doorseal2.jpg
TRL_Doorseal2.jpg (290.09 KiB) Viewed 4372 times
Loren Williams - Loren @ Invisiblesun.org
The "Push Harder, Suck Less" philosophy explained:
Push Harder - Drive as close to the limit of your tires as possible.
Suck Less - Drive something resembling a proper racing line.
Brian K-
Notorious
Drives: 1991 Nissan 240 SX
User avatar
Location:
St. Petersburg
Joined: February 2007
Posts: 2081
First Name: Brian
Last Name: K-
Favorite Car: 1991 Nissan 240 SX
Location: St. Petersburg

Re: Our Trailer is leaking -- Suggestions?

Postby Solar » Wed Feb 26, 2014 10:21 am

I did some work for Dixie Trailer, really good people. I'm sure if I could get a measurement or even a small piece of it, maybe off the lower part of the door, they could set us up. They fab trailers of every type, and do repairs as well, might be easier just to drop the trailer off there and have them do it. They're not far from the barn, basically US19 and 118th Ave.
Brian K
1991 Nissan 240SX Class: "I HAVE NO"
"Is it weird in here, or is it just me?" - Stephen Wright
Loren Williams
Forum Admin
Drives: A Mirage
User avatar
Location:
Safety Harbor
Joined: December 2006
Posts: 13044
First Name: Loren
Last Name: Williams
Favorite Car: A Mirage
Location: Safety Harbor

Re: Our Trailer is leaking -- Suggestions?

Postby Loren » Wed Feb 26, 2014 11:42 am

Having them do it would turn a $40 repair into a $240 repair, I'm sure.

I think due to the age of the trailer and the doors not fitting quite like they used to, fitting some weatherstripping that's a little thicker than what's there now would be the hot ticket. If Dixie Trailer has "the right stuff" at a reasonable price, we'll certainly buy it from them.
Loren Williams - Loren @ Invisiblesun.org
The "Push Harder, Suck Less" philosophy explained:
Push Harder - Drive as close to the limit of your tires as possible.
Suck Less - Drive something resembling a proper racing line.
Brian K-
Notorious
Drives: 1991 Nissan 240 SX
User avatar
Location:
St. Petersburg
Joined: February 2007
Posts: 2081
First Name: Brian
Last Name: K-
Favorite Car: 1991 Nissan 240 SX
Location: St. Petersburg

Re: Our Trailer is leaking -- Suggestions?

Postby Solar » Wed Feb 26, 2014 3:58 pm

Sounds like you want to go the universal weather strip way from Home Depot, which will probably work. I've never had much luck with fixing leaky car doors, so I'm always partial having someone do it. I'm going to be over that way next week, I will measure the doors Saturday and see if they can set us up.
Brian K
1991 Nissan 240SX Class: "I HAVE NO"
"Is it weird in here, or is it just me?" - Stephen Wright
Loren Williams
Forum Admin
Drives: A Mirage
User avatar
Location:
Safety Harbor
Joined: December 2006
Posts: 13044
First Name: Loren
Last Name: Williams
Favorite Car: A Mirage
Location: Safety Harbor

Re: Our Trailer is leaking -- Suggestions?

Postby Loren » Wed Feb 26, 2014 4:18 pm

The stuff that the trailer came with is universal. Nothing like a car door seal.

Sent from my phone. Expect more errors than usual!
Loren Williams - Loren @ Invisiblesun.org
The "Push Harder, Suck Less" philosophy explained:
Push Harder - Drive as close to the limit of your tires as possible.
Suck Less - Drive something resembling a proper racing line.
Andrew Lachance
Noob
Drives: 91 Miatas
User avatar
Location:
largo
Joined: November 2012
Posts: 48
First Name: Andrew
Last Name: Lachance
Favorite Car: 91 Miatas
Location: largo

Re: Our Trailer is leaking -- Suggestions?

Postby 92mx-5 » Wed Feb 26, 2014 11:17 pm

foam stuff is sold at walmart home depot lowes all of the above... i might even have some around the house.
Doug Adams
Notorious
Drives: 2004 RX-8
User avatar
Location:
Spring Hill
Joined: April 2011
Posts: 4105
First Name: Doug
Last Name: Adams
Favorite Car: 2004 RX-8
Location: Spring Hill

Re: Our Trailer is leaking -- Suggestions?

Postby twistedwankel » Fri Feb 28, 2014 7:56 pm

Caulk. Or racer's tape can fix anything.

Geezus if I get bored I'll go out there and just tape it all up for a good laugh.

No rain predicted for 4 days.

I use that black rubber crap in a tube to fluff up all my crap gaskets that are torn and 25 years old. It always works. It's like magic.

Return to “FAST Related”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest