Leaky Window on 5.0 Single Axel

[Amanda U]

Hi everyone,

We just got our 2013 5.0 used classic- the single axel one- and LOVE it! However, in our first few real rains, we have discovered that the rear/dinette window on the door side leaks. These weren't terribly hard rains but they weren't a gentle misting. I wanted to bring this to the Escape community and see if anyone else has had this issue and if anyone has solution suggestions. Here are some interesting points to consider...

We were warned that the weep holes on that window need to be cleared out often to prevent this issue so after the first rain when we noticed the drip drip drip onto our dinette cushion, we cleared the weep holes. Two/ three days later, more rain and we have water coming in again. We would like a better solution than clearing out the weep holes on that one window all the time. We also aren't sure that clearing out the weep holes really solved the issue the first time.

It looks like the window has been re-sealed (the butyl tape isn't trimmed quite as meticulously as on the other windows) and it looks like someone has put extra sealant on the tops of the windows. It also could have come like that.

The interior by the window doesn't look water damaged or moldy but the previous owner warned us about the tricky window.

We have the framed windows. I'm not sure if this window needs to be replaced or just resealed or if it's a different issue- see next point.

Photo attached isn't our 5.0 camper, but one that looks a lot like it.

[Amanda U]

Here's the window in question circled...

[escape artist]

Hi: Amanda U... U could tow the trailer to an Auto Glass shop and have it looked at by a pro!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Amanda U]

One more thing (went missing in my copy/paste 🤦*♀️)

In the photo you can see the awning stops above the middle of this window. When it rains the awning makes a little gutter along the front of the camper that falls down the side of the camper right over the middle of this window. I know these windows aren’t make to be completely air-tight so maybe it’s the awning and the window is just fine? One solution we’re considering is somehow diverting the water from the awning away from the window….

Anyways, if anyone has had an issue with this window and their awning on a 5.0 it would be nice to hear what solved the issue.

[Amanda U]

Escape Artist- thank you! We might end up doing this.

[Chris R]

Originally Posted by Amanda U

One more thing (went missing in my copy/paste 🤦*♀️)

In the photo you can see the awning stops above the middle of this window. When it rains the awning makes a little gutter along the front of the camper that falls down the side of the camper right over the middle of this window. I know these windows aren’t make to be completely air-tight so maybe it’s the awning and the window is just fine? One solution we’re considering is somehow diverting the water from the awning away from the window….

Anyways, if anyone has had an issue with this window and their awning on a 5.0 it would be nice to hear what solved the issue.

Although we have a 2015 TA, our window does not leak, but is susceptible to water from the awning. I got a couple of feet of adhesive gutter and a placed it just above the window. The gutter can be bent to follow the to edges of the window. It does stop/reduce water running down the trailer wall and into the window .

Depending how handy you are, I would remove the window, clean all the caulking and reseat the window. (and do not use silicone)

[Steve Clark]

Hi Amanda, this is a common problem for many models of Escapes. The combination of roof water and the “gutter” of the awning can overwhelm even clean weep-holes. Water then floods the track and overflows into the trailer. When washing the trailer, or when rain is anticipated, I always tilt the nose of the trailer slightly down, so the roof and awning water run forward and away from that window. Clean the track often, vacuum any debris when dry, and watch the weep-hole to make sure it is functioning!

Good Luck!

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Amanda U

Escape Artist- thank you! We might end up doing this.

Hi: Amanda U... Our 5.0TA has a white sticky I think, rain gutter from the end of the awning to around the end of the window. It's sorta like an eye brow. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[cpaharley2008]

You can also install some "rain gutters" over the windows which will capture and redirect water runoff away.......

[Eggscape]

You can search out different companies that offer this type of rv gutter.

[cpaharley2008]

Thanks Ed, fo the picture link.......

[Amanda U]

Thank you all who replied! We are going to look into the rain guard/gutters for above the window and if it doesn’t totally solve the problem we’ll work on replacing and or re-sealing it.
Thank you!!

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Amanda U

Thank you all who replied! We are going to look into the rain guard/gutters for above the window and if it doesn’t totally solve the problem we’ll work on replacing and or re-sealing it.
Thank you!!

Hi: Amanda U... One trait of the early 5.0's is the fact the awning follows the roof line. It did on our 2007. It doesn't on our 2014 5.0TA. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[emers382]

Alf did you ever notice that at some point they put on a shorter awning. Look at the OP's trailer the front arm is behind the front hatch whereas ours covered the hatch?

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by emers382

Alf did you ever notice that at some point they put on a shorter awning. Look at the OP's trailer the front arm is behind the front hatch whereas ours covered the hatch?

Hi: emers382... Yes... Reace got a lot of flack from the awning supplier. They told him ETI was just too small and didn't buy enough product to get custom pieces. They stopped putting the second bend to the arms so ETI had to lower the upper height of the awnings. Then the length of the awnings changed too. Meant the anchor points had to be moved also. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Doug2000]

I'm not sure if this applies. On our 2007 17B, the rubber seal dried out on one of the fixed windows at the front. I pulled the seal and the glass and re installed it with black silicon. Actually it was automotive gasket sealant, it worked great and looked like the original seal. I'm not familiar with your awning windows but it could be a dried out rubber seal.