Wood Rot Hall of Fame Pics

The advice that I give is that you should do a complete reseal on your trailer 7 to 15 years after it's finished if you want to be somewhat sure that your trailer isn't leaking. Remember that until you see something inside you don't know. And once you see it inside the possibility of much more damage between the skins is likely. So as an extra guarantee against leakage the first thing to do is build it right in the first place. Don't skimp when it comes to keeping your trailer sealed. The second thing to do is to protect it. A steel cover large enough to park your trailer under is a very low cost way to do that. And third, depending upon you climate and your storage methods all trailers should be resealed between 7 and 15 years after the date of finish. Just like a house needs a new roof. 

The only other option is indoor storage and not very frequent use in weather.

Even high end trailers like Airstreams develop leaks after time. It's in the usual places around openings such as windows, vents and doors. In the case of an accident they can leak at the riveted seams even. Plastic trailers will leak as well but if there is no wood involved then all you get is mold. Oh goodie... 

I don't always re-seal mine after 7 years; 15 is more realistic. I think storage is SO important. All vintage trailers should be stored under cover. A lean to, metal carport, RV cover or even a tarp is better than nothing. I don't really expect damage from camping. For one thing, a person will notice a leak and mop up. As the trailer is towed, it will shed water.

The two things that damage our trailers the most are sun and the freeze/thaw cycle. Hot sun can fry putty very quickly. Take a look at the putty on an Arizona trailer; much of it is black and hard as a rock. It makes sense to be very careful with a vintage trailer who is in the sun much of the time. I would seek shade.

The freeze/thaw cycle is just as bad. You have a tiny gap in the putty but didn't notice it. When a trailer is stored outside during the winter, moisture enters the tiny gap. The trailer isn't leaking. YET. As it gets colder and finally freezes, the tiny gap enlarges. Repeated many times over, that gap has become large enough to cause a nasty leak.

Debris on the roof can also wreck havoc on a trailer. Pine needles, leaves, that sort of thing. When piled up, they will rot steel or aluminum right thru. Another reason to cover your trailer.

Yes, our trailers can take a beating going down the road. But to me it is SITTING that causes damage. They were designed to travel, so go camping!

Thanks for the detail Vikx and Mobiltec. Pretty much confirms the fact that they are bound to leak, sooner or later, without good and very thorough preventive maintenance periodically. Covering the camper is a great idea and will lengthen the duration between maintenance events.

Getting back to one of my initial questions. Do you disclose this information to a prospective buyer? I'd be concerned that many folks out there might believe the camper will last for a "leak-free" lifetime - kind of like houses and cars. Have you ever had a buyer come back at a later date and complain about their camper leaking?

Just want to prepare myself for that first sale someday...

I wonder if wrapping the outside under the aluminum skin with tar paper? It's just something my husband and I have been rolling around in our heads. That's how you protect a house. Maybe it would be too heavy... IDK.