Jayco roof leak

[Bearcatrp]

Go find a repair shop that specializes in RV repair. Get away from stealerships. My dealer wanted $450.00 to repack bearings on my RV (2 axles). A dealer I dealt with years back wanted $600. Found a reputable repair shop that did the for $75 per axle. They have been around for many years. Good luck.

 

[dodge3500]

Not all AC's mount as has been described. Ducted return models do not have an interior grill for the mounting bolts. On units with ducted returns the AC is bolted to the roof from above with lag bolts or screws holding it in place. I have a 2022 Mesa Ridge that the AC's are bolted to the roof from above. There are 2 clips in the front and 2 bolts just behind the blower assembly.

 

[Rene T]

Not all AC's mount as has been described. Ducted return models do not have an interior grill for the mounting bolts. On units with ducted returns the AC is bolted to the roof from above with lag bolts or screws holding it in place. I have a 2022 Mesa Ridge that the AC's are bolted to the roof from above. There are 2 clips in the front and 2 bolts just behind the blower assembly.

Thank you Mark. That’s good to know. Also read my post #2

 

[Kirk]

On units with ducted returns the AC is bolted to the roof from above with lag bolts or screws holding it in place.

I wasn't aware that some fasten like yours but I assure you that we had a class A with 2 ducted air conditioners from Dometic and both were mounted as described. It was a while ago so perhaps that has changed and I was not aware of it. That bears more investigation on our part.

 

[billwhinc]

These are the photos provided by the dealer.

 

[dodge3500]

Kirk, i am talking about a ducted return not the supply ducts. When they use a ducted return there is no cover underneath the unit so it cannot be screwed in from below.
Renee I did read your earlier post, I read all the posts before I reply. Looking at Billwhinc's pictures is similar to how mine is mounted. The screws should have had sealant applied at the factory. unfortunately there is no consistent way that the factory mounts this style of unit. I have see several different ways they use. I don't think Dometic has install instructions for this application.

 

[dodge3500]

While cleaning my roof this morning I see that I have Coleman ac units. These do have top-down install kits. Unfortunately Jayco did not follow the instructions with my units. Surprise. They installed the front mounts but just drilled thru the baseplate in the condensor area. Also spacers were not used just lots of mastic.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

All brands of air conditioners have 4 mounting bolts that are accessed from the inside to compress the foam gasket that is around the opening to keep water out. The gasket is placed around the opening and then the air conditioner is lowered onto it. The location of the four bolts varies depending on what brand & model the air conditioner is but all of them are mounted the same way.

I think it's just a terminology thing. Those four aren't "Lag bolts" but they do hold the a/c on and they can be loose enough to allow leaks. Could be a sloppy initial install, or could be from road vibration.

After reading further (Mark's reply), I see there is another method of install as well. Neither my Coleman nor my Dometic a/c were installed that way, so I'm not familiar with it. I guess we need to know more about the OP's actual install.

 

[billwhinc]

I think it's just a terminology thing. Those four aren't "Lag bolts" but they do hold the a/c on and they can be loose enough to allow leaks. Could be a sloppy initial install, or could be from road vibration.

After reading further (Mark's reply), I see there is another method of install as well. Neither my Coleman nor my Dometic a/c were installed that way, so I'm not familiar with it. I guess we need to know more about the OP's actual install.

Can you tell anything from the photos? There seems to be a lack of gasket between the base of the a/c and the roof.

 

[Kirk]

Looking at the pictures that you posted, it does look like there might be lag-bolts into the roof with some sort of rubber block under each one. The foam seal that Gary & I are familiar with is up under the unit and around the opening into the living spaces. You have not said what make & model the air conditioner is? I also still doubt that it would need the entire roof replaced as your dealer said. Have you had anyone else take a look at it? If not an RV tech at least get someone with extensive RV experience to have a look. If I were not so far away, I'd really like to have a look at it.

 

[billwhinc]

Kirk,
I did have another tech review the situation without seeing the trailer. Its still at the dealer while I figure out if the lawyer can get anything accomplished.
As soon as I pick it up, the mobile tech will review in person.
I do not know the make or model of the a/c because all the paperwork is in the trailer.
I am picking it up on Monday. Until then, thanks for your help.

 

[balchz06]

I'm battling the same problem with a 2017 Jayco 5th wheel. Improper installation from the factory for the ducted AC and rotten roof wood around the opening. For everyone that has been saying go inside and remove the plastic cover and access the metal frame that holds down a traditional AC unit - ducted units are entirely different. Inside the camper, if you look up where the AC is mounted you'll only see the finished ceiling with no access to the unit. It bolts in from the top - picture below is my roof after removing a section of roof plywood. There's 2 aluminum flat bars under the plywood where the AC mounting screws go in from the top. The AC unit gets positioned/centered over the opening in the roof and then fastened to the aluminum plates with long self drilling/self tapping sheet metal screws. I think it's a horrible design, I'm not sure how hard you can crank down on the mounting screws to compress the foam gasket, before you risk stripping the threads in the thin aluminum bar. I'm putting mine back together now, I hope to have it finished in a couple of week. Below the aluminum bars is also a few inches of the wooden roof trusses for the mounting screws to bite into.

 

[balchz06]

Here's the roof with new plywood installed. You can't see the aluminum underneath, but its critical that the AC mounting screws are assembled into the aluminum bar - you don't want the AC unit misaligned and wind up missing the metal. Again, from the inside of the camper this nothing on the ceiling to even indicated an AC unit is mounted above. Everything is attached from the roof.

 

[Kirk]

What make and model is the air conditioner? I have never worked with one that is mounted in that way.

 

[balchz06]

I can check the AC make and model later when I'm home. The camper is a Jayco 5th wheel 28.5 RSTS

 

[Domo]

Could also copy the Attorned General for PA as well as local TV and radio stations when you communicate in writing (always) with the dealer and Jayco.

Get the second/third written statements/quotes from licensed repair facilities that clearly state mfg fault.

You should also record any loss of use time while it's in the shop waiting to be diagnosed, etc.

Sadly, PA does not have an RV lemon law.

 

[old RV guy]

Jayco has deep pockets, the chances that an individual would recover more than the cost to sue them is slim. The odds that they'd (consumer) end up paying both for the damage repair and the costs to litigate are high. About the only way little people can come out ahead with outfits like Jayco is class action. Jayco is well aware of that and that's why they don't give a **it.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

What make and model is the air conditioner? I have never worked with one that is mounted in that way.

Nor have I.

It is not ducted vs direct that makes the difference in a/c mounting. I've owned both Dometic & Coleman-Mach ducted a/c units and they mounted through the roof vent hole in the traditional manner. Got to be the a/c brand. It's probably a positive thing - adapting a ducted unit to the 14x14 ceiling vent is kind of a Rube Goldberg thing anyway.

 

[balchz06]

Airxcel 48000 series are the units on my Jayco 5th wheel. The one in the bedroom uses the traditional thru the roof mount and is pulled down on the gasket with the bolts accessed from the inside. The 2nd AC unit mounted over the living space is ducted throughout the camper and is mounted from the top. It's the same 48000 series Airxcel that's in the bedroom and it uses the same foam seal. But, it's fastened to the roof with the self drilling/tapping screws that go through the aluminum flat bar that's part of the roof construction.

 

[Kirk]

But, it's fastened to the roof with the self drilling/tapping screws that go through the aluminum flat bar that's part of the roof construction.

I don't like that idea at all. I have never seen one like that but it may the a new, cheaper way to do things. With any luck it won't become common.