• ⚠️ Possible issue on January 1
    The current SSL certificate expires on January 1, 2026. It should auto-renew automatically.
    If the site shows as “Not Secure” after that day, you can temporarily bypass the warning by searching Google for:
    “how to ignore expired certificate Safari or your browser.”

    For more information and detailed browser-specific workarounds, click here . This thread will be kept updated.

Taping window drain

rockytopsc

rockytopsc

Novice
Just curious what type of tape others use for taping the window drain's when traveling in rain? Also, is anyone taping the window as well?

I've been using painters tape as it seems to hold very well and leaves no residue on the aluminum.

Drove in rain yesterday with the drain's taped and still had some water make it's way in to the bed from the two drains. Before removing the tape the water was still in the window gutter on the inside and upon removal, the water of course drained itself.

Was just wondering if the rubber around the windows needs to be taped as well to prevent water being forced thru this area.

J
 
We just got Rock Tamers which I am hoping will help with this problem. Otherwise I use a wide electrical tape and make sure the piece is long enough it extends well past the edge of the drain. It is what Craig gave me on pick-up, and we have continued since. Cars with a wider wheel base (SUV, trucks, etc) throw water up along the sides of the trailer, so the flaps can make a big difference and I am hoping it might mean I don't need tape. I had very little trouble with this when I was towing with my wagon. It is strange now having the trailer be nearly the same width of the car!
 
At orientation, the phenomenon was explained to me. On the door windows, there is a drain at the base, meant to drain window/interior condensation. What can happen is when you have a tow vehicle where the wheel base on the TV is wider than the trailer, when the TV is driving through heavy rain/water on the road, the TV can possibly throw water directly UP those windows drains, and it drips down under your mattress. You may not even notice it until you see wetness.. Or a until your bedding is soaked. :(

The 'usually works' fix is to tape those drain vents shut, especially in rainy weather. Other fixes are... Longer or different guards on your TV's wheels, or of course, a TV that isn't wider than your trailer (not exactly the cheap option).

Jason, call Cary about the other water coming in the windows, he explained that to me too (someone else had that); and a potential fix, but I'll just mess up the explanation I try to articulate it. Lol.
 
Sarah we are considering the rock tamers for the FJ but not real sure how much they help with slowing the water spray while driving on the interstate and the big rigs passing by and spraying the Camp Inn. Two lane roads, I can see where preventing the spray with the tamers would help.

I'll look for the wider electrical tape.

Gary, yeah I was wondering if the drain caps are available.

Seems we need to camp in areas where folks are in a drought status, since this year it's rained hard on our three trips, ha! Still trying to catch the deluge in a paper cup....
J
 
I will let you know. I drive a Range Rover and my husband has an FJ and we are bound to be in the wet at some point. This is Oregon after all! We paid for these drier times up front with 3 solid years of rain. Our summer last year was perfect though. Before that hit I thought I had lost my DNA. I am a 6-generation Oregonian and am bred for this weather, right? I figured our deluge was because we got out trailer and Ma Nature was punishing me. If we want a wibd storm i just need to clean up the yard. Having these dpecial powers is tough! :) Seems she is ok with it now though!

Good luck!
 
Even with our rock tamers, if it is windy and a hard rain, it seems to spray up and into the door vent. We have been experimenting with wine corks (just carve a little off the end to accommodate the shape of the screen) to plug the hole from the inside when traveling. So far seems to work but haven't been in a hard rain since last year ... more to come. Just remember to unplug them when arrive at destination. Ours usually lay on the inside ledge.
 
Thanks Jerry & Tina we were thinking along the same line of constructing some type of plug along with the tape to help with the situation.

J
 
Friday I taped both sets of window drains with Camo Duct Tape, still had wet sheets. At least knew to look at upon arrival at camp ground. Noticed on the insiide water had dripped from bottom of window. Amazing the power of water to find the smallest places to invade.

Since I am lucky enough to camp with Jerry and Tina Memorial Day weekend, will have to pick their minds on wine cork application.
 
When we were in Utah last week, I saw a CampInn TD which had black tape over the window drains. I assume that was for road dust, as it isn't likeoy to be raining in southern Utah this time of year.

We drove many miles on dirt roads on our Utah trip, and that kicks up a lot of red dust that somehow finds its way inside the TD, at the door/window. Not as big a deal as water, of course.

-Al
 
Ok Jason, just looked at the tape we have been using more recently, and it is actually Gorilla Tape, and it is 1" wide.

tape.jpg


When we picked up the trailer, Craig did give us electrical tape. With the Gorilla tape, I have been careful to only leave it on while we are underway, and take it off immediately. I have noticed some goo left on the sill, but that comes off easily with Goo Gone (whoever invented that stuff should get a Nobel Prize...seriously!). The back side of the tape is white and it is more like duct tape, and it has worked well for us. Water is usually a big issue for us, but we have been waiting stuff out lately. We haven't used recently, and I was thinking we still had the electrical tape in there (I think Mick might have stolen it for another project).

By the way, Happy birthday!
 
I put MACKS Kid's Size waterproof earplugs inside the vent holes to help prevent some rain from splashing in from the outside. We haven't noticed any "water" problems and we are here in Florida where we can experience major pourdowns!! You'll see the little "orange" dot on our photo with the new curtains. It stays stuck in there all on its own.
 
" I have noticed some goo left on the sill, but that comes off easily with Goo Gone "

A quick and easy way to remove tape glue residue is to use the sticky side of the tape you just removed and use that to dab over the glue residue. It will pick up the glue left behind because the glue will stick to the glue. Just keep dabbing it over the residue until the tape picks it all up.

Michael
 
We just returned from our trip "out west."

We experienced weather.

Rain? check
Monsoon? check
Fog? yep
Drizzle? uh huh
Snow? of course
Sleet? yeah boy
Freezing rain? why not?
Dust storm in Texas panhandle? cough cough.... yes

I did some research. I taped my side and left the wife's side untaped. Through all that she never complained of any problems with moisture or dust. Although, to be fair, after the second day on the road she wasn't speaking to me any longer. After the 5th day, she rode in the teardrop. We got back yesterday (Day 15). I'm pretty sure she's about to invite me back in the house. Maybe tomorrow.....
 
Just sleep in the teardrop with the dog (that didn't go out west) 'cause, remember, it's for a twofer!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top