Check Your Gutters

I keep my trailer indoors whenever it is not in use. Despite that, I discovered quite a problem with the screws that attach the gutter just above the slide-out. The only indication of a problem was a trace of rust around several of the screw heads, so I removed a few and couldn't believe the damage. All but one of the screws were severely rusted and the wood was rotted behind the thin exterior surface. None of the screws were capable of holding anything.

I would suggest that all of you check the gutter screws before it is too late, remember that just a hint of rust is an indication that serious trouble has already started. Even if you see no rust, I would be proactive and remove a few screws for a visual check.  Even if your trailer is new, I would want to know the quality of the installation, because I'll bet they are all the same.  Please prove me wrong.  If I bought a new trailer, the gutter(s) would come off immediately and re-installed properly.

The problem is caused by several things; too narrow butyl tape, possibly inferior quality tape, the tape location, no caulk on screws, no caulk on gutter top and cheap screws.  I corrected all of the above after filling the rotted screw holes with fiberglass.



Gutter Photos