On Saturday, April 14th, we tentatively planned to buy a taller ladder to allow easier access to the Scamp’s roof. We figured we needed this in order to patch the spots I’d identified last month as the source of some small leaks. But I guess frustration was starting to take its toll regarding the ongoing work on our trailer, because we impulsively made a trip to Ashland, VA to visit a couple of RV dealerships.
If money were no object–or if I didn’t have a problem with the thought of financing a brand new travel trailer for 10 years–I would love to have an R Pod. These are the best-selling travel trailers under 23 ft. in the country now, and after getting a firsthand look at several different models, I can see why! With their funky, aerodynamic exterior design, rubber torsion axles, and an assortment of convenient features in a small package, these are incredibly cool little campers!
At the next dealership, we were most interested in a 2015 Jayco Jay Flight SLX 185RB.
The price and features were good–and the salesman really worked with us regarding the price and financing options. For a relatively small trailer, the interior was spacious and open, and its weight was well within the towing capacity of my small SUV.
We both really liked the trailer. It would be all we’d need for an extended cross-country type of camping adventure with its A/C, furnace, 3-way refrigerator, propane stove, microwave, bathroom, permanent bed, side dinette, and abundant storage space. But–bottom line–we just didn’t love it. 🙁
Compared to our Scamp–and even the R Pods that we’d just toured–the Jayco seemed so big and boxy and … rectangular…. We looked at it a second time and continued to talk numbers with our salesman, but in the end we decided that it would make an absolutely wonderful camper for someone–but not for us.
On Sunday afternoon, we took the tarp off our Scamp and leaned a foam-padded extension ladder against the exterior (since we still don’t have a step ladder tall enough to reach the roof!) The pinholes on the top aren’t visible at all (which is why this has been so frustrating), but by measuring and comparing the circled spots on the ceiling with the corresponding locations on the roof, Wayne was able to add another generous coat of Tropi-Cool roof sealant on the suspicious areas. For good measure, he used some “Seal-All” inside on the ceiling.
As I’ve said previously, these little pinholes still can’t explain the water that’s appeared on the front dinette bench. Even though we used butyl tape under the screws when we mounted the brackets for the curtain rods, when I checked one of the brackets, I was shocked to find that it was loose–like wiggly loose! Could something this simple be the source of the leak in the front dinette?
Wayne tightened both screws in the bracket (yes, we could have used a shorter screw…), and we also found a couple more that weren’t as snug as they should be.
So now we wait. With heavy rain and storms moving in, I am hopeful that our little trailer will stay completely dry inside!
