Chuck Smith wrote:

> Hi all. We're working hard getting our "new" 1983 31' Excella cleaned up
> for ou maiden voyage. The trailer had a bunch of old rubbery caulk around
> the trim stip that surrounds the blue stripe. I removed the caulk, and am
> wondering if it is necessary to re-caulk that area? I don't think there's a
> seam under the aluminum trim strip, and don't think it need to be caulked.
> Am I right?
>

Chuck,

Of all the many seams that should be caulked. That one is Numero Uno.

The way Airstreams are constructed the whole body nests inside the lip of the
belly pan. Any leaks at this point, all the way around, will cause the floor to
get wet. Hence the many tales of woe concerning floor rot. A weak link in the
armor, as it were. I'm sure it's easier to build them this way but it would
make for a better product if they were built like an airliner with the panels
lapped all the way around and the floor attached to cross braces. But that
isn't what we have and so we caulk. Caulk is our friend.

Sure, leaks also come from windows and door seams and anyplace else where the
original water tight metal- to- metal mating has loosened. But the bottom trim
especially should not be neglected