Exterior Leaking bed end lid solution

[mbr37746]

Put the van in for service and mentioned a leaking front bed end lid hinge. After some discussion, here's what was done as a permanent solution.
The guys at the workshop did it on both ends, just in case! Professional job and looks like it was always meant to be there. I hope this helps someone who may have the same issue.


Cheers!

 

[dagree]

Hopefully won't need it but something to keep in mind just in case.... Looks like a good job.

 

[thomo67]

looks good what was the cost to do that ?
i wonder if it is a kit thing they have for it ?

 

[mbr37746]

@thomo67
I'm not sure of the cost, this was a warranty repair. It is a bloody good job! It looks like it's meant to be there.
Made of awning material.

 

[brotys]

That is very neat job and looks like it came from factory

 

[MDS69]

came across this thread and I like the solution. Does anyone else experience water pooling on top of the bed end whilst the lid is open. Over Christmas whilst raining I was getting water on top of the canvas. This was in spite of having the Jayco waterproof BEF's fitted so it must have been coming through the hinge I guess.

 

[Drover]

Mine only has a rear bend end, no BEF fitted I have no watertight integrity problems with the BE or hinge to date, only have water running from the end of the hinge slightly which ends up on the canvas wall but no leaks, just came back from a rather wet trip with a few good storms. Proofing the canvas properly pays dividends.

I do like that mod, does it only happen on the front BE ???

 

[Ligedy]

came across this thread and I like the solution. Does anyone else experience water pooling on top of the bed end whilst the lid is open. Over Christmas whilst raining I was getting water on top of the canvas. This was in spite of having the Jayco waterproof BEF's fitted so it must have been coming through the hinge I guess.

Yeah - same as you describe @MDS69. My front bed end leaks with some water pooling on the canvas too (have the holiday annexes BEFs fitted).
Only annoys me when I leave the bed end windows open... I seem to recall water (not much though) on the canvas inside when unpacking previously - probably from driving through rain.
I don't use my rear bed end but I reckon it leaks as well.
Have just finished re-sika'ing where the hinge tabs/side plates mount on the bed end and body, and sealed up the end of the hinge as previous posts describe. Will get the hose out tomorrow to see how much water actually comes in through the hinge.

 

[Drover]

Has the canvas BE ever been fully soaked and let to dry ?? If it hasn't been set properly, like a tent it will leak.

 

[Ligedy]

I shoulda done the hose test before getting out the sika... well the hinges seal proper on my panda - I reckon it's the water that flows in around the hard top corners because the hinge isn't as wide as the bed end - see the vid attached. Will have to look at something to get a better fit on the BEFs at the top corners to better seal and direct the water outwards.

 

[Crusty181]

I shoulda done the hose test before getting out the sika... well the hinges seal proper on my panda - I reckon it's the water that flows in around the hard top corners because the hinge isn't as wide as the bed end - see the vid attached. Will have to look at something to get a better fit on the BEFs at the top corners to better seal and direct the water outwards.

The vid certainly gets the point across.

We've been lucky I suppose with the new van, the only water we've had on the bed has been a little aircon dribble depending on how weve been levelling the van.

Not sure why the odd aircon dribble sneaks through and not the rain

We're on the Gold Coast which got smashed with dumping rain all last night, with major floading across the coast. Woke up this morning and not a drop of water on the bed.

When you churn put 200 units per month and been building vans for 40 years ...... how do you manage to get two Expanda lids/bed ends so different from each other .... one leaking like a strainer in a drizzle, and the other bone dry through extreme weather

 

[james saunders]

came across this thread and I like the solution. Does anyone else experience water pooling on top of the bed end whilst the lid is open. Over Christmas whilst raining I was getting water on top of the canvas. This was in spite of having the Jayco waterproof BEF's fitted so it must have been coming through the hinge I guess.

I have the same problem,just wondering if you fixed the problem and how

 

[john hayward]

We have had the same problem occaisionally but not to any great degree.
Interestingly it only affects the front bed and not the rear one.
From my observations the front hard lid opens to a more horizontal position and my theory is that this position allows water to seep back through the hinge which obviously can't be sealed.
The solution would be to ensure that the lid has a slightly steeper incline when in the open position but I don't know if or how you can adjust the struts to achieve this position.
I'm sure that an inch or so would make a difference.

 

[achjimmy]

I found the solution to the water pooling on the bed end was to buy a starcraft ha ha

No seriously I posted up a video years ago on here of the water getting around the hinges and down. I remied it but silconing on a chuppa chomp stick that didn't let the water fall back around the hinge if that makes sense?

Last December while gas bagging with @Moto Moto we discussed this and why not all vans are affected. Think it has something to do with how high up past horizontal your lid goes! Some go so far the top half actually directs water back towards the hinge area! Try a strap to stop the lid going fully horizontal maybe 5-10 degrees down there should be room above the canvas.

 

[Drover]

I found that the water was running over the lid edge at the end of the hinge I just ran a bead of silicon from the hinge end to the outer edge of the lid to channel the water, it now falls to the ground. It shouldn't leak thru the hinge as it's a channel.

 

[Moto Moto]

Hi All, yes this has been a problem for me too as mention by @achjimmy , I also have the holiday annex bed covers and the front bed canvas was still getting really wet in the rain. That video shows exactly how the water gets in @Ligedy

BUT I FOUND A SOLUTION!!!

I found a guy on ebay making bed end gutters (I posted it in the ebay finds thread a while ago) but its not listed now. Its similar to the very first post in this thread but instead of being above the hinge it goes below. Simple (two person) install, and works great. Recently camping in heavy rain and front bed stayed dry but rear bed had some water on the canvas so might get one for the rear also.

I have the person who makes these details so if any one is interested i will contact him and ask if he minds me putting his details up. He's in Moorebank, NSW. He also make clear pop top window replacements (instead of mesh), bed end storm covers and thermo fans for Jayco fridges.


Here are some photos of mine fitted up (sorry not great quality).

 

[Marv_mart]

I found that the water was running over the lid edge at the end of the hinge I just ran a bead of silicon from the hinge end to the outer edge of the lid to channel the water, it now falls to the ground. It shouldn't leak thru the hinge as it's a channel.

Yep, I did the same!

 

[MDS69]

I have the same problem,just wondering if you fixed the problem and how

no I haven't @james saunders but a few of the observations and solutions between your post above and this one have given me some ideas

 

[Bluey]

we have had rain pouring down on us at Christmas in NSW but Easter in SA bed end started leaking right on my wife's pillow through that white edging where the bed end is connected inside the van ?????? not happy !!!! will be getting this looked at

 

[Crusty181]

we have had rain pouring down on us at Christmas in NSW but Easter in SA bed end started leaking right on my wife's pillow through that white edging where the bed end is connected inside the van ?????? not happy !!!! will be getting this looked at

More info @Bluey. Is it likely the canvas or the frame being the problem