Dust intrusion while towing on dirt/gravel roads

[cirrus]

Hello,

I am contemplating the purchase of a Fleetwood Evolution, but read a user comment about dust/dirt buildup inside the PU (another model) after travelling on gravel roads. Is this an issue?
I plan on using the trailer primarily on unimproved roads as I haven't any interest in camping anywhere but Forest Service campgrounds and /or the boonies.

Thank you!

P.S. I'm glad to see a forum for dry campers here!

[tlhdoc]

I don't know if they seal the off road PUs any better than the regular ones.  The best thing to do is to have two people, one inside and one under the PU the PU, with the PU set up at night.  Open all of the cupboards and have one person with a flashlight shine it all over the floor.  The other person seals the openings as you find them.

[cirrus]

I don't know if they seal the off road PUs any better than the regular ones.  The best thing to do is to have two people, one inside and one under the PU the PU, with the PU set up at night.  Open all of the cupboards and have one person with a flashlight shine it all over the floor.  The other person seals the openings as you find them.

Thanks for the tip!

So I assume the "On road" models have a dust issue?

WHat do you recommend for a sealant?

[Tim5055]

So I assume the "On road" models have a dust issue?

I really don't think they do.  I took our 01 Santa Fe all over the forest roads in Virginia and never had a problem with dust.

[mike4947]

Some have more air flow through holes/gaps/cracks than others. It's never a bad idea to seal up the underside. Insect and rodent proofs as well as dust proofs.

[CUL8R]

I've been really pleased with our Evo so far.  4 trips so far this year, and all but one on bad washboard dirt roads getting into fairly remote Forest Service campgrounds here in Colorado.  We've had almost no dust getting in (although the outside is well covered, and we even have dirt and gravel on the front platform despite using big gravel/mud guards while towing).

However, the sealing on the bottom of our unit definitely could have been better.  The water and gas penetrations were all poorly/inadequetely sealed.  I picked up a tube of "best" grade silicon caulk from Lowe's for my caulk gun and sealed them all correctly.  I used clear, but they have white, black, etc.  The rear main seam where the flooring meets the rear wall also needed a little attention.  Had to take a few things apart inside to get to all of that one.

Don't sweat the small stuff.  But I would look over whatever unit you are thinking of buying, and have the dealer fix these things (and anything else you find) before you buy it/take it home.  I never crawled underneath ours (it was winter and wet and slushly) but I should have.  I could have taken it back for repair, but I know I did a good job.  I can only assume the dealer also would have.

Jim

[cirrus]

Thanks for all the great information!

Now I just have to decide between a PU camper or PU trailer.

[jimbob]

90% of my camping is in the boonies which requires travel on some pretty rough dirt/gravel roads. My only problem with dust build up is through the fridge access door/vent. It gets pretty nasty in there sometimes and requires alot of extra cleaning.