coleman storage compartment leak question

[utahbrad]

Hi,

I have a 1999 Coleman Utah and it has the front storage compartment leak on the driver's side that is starting to rot the wood.  I have seen different ways to make the repair on the floor but my question is about the leak itself.  I don't seem to have the cracks like some others.  What is the best way to find the leak?  Or is there a majority of the leaks being caused by one thing I can check out?

Thanks,

[austinado16]

Welcome!
Time to have a friend run water over that area of the camper while you're inside with a flashlight watching it leak.  When you "make it rain" make sure to have your sprayer nozzle on the garden hose set up so you get water coming down like rain, instead of just standing there blasting the side of the trailer.  

You might also consider storing it under a cover.  Either one made for a pop-up, or one of those neat dome type portable garages like Harbor Freight sells (which is how I store mine).

[harleywolf]

Your Utah is very similar to my Westlake. I don't know for sure but isn

[Micksc]

The trunk on my 00 Cheyenne developed a leak. Seems there was a stick or something behind the lid, and when it was opened the fiberglass at the lid cracked. I used a fiberglass repair kit from an auto parts store to repair it, then painted the patch with flat white enamel. Still looks ok and no more leaks, (so far).
   Mick

[utahbrad]

Thanks for the info.  I don't have the water heater option.  I will do the water sprayer when I have some time and look for any damage around hinges.  The gasket seams fine, but I will look closer.  I don't have much option about storage. It is outside.  I have used one of those ADCO breathable type covers, which seems to keep the sun off and some of the dirt but that is about it.  

Thanks again,

[rccs]

I had water leaking into the storage area on my 1995 Coleman Avalon and what I found was it was coming in from the side door on the storage compartment. After thinking about it a bit I realized that I had been packing everything into the storage trunk up tight to the side doors which put pressure on the latches and eventually made the gasket not seal like it should. What I done was to take the flat piece off of the latch and bend it slightly so the door would again be held tight against the gasket. Then I cut a piece of 1/4" plywood a little bigger than the side door opening and when packing up I put the plywood across the door opening to keep from packing things to tight to the door. When I get to the campground and began to set up I just move the plywood away from the door openings while getting the things out of the storage trunk so I can use the side doors after setting up. I have not had a problem with a leak into the compartment since.

[austinado16]

Here's the Harbor Freight unit.  So far, I'm very pleased with it.

[harleywolf]

Yea that