Jayco Leaky roof on RV by air condition unit Internet, Middlebury, Indiana

I read your column and had a similar problem with my 2006 Jayco 23B hybrid trailer - a water leak by the AC unit mounted on the roof which caused the ceiling to blister - also leaving a large water mark. I was lucky because the unit was less than 2 years old when this occurred, so it was covered by Jayco.  I really believe it was a manufacturing defect. The dealer fixed it, and I am satisfied, to date that they fixed the problem. However, after reading your column - I will check it often and tighten the AC unit bolts since that possibly may have caused the problem. It is interesting that at the time the dealer never mentioned a loose AC unit nor did they suggest I have it checked periodically and tightened.

 One year later - 2009 - when the unit was no longer under warranty, the front bed door leaked around the frame at the seam causing water damage and mold on the tent fabric. I complained to the dealer that the door wasn't water tight and I want a new seal. The answer was "NO" unless I paid for it. That very same seal was replaced in 2007 when the trailer was only a year old. I had complained then that it wasn't tight enough. So in 2009, a year after the warranty expires - it  still leaks. I noticed that Jayco changed the design of the door latch for the 2009 model year. The key latch system only lasted 2 years - I guess they realized they had a problem on their hands. Real interesting!!

I managed (economically) to fix the problem myself by buying weather stripping at Home Depot which I placed on the existing seal to make it water tight.  (Self - sticking weather stripping - peal and stick).  I guess I will have to go out and spend the money to "temporarily" fix the seal each season. I really believe that problem is due to the key latch design on the door which will secure the door - but not tighten nor apply pressure to the door / seal.

I am a repeat Jayco customer. I purchased my first Jayco hybrid ( 21J ) brand new in 2005 and traded it in a year later for the 2006 ( 23B ). We did this because the 23B had a slide and was a bigger unit with a much nicer floor plan.

The 2005 model had  knobs on the door to hand tighten rather than the key design which can't be tightened. The Key design is actually a "T" shaped tool which tightens a nut which is mounted flush in the door unit. It looks nicer than the knob - but it cant tighten the door properly. POOR DESIGN!  Manufacturing defect??

I am disappointed in Jayco and will not buy another RV from them in the future.