Dave Solberg

Choosing the Right RV Sealants for Your Vehicle

Dave Solberg
Sign in
Duration:   3  mins

RV sealants are essential for keeping out moisture and maintaining a firm bond between the components of your RV. It’s very important for the lifespan of your RV that you complete regular inspections to ensure your RV sealants don’t have any cracks or gaps that might lead to leaks in your unit.

Depending on the type of roof material such as rubber membrane or fiberglass, and the component it is sealed to such as a roof cap or antenna base, it’s extremely important to select the right sealant for each part of your unit. Certain types of RV sealants are best suited for specific jobs, and you should take care to choose the right type. So in this lesson, we introduce a variety of RV sealants, and teach you what products are ideal for which jobs.

Picking the proper sealant for your RV

Some RV manuals come with a chart that lays out which RV sealants satisfy the needs of each part of your unit. However, if you’re still unsure which sealant you should use on a certain component, we recommend avoiding a generic silicone sealant that can cause cracking and leaks in your unit. Instead, Dave Solberg introduces a range of RV sealants that you can utilize on your vehicle to properly adhere to that material for a long time to best keep moisture away.

Dave walks you through each of the most common sealants that are readily available at hardware stores, and explains what they’re best used for. He talks about a handful of RV sealants, including butyl tape for windows and roof and side vents, and discusses the proper way to use this handy, pliable sealant.

Typically, RV owners opt for silicone RV sealants for their ease of application. There are several options from which you can choose, including self-leveling joint sealant for vents, exterior siding and trim sealant that expands and shrinks to accommodate temperature changes, as well as thermoplastic sealant. Remember, it’s important that you don’t just settle for any generic sealant, but rather find the right sealant for the job required. Do your homework and, as always, consult the manual if you get stuck!

Share tips, start a discussion or ask one of our experts or other students a question.

Make a comment:
500 characters remaining

10 Responses to “Choosing the Right RV Sealants for Your Vehicle”

  1. George Capuani

    iii have a 1968 Winnebago - I’ve been trying try I refurbish . My roof leaks so I used a silicone base roof paint ( don’t remember which manufacturer) but it still leaks . So I’ve decided to do a rubber roof this year. Do I have to strip all the silicone roof paint off so the rubber adhesive sticks , if so , what can I use to make this easier? And, what type of roof would u recommend?

  2. Lavon Barney

    Need to replace water damaged interior walls in 2001 Shasta Camper. What wood do I need?

  3. WILLIAM

    How do you determine what products are required using the Winnebago call out sheet that only provides Winnebago part numbers, without going to a dealership?

  4. Scooter

    Keeping the faith by sealing out water

  5. Hector

    Great vid.. thank U✌🏽🇺🇸.

  6. MIKE

    suggesting silicone to be used on a rubber or TPO roof is just wrong . silicone is one of the worst things you could use , dicor or super flex . is what should be used along with eternabond tape

  7. Jan Larabee

    The screws have fallen out of the latch that holds the door open. There was no sealant installed with the screws from the previous owner. What can I use to ensure a tight fit for the screws to go back in? I am assuming some kind of a sealant. Right?

  8. Diane

    Hi I had a leak in my truck camper and I have staining on my carpet , and the wood has damage what can I use to clean the carpet and fix the wood ?

  9. Joe

    It would be nice to have footnotes listing the type of sealant. The tubes were facing the speaker and not the camera.An audio presentation would have been the same.

  10. MILICA VIRAG

    My unit leaks and I don't know where.

Get exclusive premium content! Sign up for a membership now!