Choosing the Right RV Sealants for Your Vehicle

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!

One Response to “Choosing the Right RV Sealants for Your Vehicle”

1. James Turner July 5th, 2020

   There are many good sealants out there to use other than silicone. As a contractor I have found over the years that the only time to use pure silicone is if you will never have to put anything over it again. We have used it in the past as a bond breaker between the substrate and a urethane caulk because nothing will stick to it even another coat of silicone. It’s easy to use but you may pay for it later.

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