Don't order caulk from Mobility RV

Catpowered · 12-03-2010, 04:16 PM

I intend to caulk the front cap on my 04 Meridian and wanted to use the OEM caulk. I thought it may be a special caulk used specifically for painted fiberglass. Therefore I researched the part number and found it available from Mobility RV, a parts outlet for Winnebago. I ordered it and thought it was a little pricey at $18 a tube, but better to have the OEM stuff, right? This was a giant mistake. I was told the caulk was $18 plus a haz mat shipping fee. Stupid of me not to ask what the shipping fee was. With the caulk, handling charge and shipping fee they charged my credit card $64.45! When I called and informed Mobility that they should have told me what the shipping fee was going to be they said "There is nothing we can do." To make matters worse, I "Googled" the name of the caulk ... Stone Mason Gutter & Siding Sealant... and it came up as sold by Home Depot for $6.95 at tube!

RickO · 12-03-2010, 04:25 PM

Ouch... that's outrageous!

Good idea to investigate the right caulk however. I had my coach caulked back at the factory in Forest City this year and the tech really stressed the importance of using the specific caulk Winnie calls for and even warned me not to trust Winnie dealers who often times don't carry the right ones but will sell you anything.

Rick

smlranger · 12-03-2010, 05:06 PM

I did buy a tube of the Stone Mason Clear sealant at the Winnebago factory parts store recently and paid $18 for it. I did not realize at the time that it would be available at Home Depot for much less. Lesson learned.

However, $64 to get a tube is certainly outrageous.

tomsm · 12-03-2010, 06:55 PM

When you say "caulk the front cap", are you talking about the long seam between the front cap and the roof? How do you know if it needs to be done? Mine "looks" OK and has never leaked. Is this something that needs to be done after a certain period of time or "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"?

I'm familiar with how to test and maintain the roof/sidewall joint, but have never been concerned with the caps...

cbeierl · 12-03-2010, 07:14 PM

Just fyi, I think you'll find that it's only available at Home Depots in Canada.

RickO · 12-03-2010, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomsm

When you say "caulk the front cap", are you talking about the long seam between the front cap and the roof? How do you know if it needs to be done? Mine "looks" OK and has never leaked. Is this something that needs to be done after a certain period of time or "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"?

I'm familiar with how to test and maintain the roof/sidewall joint, but have never been concerned with the caps...

I think the recommendation is that every six months we should inspect and renew/replace the caulked edges as required. That means wiping all caulked seams and closely checking them for missing or flaking caulk. Then recaulking with the appropriate caulk.

I haven't been very good at staying on top of this but just had Forest City go over my entire coach and now I want to turn over a new leaf and try to maintain it better.

This is certainly NOT something to be considered for the "it ain't broke so don't fix it" category. Your first indication that something is broken can be your ceiling falling down and other similarly attractive indicators.

Rick

Chuck 1935 · 12-03-2010, 08:33 PM

Use Eternabond and you will never have to caulk again. Only one problem, the color, they have only white, tan or black