Thermal screen cover leakage over doors

Just wondering if anyone has had this problem and if how you overcame it.

Just got a new Broadway (Fiat chassis) and the first time we put the thermal screen covers on it rained and water poured in over the top of both the passenger and driver cab doors.
The first time the rain was a bit torrential, but then it happened again with light rain.
What I think is happening is that the flap over the door is compressing the rubber door seals, and as the Broadway has no rain gutter (not that many new coachbuilts have one anyway). As it is a new van, the seals are not going to be perished, and it doesn't happen with out the screen covers on.


Has anyone any advice please.

Thank you

Peter

My current van is an A class. The passenger door is a flush fit with external rubber seals which are neat and effective. 

However the manufacturer has seen fit to apply a short section of 'guttering' above the door to divert any water either in front of or behind the door.

It has proven effective on my silver screen external covers.

The guttering is just an L shaped strip of metal glued to the body to form a barrier and divert any water. It is the same colour as the van and is at the point where roof curves downwards to become side panel.

Perhaps a DIY fix similar would solve the problem for you.

Davy

Thank you for the information.
However on the Broadway, the coachbuilt part of the body (ie converters bit) overhangs the door, and comes to less than 5mm of the top of the door opening. Hence no space to fit any form of gutter.
Peter

Hi and welcome to the forum from Bridlington .
Boaby

Hi Peter, perhaps with the external screen in situ, any rain that would readily run down the cab windows can't drain away thus creates a pooling of water that seeps in the top of the doors. Our silver screen fits very snug to the point where it overlaps (folds back) above the doors (the 5 mm you mention) against the cab. Just a guess as I can't recall experiencing torrential rain when using our screen. Regards

It might help to know which cover you are using. They are all similar, but even a small difference could cause your problem.

We have genuine SilverScreens and our cab is identical to your. Never had any problem and we've been in some horizontal rain at times.

Dave

I've had the same problem from new with Taylor made screens.

John.

I haven`t had this problem with Silver Screens, different windscreen I know, do these fit more snugly than the Taylor Made  ones I wonder?

I didn't mention the make as I thought they all fitted over the cab doors in a similar way.
Mine are Taylormade ones.
Peter

Perhaps that is the reason then, Peter - we use a SilverScreen and it has never caused water ingress even in torrential rain (but obviously a different 'van to yours).
Andy

Maybe a picture of the top of the door may help.
I was wondering if I could use a magnetic strip to hold the top instead of the top flap over the door.

If I remember correctly (No guarantee these days!! ) on the Taylormades there's a Velcro strip in the triangular flap which hooks inside the cab, across the top corner of the doors. Presumably it's there to adjust the tension for a snug fit - can't think of any other reason.

Maybe yours is a bit too snug?? You could try slackening it off a bit to relieve some of the tension on the rubber door seal.

Dave

Thanks Dave. However the velco is only about 1" wide so there is no room for adjustment. Also the doors have Rimor blinds on the inside.
I did also once just unfasten the velcro after the door was closed - still rain comes in.

Peter

It was a good theory - while it lasted.

Can't think what the problem might be. Our van is identical to yours in that respect, and we've never had any rain coming in.

I presume your rubber door strip is seated correctly?? Never take anything for granted these days - they probably have "les singes" building vans in France, same as here!!

Dave


P.S. Mark at Autosleepers Service Centre is very knowledgeable and always helpful. It seems unlikely to me, but this just could be a known problem???

One can only assume that it's seated properly as it doesn't leak without the screen covers.
Peter

Yes thanks -we have the 'Rimor' version.
Peter

Hi, as noted by DaisyM and AndyPK we have Silver Screens on our Winnie and have never had a problem even in the Alpes earlier this summer when we had a torrential storm. The screens have a 'pocket' which fits over the door angle top, rear and allows the screen to fit flush to the side windows and screen. Using the screen means no need to faff on with internal blinds for privacy and certainly has heat reflection/retention value.
The Silver Screen and the Duvalay mattress toppers are the best accessories we have purchased and I heartily recommend both!! Andy

Hi Pads.
I have "suffered" the symptoms you describe on our two previous m/hms. The problem was cured when after slipping the screens over the cab doors, and just before finally pushing the door shut, I found that pulling the cover down stopped the rather rigid edging  at the top of the screen from getting trapped in the door frame. It seemed that when this rigid section got so trapped in the top of the door, this allowed rain water to flow over the top of the doors.  Best wishes to all.  Eddie

Organplayer wrote: . . . just before finally pushing the door shut, I found that pulling the cover down stopped the rather rigid edging  at the top of the screen from getting trapped in the door frame.

Hmmmmmmmm?? Interesting.

I've always done that, as it sits the cover more snugly and makes it fit better. Could that be why I've never had the problem??

Certainly worth a try Pads.

Dave

Not sure whether it would make a difference, both the rubber door seals on ours came off setting the door alarm buzzing. Drivers door on the first occasion and (because I didn't think to check) the passenger one on another. I'm sure neither had been correctly fitted, could be worth checking to ensure they are correctly bedded onto the internal guttering. 

We don't use screens because we are all hardy folk up here   (and I can't be bother finding another storage solution)