I’m at wits end. I have a Shadow alumnium gooseneck horse trailer. The seams running along the top of the roof began to leak so I got some EternaBond aluminum roof tape and got it all fixed up. No leaks. Aired it out. Set to go. Right? No. It has been raining all day and when I was out tonight, the very center of the floor is still damp. Not damp along the edges, down the step up onto the gooseneck platform, etc. Just a damp spot in the center of the floor. I demoed all the carpet and the metal floor is damp. I don’t see any holes or cracks in the floor. Don’t see any drips or leaks from the ceiling. No leaks on the walls. Nothing. I have experience in flooring and know that sometimes this can happen with cement slabs on buildings when the moisture content under them is high, they wick up the mositure. However, I’m completely confused on the aluminum floor. Any ideas? I’m about the lose my mind!
The aluminum tape doesn’t work at all. I tried that forever. I finally got the rubber tape. https://www.amazon.com/EternaBond-RSW-4-50-RoofSeal-Sealant-White/dp/B002RSIK4G It has been raining like crazy here (for the first time in five years) and this is the only time I haven’t seen water collecting under the roof the roof. It’s all dry.
Hmm, well the EternaBond tape I bought seems to be working because there isn’t water coming in from the roof. No drips, no nothing. This is what I bought: https://www.amazon.com/EternaBond-AS450-AlumiBond-Sealant-Tape/dp/B008HMYYBY/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1486178454&sr=1-3&keywords=eternabond+aluminum
My issue is a 2’x2’ spot in the center of the floor. It’s bizarre. No other area is damp. And it can’t be the lowest spot because the trailer is jacked up so the lowest part would be against the back wall. I would think condensation but why would it just be that spot?! Oh, horse trailers!
Yeah. I know. I’ve used that stuff. You won’t see obviously leaks, but I used to get water condensing under the roof and rust from it. You need the rubber stuff that makes a really good seal. I would guess the one spot is because it’s slowly getting in there and dripping from the lowest spot.
I have played “see how to fix the horse trailer roof and stop it from rusting” for about 20 years with this trailer. This is the only thing that worked. I thought the aluminum tape was a great idea originally, too.
Well, crap. I just shelled out a load of money for that aluminum tape and just got it done 2 weekends ago. I’m not enjoying the “see how to fix the horse trailer roof and stop it from leaking” game. :lol:
[QUOTE=Beentheredonethat;9035160]
Yeah. I know. I’ve used that stuff. You won’t see obviously leaks, but I used to get water condensing under the roof and rust from it. You need the rubber stuff that makes a really good seal. I would guess the one spot is because it’s slowly getting in there and dripping from the lowest spot.
I have played “see how to fix the horse trailer roof and stop it from rusting” for about 20 years with this trailer. This is the only thing that worked. I thought the aluminum tape was a great idea originally, too.[/QUOTE]
Is the roof leaking or is humidity inside the trailer condensing on the ceiling and then dripping onto the floor?
Well, at least you can skip the fifteen steps I took in the middle! 
I tried all kinds of sealants, glues, paints, etc.
I don’t know if you’re doing it yourself, but it’s not that hard. Just get all of the rust out first. I love Jasco rust converter. Then the rubber eternabond. You can leave it that way, but I painted over it. I use he heavy duty Rustoleam for metal. It’s about $35 a gallon. I go through and find all of the spots on my trailer and refix it about every two years, and paint it with a paintbrush.
My latest favorite thing is the rubber truck bed liner paint on the inside of the trailer about 3 feet up so their hooves don’t scratch the metal on the inside. THEN I find some great rubber roofing tape stuff, about 8 inches wide, at the thrift store for about $5 for 30 feet. I glued it to the inside of the trailer to about 3 feet up, and now there is no way I’ll ever have to redo that or have rust.
csaper58: Nope, no roof leaks now. Used to be along one side. I’m wondering about the condensation as well since the temps are all over the place right now. But odd to have a 2’x2’ spot in the center of the floor, which isn’t the lowest point, and no drips or wet spots above. So confused.
Beentheredonethat: Funny you say about the rubber truck bed liner paint … that is my very next project! My trailer is all aluminum so the “rust” thing isn’t my issue but the oxidation is. Thankfully my horse will not pee in the trailer but I would like to save the floor as much as possible.
If you post your question here, especially if you have pictures, I think someone can help you. This group has talented amateurs and a host of professional trailer restoration people who love to help. They can probably save you a lot of time and money. Nice group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/912876135499961/
If you post your question here, especially if you have pictures, I think someone can help you. This group has talented amateurs and a host of professional trailer restoration people who love to help. They can probably save you a lot of time and money. Nice group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/912876135499961/
Foxglove: THANK YOU!!!
Ripped all the carpet up. Swept. Left all alone for a few days. Appears I’ve got a wicked condensation problem … in an aluminum trailer?! There aren’t any true leaks or drips, just damp condensation all over the floor. Not on the walls or ceiling. Just floors. And main walk in floor in particular. Not so much up in the nose of the gooseneck. Anyone have a good way of dealing with this? It’s done nothing but pour down rain for the past month so cracking a window isn’t going to help my problem.
Don’t know if it is possible, but can you plug in a fan --like a box fan, and “just let it run” in the middle of the trailer? Moving air will be dry -well dryer than not moving air. We do that in the tack room in the summer, just leave a fan on --keeps the mildew at bay.
