It soon became obvious that the windows leaked in Big Trill. The previous owners had solved this problem by applying layers of silicon seal around the frames and probably swearing a lot when the leaks continued. I had no choice, but to remove the windows and see what could be done. In the photo above, the problem got bigger. It was going to take more than a bit of new silicon seal...
The leaks had been going on long enough to completely rot away much of the inner wooden frame to which the metal window frames were attached. With no purchase for the mostly rotten screws holding everything together, the windows had little choice other than leak more and more...
Each window suffered this same problem to a greater or lesser degree, so all the old wood was removed and new was fitted. The rear window I replaced exactly as it was done originally, however, the side windows got a different treatment. Originally the inner 'skin' covered the wood hiding it from view. I suspect this also allowed it to quietly rot away unseen and unattended to over the years. In the right of the photo above you can see I chose to keep the wood frames in sight, tucking only a little bit of the 'skin' under so that a good seal was attained between the outside metal window frame and the fiberglass 'hull' of the trailer.
Each window was re-sealed with fresh butyl sealant tape and re-screwed in place, this time with stainless screws.
Guess what? The trailer still leaked! Not as badly, but little puddles formed after each rainstorm, so the hunt was on for the source...
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