Jayco Campers & Water Leaks: 7 Answers (Explained)

Jayco is a big brand in the RV market that has been producing quality motorhomes since 1967.

For more than 50 years, Jayco has introduced different camper ranges that have become incredibly popular. Yet, as with most campers, people experience common problems, even with Jayco campers.

Unfortunately, water leaks are one of the most common problems RVers using Jayco campers face.

It can be incredibly frustrating contending with water leaks if you don’t know where they come from or how to look for them. That’s why we want to tell you everything you need to know about Jayco campers and water leaks.

Here’s Where Jayco Campers Leak:

Not every Jayco camper leaks. Whether or not a Jayco camper can leak depends on many factors, like if the camper was bought new, maintained, and bought at a legit dealership. Leaks can occur in the forward window, the gutter track, any seals, and by the roof.

1. When Do Jayco RVs Typically Start Leaking?

On average, if a Jayco camper is maintained and its roof is re-sealed every six months (some models only need to be re-sealed every 12 months), it won’t start leaving for many years.

However, if a Jayco camper is not taken care of or maintained, it’s likely to start leaking after three to four years of use.

Some have even experienced their campers leaking sooner than this, but this is usually because of a manufacturing fault or because of how the camper is used and the weather conditions it has been subjected to.

2. Do Jayco RVs Leak More Than Other Brands?

Jayco campers don’t experience leaks more often than lesser-known and well-known brands as they are generally on par with the competition regarding leaks.

This is because this brand takes pride in manufacturing a huge selection of premium quality motorhomes that are affordable and built to last a lifetime.

This brand’s campers have won multiple awards, and their toy haulers, fifth wheels, and travel trailers are often recognized as some of the best on the market. Jayco’s Jay Flight model was the number one selling travel trailer for 15 consecutive years.

However, this doesn’t mean Jayco campers don’t experience their fair share of water leaks. There have been many disgruntled RVers who have experienced water leaks with their Jayco campers. In addition, some have even experienced multiple leaks with their new campers.

For example, one customer can be quoted as saying: “I return the camper to the dealer again. This time I was present when they inspected the camper to find the water leak. The tech found two more water leaks. All 3 were factory defects, and the insulation under the floor was completely soaked with water.”

Yet, to affirm that Jayco does produce quality products, multiple people have bought and used Jayco campers and have not experienced leaks for decades. One user even bought a second-hand model that did not have any leaks.

She said: “We purchased a 2013 Jay Flight and have had no problems with any leaks. If there were any, the first owner got them all fixed as the trailer seems to have had excellent care from the original owners.” 

Her statement also proves that with proper maintenance, campers have a better chance of experiencing no leaks or easily manageable leaks.

3. Where Do Jayco RVs Leak?

There are quite a few places where Jayco RVs have been found to leak by their owners.

After scouring the internet, we have created the brief list below that explains the places Jayco RVs often leak:

By The Forward Window

Many Jayco campers often experience leaks by the forward windows.

Usually, a good place to start evaluating if you leak here is to check the seals around the clearance lights. In particular, you should look as close as possible to the top edge of your forward windows to see if there is any sealant failure.

You can also look at the rubber gasket located against the glass perimeter surface on the exterior and by the window frame. This area often leaks in the forward windows because the rubber gaskets shrink and harden over time, allowing them to pull away and let water in.

By The Gutter Track

Some models, like the 2016 Jayco Jayflight 27RLS, experience water leaks at the end of the gutter track on the door side. This is often because of a missing screw beneath a rubber seal that holds the gutter track up.

This missing screw allows water to seep in, so if this problem occurs, an RVer needs to re-caulk the area after replacing the screw.

Anywhere There Are Seals

Unfortunately, there is a chance of a water leak where there are seals on a Jayco model. This is because seals are not meant to last forever.

Depending on the model, a seal can last a year or longer, but this isn’t always the case. Thus, if you’re experiencing a water leak, it could be the seals by the windows or the awnings.

So it’s best to check these places first to see if you need to re-seal or apply a new layer of caulking.

By The Roof

Jayco motorhomes often experience water leaks by the roof.

This is because the sealant or caulking in this area quickly deteriorates, allowing water to seep inside where the sealant has failed.

However, usually, the sealant on a Jayco’s roof should not fail within the first two years. Still, some Jayco motorhome owners have experienced this because an inferior sealant product was used.

4. How Do You Inspect A Water Leak On These Models?

Water leaks are one of the most frustrating things to happen to RV owners because they can be hard to find and even more difficult to locate.

That’s why we thought it best to give you a few pointers on how to inspect a Jayco motorhome to find a water leak. Identifying a water leak can help you prevent or catch damage before it’s too late.

• Inspect every seam, including roof, window, and body.
• Look for soft spots and discoloration on the floor, by the walls, around the roof vents, near the air conditions, and by any openings or plumbing vents.
• Identify where inside your Jayco your water pump, furnace, outside shower, water heater, and city water inlet are so that you can inspect these areas for leaks easily.
• If you have wallpaper in your motorhome, inspect it to see if there are any wrinkles or discoloration, as this often indicates a water leak.
• Check inside cabinets, especially at the top corners where the wall and cabinet meet, for soft spots and discolorations.

Here are 9 additional Important Facts Owners & Buyers Should Know about Jayco RVs!

5. How Much Will It Cost To Fix A Leak On These Models?

How much it costs to fix a water leak on a Jayco model will largely depend on the severity of the leak, where the leak is located, and if you’re fixing it yourself.

For example, if you have a small leak by your RV windows and you choose to complete a DIY repair, you should only expect to pay about $100. In contrast, if you have a professional look at it, they could pay you upwards of $200.

According to most RVers who own Jayco models, professionals can charge between $600 to $700 to fix sealant problems where the product has deteriorated. If you were to fix this issue yourself, you would likely spend less than $100 if the job was not major and you had the know-how to do it.

However, you should know that more severe leaks that have resulted in water damage can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs. One RV owner had a rear molding strip leak that caused water damage along the entirety of the rear wall, and he had to pay an estimated repair cost of between $2,500 and $3,000.

6. How Hard Is It To Fix A Leaking ROOF On Jayco Models?

How difficult it is to fix a leaking roof on a Jayco model depends on the severity of the leak, what kind of roof it has, and if there is any damage to its structure.

After all, different roofing materials (rubber, fiberglass, and metal) will require different repair techniques.

Usually, if there is only a sealant problem, whereby the silicone or caulking has deteriorated, an RVer can fix this issue independently. You can also add a rubberized leak sealer to seal any cracks causing leaks.

However, although fixing the sealant is relatively easy, it can be difficult and time-consuming to find where the roof leaks.

Most often, an RVer will have to use a hose to spray section by section to determine where a leak is occurring and usually will need the help of someone else.

If the leak is caused by structural damage to the roof that requires patching or replacement, you will find it incredibly challenging to fix it on your own. In these instances, it’s best to let a professional repair technician take care of it, even if it will be expensive.

7. How Hard Is It To Fix A Leaking WINDOW On Jayco Models?

Depending on the size and type of window your Jayco model has and the type of problem causing the water leak at the window, it can be easy or difficult to fix.

Yet, in most instances, fixing water leaks at windows is easy and significantly faster to address than leaks found anywhere else in a Jayco motorhome.

For example, fixing a leak caused by deteriorated sealing is easy and quick if you have the right tools and are planning to use a quality sealant. All you need to do is remove the old caulking with a razor blade by cutting it loose and then peeling it away from the window.

Then you will need to prep the area with a cleaner to ensure you can easily apply the new layer of caulking. After this is done, you can apply the new caulk by focusing on applying the amount that’s needed over the area where the leak was.

However, during this simple process, you need to make sure not to remove caulking which is still fine as you don’t need to remove all sealant to put more on.

It would help if you were careful not to scratch your window when removing the caulking.

Citations:

Forum: Jayco Owners

Are Jayco RVs Quality?

How To Fix Water Leaks By Your Motorhomes Roof