How to Repair a Camper Trailer

Whether preparing your camper trailer for the upcoming camping season or restoring an older model, every camper owner needs to know how to perform simple repairs on his unit. Materials are readily available at local camper supply and home improvement stores, and most repairs can be completed over a weekend. Prevent leaks and fix damages now, and you can enjoy your camper for many seasons to come. Most repairs can be performed by one adult.

Things You'll Need

  • Aluminum duct tape
  • Cardboard
  • Roof sealant
  • Butyl sealing tape
  • Screws
  • RV putty tape
  • Liquid correction fluid
  • Drywall filler
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Instructions

    • 1

      Inspect your camper for minor damage, such as a crack in a window or a tear in the siding or roof. Wash the damaged area. Cut a piece of aluminum duct tape, designed for RVs, that is slightly longer than the area. Smooth the tape by hand for a secure seal.

    • 2

      Temporarily fix a large hole or puncture in your camper by wrapping a piece of cardboard with aluminum foil. Put aluminum duct tape on the edges and seams. Apply roof sealer to the edges of the cardboard and place it over the hole. Secure the cardboard to the camper with more aluminum duct tape to hold it in place.

    • 3

      Repair leaky roof joints by removing the molding, rusted screws and the insert inside the joint. Wash off the putty that squeezes out of the joint onto the camper. Put a new vinyl insert in the joint, and cover it with a strip of 1-inch RV putty tape. Lay the molding back onto the joint and secure it with new screws.

    • 4

      Repair small pinholes on interior camper walls with simple liquid correction fluid. Lightly sand the area by hand when it is dry, for a finished look. Repair larger damage in the walls with drywall filler, and sand the area until smooth when dry.

    • 5

      Prevent awning leaks by filling each awning strip screw hole with caulk, one at a time. Replace each screw. Seal the awning support arm plates and the horizontal strip with two layers of thinly-applied caulk. Let the caulk dry between layers.