Cold shower CF style

[Gordon]

So how many of you out there in Beddyland have taken a corner in the rain only to get showered by a stream of cold water pouring in through the top of your door??

Before you ask I've got well aligned doors and almost new rubber seals, so I'm figuring the cause lies somewhere else - possibly a design issue. I've noticed combinations of holes / grooves / notches cut at various positions in roof gutters in an attempt to channel the water elsewhere. I spotted a really neat notch on Ray's custom van earlier today that seems to be well placed on the side of the van just behind the door and almost in line with the beginning of the recessed side panel. Seems like a good option but I thought I would get some additional advice before I start hacking in to my pristine gutters.

Would be keen to hear what others think.

[BusyKiwi]

It's sort of a design issue.

A lot depends on the way you park, if you park with front pointing down hill, do your front gutters, if back lower do the rear ones.

If you do the front, a slit on the front corners fixes it (slit on bottom fold), some were added by factory but are often welded up when rusted or are just closed up, or even sealed up.
Back ones can be notched or slit on back corners, don't go over the back doors as water can find it way inside.

[wendyh]

YEEEPPPPP ! Sliders are worse ! 
Also let in cold air too BRRRRR I always have a blanket in van so i can put over my lap and legs to keep warm, as there is a very strong breeze that flows in! only a real dedicated beddy lover would put up with it !
hey i have noticed too that the slamer door windows have a  bit missing out of the top, so there's a little gap even with window rolled up, any notice this and know why its there?

[BusyKiwi]

The window cut out I believe is for the smokers, so can open just a tad to flick the ash out without opening the whole window. Also helps getting the windows in

[Hobbit]

Hi Gordon,

For a better seal, you could try adding a thin strip of rubber along the top of the door jamb.
A vehicle restorer mentioned using a strip of adhesive clear vinyl along the jamb, with a smear of vaseline.

Cheers.

[Gordon]

Thanks for the tip Hobbit,

Busy, I've just double checked and my gutters already have the half moon cut outs at the front corners of the windscreen and a rectangular cut on each side towards the back. I'm thinking of making similar half moon cuts exactly where Ray has them and they maybe looking at an alternative seal like Hobbit has suggested. I have already replaced the standard pinch weld trim around each front door with a trim that incorporated a half round seal. Makes the doors a bugger to shut, but it certainly has reduced the amount of leaking.

[Gordon]

Wendy, I'll post some pics of the extra rubber seal that I have fitted around my door openings in the morning. I've never seen a van with sliders in the flesh, so not sure if it will help you, but it might be worth a try. I bought the seals new but I've seen the same thing on the side sliding doors of the Jap mini vans, so you may even be able to get a cheap second hand piece to try before you splash out on new.

[BusyKiwi]

My white van had holes drilled on the side (same place as Ray's) but parking the van pointing down made the water run down the door gap

[Marishka]

Best idea i seen was cutting front gutter off across front of screen at front corner of front door and
Continuing down front door pillar.

[Gordon]

Okay Wendy, I've taken a few pics for you. This pic is of the standard pinch weld that is usually attached to the body around the door opening. Not sure if this is the same on a sliding door version.