Underbelly Adhesive Tape

Hi folks, I rarely start a post, but mostly hang out in the background reading your comments. Can I just say that I am really impressed with the knowledge of the members on the forum! I always know exactly where I can go to find information I need especially with my little bit of experience of owning a travel trailer.

The question I have is about the tape FR has used to "seal" the seams of the underbelly on my 28 footer. I just got back from Goblin Valley State Park in Utah and noticed that even more of the tape has pulled away from the underbelly material. (BTW, sorry if I am using incorrect terms for this stuff. I hope you can follow my questioning.) At any rate, I went to a well established and "favorite" dealership near my home and asked if they had that type of tape for the underbelly. They did, but a roll of, I believe it was 50 feet, would have cost me $85. Ouch! I had previously tried duct tape on some areas, but it comes off almost immediately when travelling.

Okay, get to the question, Bob! Do any of you folks know what I can use in place of that expensive tape that will adhere to the underbelly? Thank you, in advance, for all of your great advice!! What a GREAT forum for gaining knowledge. Bob

As a side note to this tape problem, I was coming back from Goblin Valley, as I mentioned, and tape was actually holding one of the grey water value cables leading to the value release handle. Of course the handle is only held by a "U" shaped attachment so if not tighten down properly the handle can release from the attachment. Bad design in my opinion, even though I should check these each time I use the trailer. Anyway because the tape no longer held the cable and the handle dropped from the attachment to the pavement, after some time the abrasion from the highway asphalt totally wore the handle off and the rod behind the handle was worn down to what looks now like a pointed spear shape rod. My next question to you will probably be how difficult it is to replaced a grey water value cable when I have an underbelly arrangement going on. Hey, thanks for putting up with my rambling. Bob

I have had great success using Gorilla tape on the underbelly. I think it holds up better than the tape from the factory, and it's a heck of a lot cheaper. You can find Gorilla tape at hardware stores and I think Walmart carries it too.

Sorry I can't help with the valve cable.

Richard, I will certainly give that a try. I really appreciate your response. Bob

Richard Mondavi wrote:I have had great success using Gorilla tape on the underbelly. I think it holds up better than the tape from the factory, and it's a heck of a lot cheaper. You can find Gorilla tape at hardware stores and I think Walmart carries it too.

Sorry I can't help with the valve cable.

X2.... That stuff holds great

That's great. I have a Walmart, Home Depot, and a Lowes all within 5 miles of where I live. I make a visit. Thanks so much.

Bob

I also use the Gorilla tape. One suggestion is to warm it up with either a heat gun or a hair dryer would work also after you apply it. I really makes the adhesive tacky. I even have some on the bottom of my slide and it has been holding tight.

Lograf, Excellent! Thanks for the suggestion. See, I knew all of you folks were experts. Love this forum! Bob

I use gorilla tape too, but I warm it up by putting it in shade, 102º here.

Nice cool day, eh Mark?

I vote gorilla tape as well. I also recommend you clean the area well than clean it with rubbing alcohol. Also apply the tape in warms temps.


Earl

Not that you need another endorsement for Gorilla Tape, but you're getting one anyway. It is very useful, and does a great job.

Tater

Same here Gorilla tape just clean area of all dirt and grease I used the goof off fluid and it takes all the goo off the plastic cover from the old tape. and then the Gorilla tape holds real well after that so far on mine been there for the season and still looks as good as the day I put it on.

Dang!! You guys are great resources for needed information. Thank you all so much for the endorsements and tips for applying the tape. What a great group of friends I feel I have on this forum.

Take care,

Bob

This is covered in another post. Scrim Shield Waterproof Mending Tape is actually what is used by FR. I buy it by the foot. Very expensive if you buy a whole roll. My RV repair shop carries it.

http://www.wildcatcamperforum.com/t3775-adhesive-tape?highlight=Underbelly+tape

It is funny that this post came up. I have to re tape the underside because a dealer/repair shop that worked on my water tank last year (and argued that there was no leaks which was fixed this year by another shop) found it easier to cut the liner across than unbolting it and rolling it up. I had just got a roll of Gorilla Tape last week to try. The idea of a hair dryer is a good one that I had not thought of. That is what makes this forum so great

It's interesting to note that Gorilla Tape seems to be more effective than the tape FR uses. Or used when our Cat was manufactured.

Tater

Scruffy and Tater wrote:It's interesting to note that Gorilla Tape seems to be more effective than the tape FR uses. Or used when our Cat was manufactured.

Tater

Out here on the West coast they use the scrim tape. Some nasty stuff. Needs no hair drier and sticks to just about anything. Never have had a problem with it except when it comes time to get in the under belly. Stuff is not to easy to cut and separate. Buy it by the foot from my dealer. A roll is to much and to expensive.

interesting link to Popular Mechanics article on tape performance

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/tests/4306415

Kim

Thanks for the link. I wish they had tested more tapes, though.

Tater

I wonder how scrim would hold up.

Scruffy and Tater wrote:Thanks for the link. I wish they had tested more tapes, though.

Tater

Howdy Tater,

I'm curious. Are you saying you perhaps know of more tapes out there that might be better than the gorilla tape? Or are you just asking for a better across the board comparison of tapes?

Bob

Just would like to see a more comprehensive report. I'm sure there are other tapes out there that would compare. We're happy with the Gorilla Tape - it does what we want it to do, and very well.

Tater

Gotcha.

BTW, snow down to about 5500 feet today. That's Utah.

I just saw Gorilla tape in WalMart..

be sure and clean the area before applying the tape

Hi,

Thanks for the tip. It is appreciated.

Still sticking to scrim. Hold is excellent and less work to install it.

Dan,

I'm going to check into scrim too. I have to go to the dealership this weekend to check on a new cable/handle for the grey water value so I intend to ask them about the tape. Thanks for your advice.

Bob

If you have a very good dealer and/or repair facility like I have they will stock it and you can buy it by the foot.