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Renault Trail finder

9K views 10 replies 4 participants last post by  escalerob 
#1 ·
Trail finder

Hello there,
I have just joined this forum in the hope that someone can convince me that i haven't made a huge mistake by buying a renault trailfinder camper. My partner, being an art teacher, fell in love with its "quirkiness", however i just find it weird looking. I now have leaks, where water gets in through the bottom of the rubber seals on both big side windows. Please, please, please if anyone knows anything about these strange vehicles can you please contact me so i can stop trawling the inernet looking for spares. Having said all that, if i know i can get bits and bobs for it, i might grow to love it and restore it to a retro funky little camper. Ever hopeful, Dave
 
G
#2 ·
That's an unusual one....I don't think I've seen one of those before.

It's based on the Extra van (iirc this was based on the Renault 5), so that might broaden your search for some parts in the future, but I doubt it will help with the windows.

Do you think that it's the seal around the frame that's leaking or is it coming from somewhere else? Perhaps a photo of the area might help members advise of a possible fix
 
#4 ·
Cheers Pat? Thanks for the advice and the van that someone is breaking, however a bit far for me to go..but many thanks anyway. The water is coming in on the outside of the window, at the bottom where the seal meets the glass and over time is has perished slightly and water is seeping in and coming up on the inside of the seal. I have tried running some clear silicone over it but apparently it doesn't adhere to glass and still lets water seep in. I think there is a sealent that windscreen fitters use that might seal it, or i should just take the unit out and get new seal, but where from? I will perservere and overcome, i am sure people have had bigger problems than this!!!
 
G
#5 ·
No problem :)

A smear of silicone grease my keep it waterproof until you can do a more permanent fix, but obviously if you go down this route then nothing will stick to it leaving a replacement seal as your only long term solution.

If your looking to seal it then one of the other Mods is a smart tech, and regularly raves about a product called Tiger seal. I'll point him in this direction :)
 
#6 ·
I am new to this site and if i am repeating this thread then i apologise. I have just bought a weird looking camper van, that my partner Sally fell in love with and i am still not sure about, and need to know if there is a small remote corner of the country where i may get spares for it? Long shot this one, but i would like to "do it up" and restore it to its former pride and joy but just need a helping hand to get me started. Cheers Dave Ps Its full name is, i believe, a Renault Stimpson Trail Finder. It was buitl on a 1991 Renault Extra van, with a fibreglass shell added on the back. It has a 1100 petrol engine. I will add photos shortly. Please help restore this to its weird and wonderful original state.
 
#7 ·
If it's the two windows in the rear of the van then you might be better off having a camper or caravan specialist look at it,or even a windscreen fiting company.I'm guessing that there is a rubber channel seal around the window like on an old style windsreen,I suspect that there should be drains in the frame and these have become blocked.If this is the case,no matter how much silicon you use you won't cure the problem unless the window is taken out,the drains cleared,and then the window refitted.
 
#9 ·
Hi there.

Tiger Seal is a very useful product, however a few tips about this particular application;

1. Be strategic about where it is applied - it will spread out a little when compressed, and will bond whatever it comes into contact with.
2. Bearing the above in mind, I would suggest that once the adhesive has been applied, that the window is closed, with a sheet of newspaper covering the bottom of the opening. Otherwise any errant seal may come into contact with the bodywork and prevent the window from opening (or mean that the rubbers are ripped, whilst trying to open the window).
3. Do this on a dry day, and allow the adhesive a few days to set - it remains flexible (ideal for applications where a degree of movement is desirable), but will form a very strong bond.

Best of luck, and if any spills, some thinners on a rag will remove it.

Hope that helps,

Paul (thanks Pat, for the heads up:d)
 
#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hello there,
I have just joined this forum in the hope that someone can convince me that i haven't made a huge mistake by buying a renault trailfinder camper. My partner, being an art teacher, fell in love with its "quirkiness", however i just find it weird looking. I now have leaks, where water gets in through the bottom of the rubber seals on both big side windows. Please, please, please if anyone knows anything about these strange vehicles can you please contact me so i can stop trawling the inernet looking for spares. Having said all that, if i know i can get bits and bobs for it, i might grow to love it and restore it to a retro funky little camper. Ever hopeful, Dave
Dave - I've bought a similar camper and feel a little as you did/do? No leaks on mine other than diesel fuel from some where/thing near top front of its engine. The Renault Stimson Trailfinder was designed by Romahome designer Barry Stimson hence the similarities. Visit - http://www.stimsondesigns.com. to see his current designs for unique leisure vehicles and boats. Also Google, Leisure Vehicle Developments (I.o.W.) as they seem to work together and perhaps made our Trailfinders(?) 'Capt. Tolleys Creeping Crack Cure' is an 'invisible' clear liquid that penetrates and seals leaking boat windows even when wet from rain/spray. The side window seals on my Trailfinder are hardening and may need attention someday. The leading edge mastic seal between GRP overcab roof and the Extra cab roof may need redoing soon. The underbonnet leisure battery tray has corroded on my car leaving a fist size hole to make good at just 66K miles. The R5 seems extremely tinny, plasticy and primitive but it seems to work! Despite the hole mentioned both headlamp reflectors are rusted on my camper. Am surprised that it got a new 12month Mot from a reputable garage. Can someone please tell me if any Renault 5 car headlamp for 1991 (R5 Mk 2/Super?) also fits the Extra van? There are plenty of headlamps for the GT version; did that use identical units too? Dave - have fun with your Trailfinder. I've never had so many villager's stop to ask about mine :) Rob.
 
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