Exterior pin box sealing

[Daryles]

Has anyone dealt with sealing around the pin box? (hope I'm using the correct term).
While washing mine I noticed there is a 1" gap that hangs down. You can see the fiberglass insulation behind my finger. Around the perimeter it is not well sealed either.

[Mikendebbie]

I do not have gaps that big but I have been eyeballing that soffit panel since it was new. It is wavey and obviously not glued or vacuum bonded. The wavey look has gotten worse with time, but so far it’s not a real problem. I have been waiting for someone to post questions about it so I could understand better how to determine if the wavey is normal/ok plus what can be done if it sags and becomes an issue. I have no idea what the framing looks like above, and until I understand that I don’t want to add fasteners with washers unless I know I am hitting structure or framing. Keystone did not seal the perimeter with silicone so not sure I would add sealant without understanding the design better. The panel looks to be similar to FRP (fiberglass reinforced panel). FRP is used in (for example) gas station and convenience store toilets quite often, but those panels usually have a slight bumpy texture...not flat/smooth like the montana soffit panel. FRP is glued to the Sheetrock walls and has plastic trim applied over the joints and edges. The Monte soffit panel probably has more fiber reinforcement to give it more lateral strength than FRP.

[psomers]

I also have the front sagging. Mine is so bad the front compartment door is difficult to latch. The door hinges up. The screws out in center of panel is screwed to something but what ever it is screwed to can be pushed up close to an inch. I have an endoscope but haven't used it yet. Letting shoulder surgery heal.

[prndl]

When we were in Rapid City, SD a couple of months ago we saw several long term 5th wheel trailers that had that area all insulated and taped up. It must be a way for heat to escape in the winter. Come to think it must also be a way for air and dirt/dust to enter the front cavity while towing. I think I will look into sealing that area.

[Mikendebbie]

I need to correct a few things in my previous post. Sometimes going by memory don't work like it used to...so I went out and looked at it.

The panel is one piece and it covers the soffit and the front bulkhead face.
It is secured on all edges by a gasket and it is caulked to the gasket all around - except at the pin box cut out. There are a few screws in the soffit - none in the front bulkhead face.

I probably need to tighten a few of my screws (one pic shows a screw that needs tightening). The other two pics show the wavey look of my panels. Fortunately the panel seems to be pretty tight around the pin box cut out - no waves or warps.

[beeje]

Obviously, no water is going to get in there while the unit is sitting. Some may enter while driving in a good rain, but not much. I would not worry too much about it. Besides, if its sealed, there would be no way for any moisture to get out.

[Jetson]

I slipped pipe insulation over the edges of the panel. Not a tight seal, but much better.