What automotive dust seals to use?

[bundyfamily]

Hi all,
I am looking for some advise as to what type, size , gauge? Rubber seals are best around doors, swing out tailgate under the tent base, where the base meets the top of the trailer, toolbox on the drawbar etc.
I am asking because I have finally taken the plunge and purchased a custom made camper trailer that I found here in Bundy but noticed that there was dust in the pull out draws and front tool box and inside the trailer. And the side storage cabinets. I had a good look at the dust seals and they are just lengths of adhesive foam which over time have compressed causing a memory in the foam and obviously not sealing very well the trailer came with an 80 liter Engel in the front toolbox and I am worried that the dust may damage the fridge.
Your assistance and opinions would be greatly appreciated
I would add pictures but I have not worked out how to do it from the iPad as yet.
Leon & Kellie

[UTE 701]

I will be following this one for sure ...

I thought the only way to keep dust out was to leave the camper at home ! 

[bundyfamily]

I might have to leave it at home, I have been told that I will not get much change out of $2 grand if I have to replace the Engel. 

[Mace]

There are various weather strip profiles available from Clarke Rubber.

I would imagine the 12mm "U" would be about the most popular.

http://www.clarkrubber.com.au/rubber-and-flooring/rubber-extrusions-3/mounting-rubber.html

Not shure if these are "sticky backed"

[bundyfamily]

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[bundyfamily]

Just got the tapatalk app now I can post pics



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[UTE 701]

Wow , nice unit ...

I hope we are going to see it for real at Fraser in July / August ?

Back to the seals .... I have made some success with the rolls of adhesive soft rubber from Bunnings , and yes you are right , over time they become too thin to work any more and need replacing ,  but I guess it all comes down to your tailgate catches . If they are the adjustable ones , well then yes put some rubbers in . But if they are fixed , like mine , any seal makes it very hard to put the pin in the latch ....

[Symon]

I just use the adhesive foam strips - just make sure you use 'closed cell' not 'open cell' foam - you will see the difference because of the price!!

Over time they will squash so you need to replace every couple of years.  Having said that, I wouldn't get too concerned about dust damaging your engel - mine has been totally covered in dust and has never failed me.  When going to the Cape this year it will be out in the open - ie in no box, and I'm not worried.

[Hoyks]

If there is an edge to slip a pinch weld seal over, then they work well. There are a few profiles to choose from. I have this one fitted to the the boxes on the bike and they get no dust in at all. They were designed to have the seal fitted though, rather than being retro fitted.


http://www.ovesco.com.au/products.php?catname=Rubber%20and%20Seal%20Strip&cat=4&sub=19&subname=Pinchweld%20Rubbers


Trimlock rubber strip would be a good alternative if you have a flat surface to stick it to. Again there are a few profiles to choose from, or you could team up 2 different ones to seal better and they won't break the bank.

 
http://www.ovesco.com.au/products.php?catname=Rubber%20and%20Seal%20Strip&cat=4&sub=14&subname=Trim%20Lock

Dust won't hurt the Engel, many line in the back of utes for years with no issues. Mine did dirt roads all the way from Longreach to Cairns, then the Bloomfield Track twice and when we got back to Cairns it had a 1/4" layer of dust on it. It got rinsed clean with rain on the way home and is still going strong.

[gibbo301]

I think the pinch weld would be the best no Clark rubber in bundy but i think there is a rubber place on Quay Street
(nice looking trailer by the way) 

[bundyfamily]

Thanks for you responses swaggers,
Can someone please explain what pinch welding is as I was thinking that it is a bead of weld that is run around the entire edge of the door or hatch when manufactured maybe I am wrong?
Thanks
Leon

[Hoyks]

Pinchweld is the manufactures name for the rubber sealing strip. It is made to fit over a lip of metal or stiff plastic to protect the edge from you knocking yourself on it as well as providing a seal.

If you look at the cross section there are little rubber barbs that grip onto the edge and make it difficult to pull off again. In the tropical  heat, self adhesive strips can un-stick themselves. Pinchweld will still be on there even if the thing burns to the ground .

For that door for the fridge, you could probably strip off the foam seal and clip this stuff around the edge of the door and adjust the latches a bit. When it is closed it will clamp and make a flexible seal. It's a bit hard to see from here though.

[bundyfamily]

Thanks for explaining that one Hoyks,
I was thinking that "Pinchweld" was something completely different, by the sounds of it Pinchweld is the best for keeping out dust and water and for longevity of the seals. Do you have any idea on price for this stuff? Is it obscenely expensive?

[6knights]

You could use some of this, it is a stick on product that needs around a 10mm gap.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Rubber-weather-seal-strip-camper-trailer-tailgate-4WD-/110885514037?pt=AU_Tents&hash=item19d14aab35

BTW..... Is the tent custom made or just the trailer ? why I am asking is do you know what brand the tent is, and how big is the section that sits on the ground when it's folded out?

nice looking unit

regards
Trevor

[Hoyks]

Do you have any idea on price for this stuff? Is it obscenely expensive?

Ovesco, the mob in my link, sell it by the meter and depending on the cross shape it is about $8 or $9 a meter. Self adhesive seal is about 1/2 that.