Torn bulb seal
 

Greetings!
I have a 2 foot section of the bulb seal (seals the top section when up, to the bottom section upper rim) torn off. I have the piece, but am not sure of the best way to reattach...or do I get another complete seal?

Any experience on this will be appreciated.

Alan Getts

27 ft Tow Light
2006 Silverado

Welcome to the forum. If you are going to go through all that, you might as well replace the whole seal. The seal is available from JR Repair. Do a search and you can find their contact info.

https://www.hilotrailerforum.com/f61/...ket-repair-91/

https://www.jrrepair.embarqspace.com/

the time you spend trying to fix it incorrectly (patch job) and correctly is almost the same. save yourself repeated headaches and replace the whole seal with a new and updated seal from j & r. also check out your guide blocks to make sure they are o k at the same time

First of all, let me start by saying that I haven't repaired or replaced a Hi-Lo bulb seal, so I am not sure if this will apply.

I have successfully repaired bulb seals by cutting away the damaged portion and splicing in a new section. I've done this with hollow cross section bulb seals and I don't know if the Hi-Lo seal is hollow or solid:

1- Cut away the damaged portion using a sharp razor blade knife. Ensure that you have a clean, straight cut.

2- Cut a length of new seal to fit the area you are repairing.

3- Make a filler to fit inside the bulb. The filler should be 3-4 inches long. You can use a very soft rubber hose that fits inside the hollow bulb section. You can also cut a small length of bulb from a smaller seal, or make a filler from strips of the damaged seal section. The idea is to have something of similar give as the bulb seal inside the bulb section of the repaired area.

4- Get some automotive contact cement, the type used to glue sunroof seals. An auto body and paint supply place should have this.

5- Spread some glue inside the hollow bulb of the old seal and the repair piece, as well as the faces where these two pieces will mate. Spread some glue on the filler piece.

6- Insert the filler into the old seal leaving a few inches sticking out.

7- Glue the repair piece to the old seal by inserting the few inches of filler that are sticking out into the repair piece and pressing everything together. Secure/press together for a while. Let dry overnight.

By doing the above I've avoided removing and replacing long bulb seals completely. The repairs have been permanent. The only downside has been that the bulb seal ends up being a bit stiffer in the repaired area.

Raul

Hello, I have a 1996 Hi-Lo Towlite (18'). I have water damage on the interior walls but only on the rear ~ 4'. Could this be due to water splashing up on the walls when towing over wet roads. Is there a seal that should be in place to prevent this or can one be added? Is that the purpose of the bulb seal? Thanks.