Rear tailgate door drains plugged.

[WILBA1962]

Hi chaps. Noticed on the van when I lifted up the tailgate a bit of water was inside of the rubber seal. When I looked at the tailgate drain holes the 4 of them where blocked with plastic plugs. These fitted the holes perfectly so must have been an item you can buy. I always thought all drain holes in tailgates need to be open. The holes on our VW touran tailgate holes are open. Why would someone have plugged them with these plastic plugs? I thought they might have been having water ingress past the seal and put them in to stem the leakage. Or am I missing something here guys. Your thoughts please. Chris

 

[Skyliner33]

Hi chaps. Noticed on the van when I lifted up the tailgate a bit of water was inside of the rubber seal. When I looked at the tailgate drain holes the 4 of them where blocked with plastic plugs. These fitted the holes perfectly so must have been an item you can buy. I always thought all drain holes in tailgates need to be open. The holes on our VW touran tailgate holes are open. Why would someone have plugged them with these plastic plugs? I thought they might have been having water ingress past the seal and put them in to stem the leakage. Or am I missing something here guys. Your thoughts please. Chris

View attachment 260769

View attachment 260770

OEM plugs. Come with those in as new.

 

[WILBA1962]

But the drain holes are supposed to let water out. With the plugs won't it keep it in and rot the bottom of tailgate?

 

[Spaghetti]

I pulled the drain plugs out in 2018 and threw them away! It always baffles me why they’re plugged from new.

 

[Salty Spuds]

I pulled the drain plugs out in 2018 and threw them away! It always baffles me why they’re plugged from new.

likewise

 

[007jay]

Glad I'm not the only one. Tonight I opened the tailgate of my ply lined 22 plate swb t6.1 only to have a stream of water come out between ply and panel. I unscrewed the ply and could see water sloshing around and then spotted the tiny plugs. I removed them and now all drained. It's late and dark so I haven't done much investigation as to where it came from. No spoiler, may be something by hinges or brake light sealing however I have always noticed the fit of the handle surround has a slight bulge and gap at top middle. I suspect this is the source but will need more investigation. Is the handle bulging a common issue? Is there a seal around it? The water makes the panel appear damaged but it is not.

 

[Vinyl1210]

Just came across this thread whilst looking/replying to a similar one (hence why it popped up) but thought I'd add my 2 penneth. As above I also have a 2022 T6.1, but mine is ply lines AND insulated and carpet lined. I did the insulation, and sound deadening myself (as I wanted it done properly, before handing it over to a trusted supplier for the carpet lining) and I did the tail gate to death. (see some example pictures below as I photographed my progress to prove to any new owner what I'd done). Anyhow, my belief is that this is caused by condensation build up over time. Agreed, removing the plugs let this drain away, but my OEM fibreboard tailgate liner was always really cold with the odd bit of surface condensation on the interior face in the really harsh winter. This year, during the cold snaps, of which we have had plenty, I've had absolutely no issues at all. My previous T6 and T5 which were 'proper tradies plylined' vans were always damp, especially on the roof, during the cold/freezing winter months. But as I say now, this T6.1 after my efforts has been sorted and no complaints.
So... might be worth people who are having this issue, whipping the tailgate cover off and spending an hour or so insulating the cavity. Appreciate this may not be 'your' issue as there may?? be genuine external ingress, (if I recall the H/L Brake light on my T5 was a source of frustration for ingress) but I certainly feel the cold damp void does not help.
As a side note (which made me think of this), I have a '23 plate MX5 that I own that lives on my driveway. The boot lid on these does not have an internal cover (just bare painted metal), and I get exactly the same issue in the winter months. open the boot, covered in condensation which then runs into the boot lid cavity when you lift it. I'm going to do a similar thing to this as per the 'Bus' to remedy.
just my thoughts/take on the issue??????

 

[roadtripper]

Condensation is definitely a contributor, especially while you are "living" in the van as humans generate a lot of moisture.

If insulating it's worth relying on the old adage "assume water will get in and give it a way out" - warm damp air will find the tiniest gaps to get to a cold surface but as soon as the water condenses back to liquid the surface tension means a lot of small gaps it will just sit in.

So plan your insulation to either have a gas tight seal to the cold surface (so the warm wet air never gets there) or doesn't hold the subsequent liquid water in place to do all the nice rusting...

 

[Kind of Blue]

The other thing that might be of concern is the type of insulation. Things like loose wool can soak and wick it up and may not easily dry out. Closed foam and similar might be better.

 

[Vinyl1210]

Totally agree with both the above comments. TBF I did use Dodo Thermal Fleece which as you are probably aware is a proprietary product for Campervans. (Doesn’t readily hold moisture etc). Also, as it’s what I’ve used in a ‘Commercial setting’ I used foil tape over all the joints in the adhesive Dodo thermal liner. As I say, that’s why I spent the time doing it myself as the devils in the detail.

 

[JimsT6]

I posted about this issue a while ago now.
The reason for so much water buildup was condensation on the rear window. The condensation runs to the bottom of the glass and collects until it finds its way between the inner and outer skins of the tailgate. It then runs down to the bottom of the tailgate where it collects. The small bungs do let the water out until it freezes and then buildup again. When I opened the tailgate it dripped out of the two corner studs, I removed and left them out which lets the water run out freely when tailgate opened.
I have removed the plastic bottle insulation from the tailgate as this was getting wet and holding the water. Still got the closed cell insulation in there. The problem is worse during colder months so I have made a carpeted plywood panel to cover the rear window which has made a huge difference to the condensation.
After a trip away in colder months I run a dehumidifier in the van for a couple of days.

 

[Kind of Blue]

Totally agree with both the above comments. TBF I did use Dodo Thermal Fleece which as you are probably aware is a proprietary product for Campervans. (Doesn’t readily hold moisture etc). Also, as it’s what I’ve used in a ‘Commercial setting’ I used foil tape over all the joints in the adhesive Dodo thermal liner. As I say, that’s why I spent the time doing it myself as the devils in the detail.

The sheep around here seem to like thermal fleece and give it a big thumbs up during the winter months. On the animal because of the Lanolin it does especially well in the wet but boxed in and nowhere to go it might wick as in capillary attraction. If it was bagged that might help. I have no evidence directly and at one time had considered it in my loft but I live in a very exposed location and wet is usually the norm here. Wet with high winds mmm, well it is a risk for me, in a the vehicle might it need a lot of thought. I have seen other thermal fibrous material soaked in a Landrover and it had to be removed because it would not dry and went mouldy including mushrooms!

 

[Wolfy]

I posted about this issue a while ago now.
The reason for so much water buildup was condensation on the rear window. The condensation runs to the bottom of the glass and collects until it finds its way between the inner and outer skins of the tailgate. It then runs down to the bottom of the tailgate where it collects. The small bungs do let the water out until it freezes and then buildup again. When I opened the tailgate it dripped out of the two corner studs, I removed and left them out which lets the water run out freely when tailgate opened.
I have removed the plastic bottle insulation from the tailgate as this was getting wet and holding the water. Still got the closed cell insulation in there. The problem is worse during colder months so I have made a carpeted plywood panel to cover the rear window which has made a huge difference to the condensation.
After a trip away in colder months I run a dehumidifier in the van for a couple of days.

Thanks for the post, I have had a considerable water build up in the gate, only discovered when it dripped from the card fixings... Your finding about the condensate confirms mine , having tried all manner of test. Well its down to common sense now and fitting of window silver screen + Campervan Insulation Roll - Thermal & Soundproof Foam for Campervan Conversion - (L)8m x (W)370mm x (T)50mm for behind the card from B=Q market place. Thanks again for your insight.

 

[JimsT6]

Hi Wolfy and others that read this.
I completely removed the recycled plastic bottle insulation as it did tend to hold the water though obviously nothing like fibreglass insulation would.
I have left the closed cell insulation on the inside of the outer skin and in fairness it is below the bed platform so doesn’t make a lot of difference.
I fitted one of the blind pods that THQ sell which did help reduce the condensation. The carpeted and insulated plywood panel that attaches to the window aperture of the blind pod has reduced the condensation on the rear window still further. Unfortunately I have been ill this winter so haven’t been able to use the camper. Last winter the condensation was reduced enough for me to handle just by leaving the corner plastic studs from the bottom of the tailgate card.
If I hadn’t got a window in the tailgate this wouldn’t be a problem and chances are more insulation would make the van more comfortable.
I’m moving on to the next problem with the van now

 

[Wolfy]

Hi Wolfy and others that read this.
I completely removed the recycled plastic bottle insulation as it did tend to hold the water though obviously nothing like fibreglass insulation would.
I have left the closed cell insulation on the inside of the outer skin and in fairness it is below the bed platform so doesn’t make a lot of difference.
I fitted one of the blind pods that THQ sell which did help reduce the condensation. The carpeted and insulated plywood panel that attaches to the window aperture of the blind pod has reduced the condensation on the rear window still further. Unfortunately I have been ill this winter so haven’t been able to use the camper. Last winter the condensation was reduced enough for me to handle just by leaving the corner plastic studs from the bottom of the tailgate card.
If I hadn’t got a window in the tailgate this wouldn’t be a problem and chances are more insulation would make the van more comfortable.
I’m moving on to the next problem with the van now

Good day Jims` thanks for the post. will bear it all in mind. Trust all is good on all fronts now and bekons. Safe travels.

 

[Sackmycook]

]

After a trip away in colder months I run a dehumidifier in the van for a couple of days.

That a good tip. We also have an electric squeegy thing (Karscher copy) which lives in the van. Try to remove as much condensation as possible in the morning...