Inquired to a long time trusted support source at HWH support about patching or replacing the bladder due to a small leak on my LR slide out. Felt it important to share his response for the benefit of the forum members facing this issue.
Following some discussions with a few RV repair dealers within reasonable driving distance; I got repair cost estimates ranging from $3,000 to $4,800; therefore to minimize risk of disappointment, I've decided to go with what I felt to be the most reliable trusted source and take the long 800 mile trip to HWH in Moscow IA. Now waiting for a cost estimate from them at this time before finalizing my travel plans. Also looking forward to feedback comments from our members.
Here's the reply from HWH quote:
"The only thing you can do to fix that is to replace the air seal, the air seals can not be repaired.
The other thing that you will need when you replace the air seal is a replacement vacuum manifold, the new vacuum manifold has a check valve in it to hold the air seal down when it vacuums it down, because a few years ago we changed the design of the air seal. The old one is molded in the flat position and the new one is molded in the inflated position and if it goes to ambient pressure it will rub on the room as it goes in and out and could scratch the room."
Have coach 5878 and that is what was required, MOT replaced the seal and block.
As of at least a year ago, slide bladder replacement requires manifold replacement
Bladder Repair with Delamination Prevention (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=29068.msg245319#msg245319)
That is correct and the manifold is about $800.00 on top of the bladder.. had both replaced last year
I had my bladder replace at MOT a year and half ago and no one mention that I need to update my manifold.
Another thing to add to my maintenance list, 😕
May have not been the new bladder and so not need the new manifold? I would ask MOT to be sure.
Ours was done fall 2016 and was new bladder and manifold block
New bladders require the new manifold as per FOT, MOT, OTM, and HWH. Not sure when the new bladders came into effect, but Feb 2017 we needed the manifold w living room bladder.
Had my bedroom slide bladder replaced at MOT in May of this year. They made no mention of need to replace vacuum manifold.
Does anyone have the HWH part number for the new manifold?
Jim, I had our bedroom bladder replaced two months ago at Temecula Valley RV and the manifold was replaced also. Was not an option, HWH will not replace any bladder without also doing the manifold. Part number is RAP92177, price was $620.00
Makes sense for the default position to be sealed instead of vacuumed.
That might be worth a new mainfold...especially for someone with the air leak problems we had in the past.
OK, I think I have cleared up some confusion. I reported that MOT did not mention anything about replacing the vacuum manifold during my recent bedroom bladder replacement on 2003 U320. Others, with the same year coach, have reported that they HAD to have a new manifold installed. So what gives?
From the part number Richard gave for the new manifold, RAP92177, I have been able to trace through the online HWH documents and found the following.
From this web page HWH Parts Manual (https://www.hwhcorp.com/ml11428qr_010.html), you can see that five different manifolds have been used for the air seals. Four are obsolete. Looking at the manifold drawings, all five look almost identical. Mostly just some plumbing differences. However, the RAP92177 (aka, AP26571) shows a vacuum switch installed in the outlet. It is this switch that prevents the slide from being moved unless there is a good vacuum on the bladder. This insures that the bladder is collapsed before the slide can be moved so there is no rubbing on the seal which could damage the seal and the coach paint.
I just looked at my manifolds and both have the vacuum switch. As I bought this coach used 3 years ago, I have no information on what might have been done to slide system. Perhaps the previous owner had the manifolds replaced. However, I looked at the instructions for the HWH system on my coach and the drawings show the bladder manifolds with the vacuum switch. But I do not know if the documentation I have is original - it may be for newer coaches.
Anyway, the bottom line is look at your bladder manifold. If it has the vacuum switch on the outlet, then you have the correct one.
If you don't have one I guess they won't just sell you the switch?
Got a picture Jim?
Just installing the switch is not a solution. You have to have the electronic control board that the switch plugs into. My guess is that the $620 buys you the vacuum switch and the electronic control board. Just a guess. An image of the air manifold with vacuum switch can be found here Current Air Seal Manifold (https://www.hwhcorp.com/mr054803.pdf)
Also, to clear up a bit more confusion. 2003 FT's were made with several different air system configurations depending on how many slides, what type of slides, tag axle or not, etc. And, to make it more confusing, there were slight differences in systems for coaches having identical slide/tag configurations. My coach has a living room slide, a bedroom wardrobe slide, and a lifting tag axle. The corresponding HWH air system is AP26518. Looking at the documentation on this web page HWH Foretravel Configurations (http://www.hwhcorp.com/foretraveldiagrams3.html), shows there were two different air systems used in the AP26518 system. Along with some plumbing differences, the air seal manifolds are different. Some have the now obsolete AP20078 manifold and some have the current AP26517 manifold.
I want to say the added vacuum was done within the last year to year and a half. Bladders on my coach had been replaced in 2010(approx). It is a must, now. ..I replaced mine last year in october. HWH said no warranty without the new valve assym