Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 13, 2025 ...

rain water comming into coach from slide

October 11, 2011, 12:42:10 am

Has anyone had this problem and what was the fix?  With my slide fully extended, bladder inflated, slideout side of the coach slightly tilted and on the leeward side of the weather, I still had water to leak into my storage cabinets, (about a gallon or more, no small problem).  Has anyone ever had a problem of this type and what was your fix?  Thanks for anyone's help.

Don

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Re: rain water comming into coach from slide

Reply #1 – October 11, 2011, 04:10:16 am

Check your slide pin holes if you hsve them on a 2002. I know by 03 they were gone.  If you have then try some duct tape over them and see if it stops it.  If it does then that is an easy fix. Also check and see if you have enough air in ne bladder.  It does not take much, about 12 lbs but look and see if there area any gaps or pine needles under it.

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Re: rain water comming into coach from slide

Reply #2 – October 11, 2011, 08:54:05 am

We had an issue with water coming in from the slide pins.  This is an issue with 02 coaches and all you need to do is silicone around the locking pin holes.  This most likely will need to be done every 3-5 five years. 

Duct tape will work as a temp fix. 

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Re: rain water comming into coach from slide

Reply #3 – October 11, 2011, 11:58:04 am

I don't have a slide so I am not sure what you guys are talking about but if the holes need to covered maybe some Eternabond tape instead of duct tape will provide a more permanent fix. (short of some fiberglass cloth and epoxy)
Good luck,

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Re: rain water comming into coach from slide

Reply #4 – October 11, 2011, 01:39:02 pm

No, you can't cover the holes compeletely.  It's the area around the holes that gets the silicone.  it's where the locking pins lock the slide into the coach. 

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Re: rain water comming into coach from slide

Reply #5 – October 11, 2011, 02:19:44 pm

Where are the slide pin holes located??  Might need to ck mine.  Tks DAN

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Re: rain water comming into coach from slide

Reply #6 – October 11, 2011, 03:46:11 pm

Dan, they are located on top of the slide.  It's a pain to get to them as the awning covers them.  But if you run your hand over the top of the slide while on a ladder, you should feel a hole about the size of a quarter or more.  This is where the locking ping rests when in the slide is in and locked.  I think FT just used silicone around where the hole meets the slide.  Over time the silicone pulled loose on ours and allowed rain water into the slide.  We check ours about every year or so. 

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Re: rain water comming into coach from slide

Reply #7 – October 11, 2011, 07:41:40 pm

Tks TXFORETRAVEL for the info.  will put that knowledge in the old info book for future use.
DAN

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Puck light water leak repair

Reply #8 – August 10, 2013, 05:46:07 pm

I have not tried to research this for prior discussion, so sorry if takes your time with a repeat.

A friend had water coming from a puck light over the sofa (for a slide coach) after a rain.  I recalled that the slide has a "block" in which a pin secures the slide in place when closed but that the block and pin hole of course is exposed when the slide is out (there is an awning over it but offers no real protection).  In the bottom of that block is a drain tube that carries any rainfall out the bottom of the hole in the block, draining it on out of the bottom of the slide.  I figured that drain tube might be plugged.

I called MOT Mike Rodgers to confirm my diagnosis as I was going to see if the drain tube might be plugged.  Mike said the mostly likely culprit would be the seal between the block and the fiberglass top of the side.  Using his method, the fix is to apply some silicone to the joint of the block and the slide, in essence resealing that joint. 

A neat solution if the next rain proves this was/is the entry point of the water that got to the puck light.  One caution that Randall and I offer, be sure to not let the awning sag onto the silicone while it dries.  We guess you would have the awning glued into place, not good when you close the slide.

MIke

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Re: Puck light water leak repair

Reply #9 – August 10, 2013, 05:51:17 pm

Mike,

Is this the same issue mentioned here?  rain water comming into coach from slide

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Re: Puck light water leak repair

Reply #10 – August 10, 2013, 11:05:08 pm

yep, that is it.  What I do not know, maybe you can add, are those locking pin holes/the block only on the 1999 - 2001 models or do you have those on the 2002 - 2003's?  But that seems to be the same, described in the thread you mentioned, as what I found on Randall's 1999 and is on our 2001

thanks

mike

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Re: rain water comming into coach from slide

Reply #11 – August 11, 2013, 11:39:23 am

The pins are only on the first generation slides.  Also look next to the pin. Sometimes the computer gets confused and throws a pin down thru the fiberglass.  Do not ask how I know that.

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Re: rain water comming into coach from slide

Reply #12 – August 12, 2013, 12:03:15 am

Our water leaks were due to broken zip ties that were between the top of the extended slide and where the air bladder makes the seal.  Removed the inside header and saw the zip ties laying on top of the slide. I removed 3 broken zip ties - placed some new one on wires where it looked like they needed to be.  We also replaced the slide wiper material.  Ordered the wiper material from FT - I think $20+/-.  No more leaks.

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Re: rain water comming into coach from slide

Reply #13 – September 05, 2013, 03:46:53 pm

Update - Rained last night and got some moisture on the header of the slide.  Pulled the header off this AM and tracked the water to Locking pin holes.  It appears that they were elongated and the surface was scratched/dented (1/8th" to through the surface) past the point where the bladder seals with the top.  Shoulda taken a pic. The dent in the surface was about 3" long.  I do not know if I caused the damage or if it was done prior to our possession.  I effected the repair by cleaning out  and around the gouge and cleaning the surface area.  I purchased a thin plastic sign from the depot and a tube of 5200.  I cut the "patch" 2" wider and longer than the gouge and put numerous beads of the 5200 on top of the slide and also on the patch.  I placed the patch and spread the 5200 from the center of the patch outward, spreading the bead under the patch leaving a place for the locking pin to extend.  I also placed a bead on the outside edge of the patch and fared the bead smooth.  The patch is flat.  I have a good level of confidence that my leak problem is fixed.  I will retract the slide inflate the bladder and let it cure until tomorrow night.  My hope is that the 5200 cures and does not stick to the air bladder. 

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Re: rain water comming into coach from slide

Reply #14 – September 05, 2013, 11:56:03 pm

During October 2011, I followed TXFORETRAVEL (Tom & Bill's) instructions to the "T" and I have had no further leaks around the locking pin holes. I do routinely check the pin holes for possible new leaks because that was a lot of water.
By the way, you can remove those water stains with a mixture of white vinegar and water.

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Re: rain water comming into coach from slide

Reply #15 – September 06, 2013, 01:27:04 am

Tom and Bill know of what they speak.  They have offered us a number of good suggestions that led to solutions.  Have not siliconed the holes yet but is on my short list.

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Re: rain water comming into coach from slide

Reply #16 – September 06, 2013, 10:49:22 am

OOPS! DW said to definitely DO NOT use white vinegar and water to remove stains.  But PEROXIDE and WATER does remove water stains off fabric.  Sorry.

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Re: rain water comming into coach from slide

Reply #17 – September 06, 2013, 01:38:07 pm

Thanks for tip on peroxide and water for removing water stains.

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