Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 14, 2025 ...

Slide seal

April 04, 2014, 12:10:43 pm

We have a2000 u320 with the one slide. On 2 occasions during a hard rain we experienced a substantial leak from the top of the slide. The last time I raised the other side of the coach & the leak stopped . Does this indicate we need to replace the slide seal? If so is this a large complicated job?

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Re: Slide seal

Reply #1 – April 04, 2014, 12:54:08 pm

First deflate the bladder with slide out and make sure  Is caught between the bladder and the top of the slide

Latter is leaking your 12 V compressor should cycle often

Yes it's a big job recording professionals it will cost about $2000 and should best be done at H.W. H MOT or FOT

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Reply #2 – April 04, 2014, 12:55:26 pm

2000 slide design for foretravel is unique in that the slide has to be removed from the coach with a fork lift to replace the bladder

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Reply #3 – April 04, 2014, 12:56:01 pm

Not likely the slide seal ($3000-up, and I haven't heard of anyone taking on that task themselves) if your onboard compressor isn't running and running incessantly to try to keep it inflated when it has a leak.

There is a slide wiper (about $20 from Foretravel) that goes in a track on the side above the slide.  I just replaced mine which was crumbling on my 2002.

Another issue might be debris on the slide itself interfering with the seal.  While I had my header off, I did a thorough cleaning of the surfaces that come in contact with the bladder.

Those are the only thoughts I have.

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Reply #4 – April 04, 2014, 12:58:03 pm

Before you worry about replacing the entire seal, take a look at the idea that something may be caught under the seal and allowing the leak.  We replaced our seal several years ago. Months after the fact, we had the same scenario you are experiencing.  When we were back at Foretravel, we mentioned that it was only a "sometime" issue and were puzzled.  Wonderful Larry Ratliff of the Remodel Department (who was working on another issue at the time) removed the upholstered header from the interior of the slide and deflated the bladder.  He found 2 remnants of zip tie that had been left when the bladder was replaced.  They had migrated to the area under the bladder and managed interfere with the seal.  When we were in a HARD rain, and water could pool under the slide topper ... oops.  I have heard since that the same thing can happen with pine needles and debris getting where they should not. 

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Reply #5 – April 04, 2014, 01:22:57 pm

Yep. I have had pine needles under my slide bladder that caused leaks. I now pay closer attention when camped in areas dropping pine needles and sweep the slides off prior to retracting.

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Reply #6 – April 04, 2014, 07:58:16 pm

We had broken zip ties between the top of the slide and the air bladder that allowed water to seep in.  Standing on a ladder when the air bladder is deflated you should be able to see between the top of the slide and the deflated bladder using a flashlight. I took a thin piece of plastic and wiped the area clear.  That's when I found the broken zip ties.  I would do this before I removed the header.  If you do remove the header you should not be able to see light between the inflated air bladder and the slide.  Could be a very simple problem.....

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Reply #7 – April 04, 2014, 08:06:13 pm

Here is another possibility. Ours leaks, but seal is fine and no trash. The lamination of the fiberglass siding is a little wavy thereby letting water by in the valley's so to speak. Not sure how to fix. Not an issue until the slide comes in. Just using squeegee for now.
 
You can determine by looking on top under the awning material when slide is out. You will have a visual on the low spots.

Short of taking to FOT and relaminating, there probably is not another cure.

David

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Reply #8 – April 04, 2014, 10:23:03 pm

Dave - The top of our slide is a little wavy too but the air bladder still keeps that water out.  Many suggest you tilt your coach on the slide side to help the water flow off before the slide is retracted.

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Reply #9 – April 05, 2014, 07:53:26 am

I had mine fixedwith new sides and tops but they leaked then. If it is just the living room slide pull the header off and look at your grabbers. I had two and when I added a third in the middle it stopped the leak. The design of our slides over time will allow the middle to sag a bit.  This fixes it while it is out and I usually tip the coach a bit before bringing them in.

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Reply #10 – April 05, 2014, 08:30:30 am

John,

I don't understand the term 'grabber'?  I know how to pull pull header, etc., have never done so though. What does it do and did you install yourself? How does this take the low areas out of the laminate 'wave'?

David

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Re: Slide seal

Reply #11 – April 05, 2014, 10:58:56 am

You should have two on the slide now.  They are about four inch metal plates that grab the top if the slide frame when it goes out. It lifts the slide up tight against the bladder. 

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Reply #12 – April 05, 2014, 11:07:30 am

I believe the pic shows the "Grabbers".  Not sure if that is the correct term.  Mounted on top of the slide mechanism in the middle.

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Reply #13 – April 05, 2014, 12:51:25 pm

Got it.  Pictures clear that up.  Thanks.  David

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Reply #14 – April 05, 2014, 12:55:28 pm

David - As you can see they are adjustable. 

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Reply #15 – April 05, 2014, 04:27:30 pm

I put a third on and it solved the problem.

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