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Topic: Do Foretravel slides seal better? (Read 703 times) previous topic - next topic

Do Foretravel slides seal better?

I'll be spending much of my rv time in the California desert with blowing winds, sand and dust. Are the inflatable slide  seals of the Foretravel superior to the seals used on other coaches? (I'm interested in the early years of the slides, 2000-2005).
Scott Peatross
2003 34' U270
Stevenson Ranch, CA

Fearless ex-owner of one of the most complex motorhomes ever built, the 1987 Bluebird Wanderlodge PT40 :)

Re: Do Foretravel slides seal better?

Reply #1 –
As I have read, I see two main types of slide seals.  There are many that reported this last winter how much cold air was coming thru the fixed wiper style of seals.  When the owners of the SOB looked more carefully they discovered gaps and light under and around the wiper style on their coaches.  The air bladder type seal systems on the Foretravel, Prevost, Newell and a few others seems to be used by the high dollar coach builders.  Would seem the air bladder systems should work better while the coach is in motion.  The very small gap between the slide and the bodywork sure look better to my eye than the outside slide flanges I see being so common as well.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Do Foretravel slides seal better?

Reply #2 –
Works well in bad weather.  Rode out huge winds with the bladder but the slide awning was popping too much so brought them in. No leaks when in at all. Rode out driving thru a hurricane too. There was no leaks.  I would say they work fine. Never owned the other style so can not say how they work.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Do Foretravel slides seal better?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: John S –
Works well in bad weather.  Rode out huge winds with the bladder but the slide awning was popping too much so brought them in. No leaks when in at all. Rode out driving thru a hurricane too. There was no leaks.  I would say they work fine. Never owned the other style so can not say how they work.

Interesting John about the slide awning making too much noise, hadn't thought about that issue. I could see that keeping me awake all night. What is the purpose of the awning? What if it was removed?
Scott Peatross
2003 34' U270
Stevenson Ranch, CA

Fearless ex-owner of one of the most complex motorhomes ever built, the 1987 Bluebird Wanderlodge PT40 :)

Re: Do Foretravel slides seal better?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: frozenh2o –
Interesting Dave about the slide awning making too much noise, hadn't thought about that issue. I could see that keeping me awake all night. What is the purpose of the awning? What if it was removed?

The purpose is to prevent water, snow, and debris such as leaves from landing on top of the slide.  I can see with a non_foretravel flange seal slide, this would be a problem as the flange would trap any water/debris that happens to be there.  With our flush slides, there is no trapping, and a well-functioning rubber squeegee on top would probably shove all that stuff right over the slide when the slide is retracted.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Do Foretravel slides seal better?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Tom Lang –
The purpose is to prevent water, snow, and debris such as leaves from landing on top of the slide.  I can see with a non_foretravel flange seal slide, this would be a problem as the flange would trap any water/debris that happens to be there.  With our flush slides, there is no trapping, and a well-functioning rubber squeegee on top would probably shove all that stuff right over the slide when the slide is retracted. An in-need-of-replacement squeegee, like I had until a week ago, would allow all that water and debris inside the coach when the slide is retracted, not good.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer
 

Re: Do Foretravel slides seal better?

Reply #6 –
Only in winds over 25 mph does it even flap a bit but we were in the 60s so I took them in
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon