How to check slide air bladder

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How to check slide air bladder

June 08, 2016, 10:16:57 am

We're getting ready to head out to Iowa to purchase a 2000 FT. It has been checked out by two shops: The first, an RV dealer that specializes in trailers, checked the appliances and electrical/plumbing systems, while the second checked out the brakes, tires and air system. Neither is familiar with FT, and isn't likely to have checked the slide out air bladder. How do you check this, other than take a garden hose to it? If there is an air gauge, I suspect you would see a drop in pressure or you would hear the leak.

Re: How to check slide air bladder

Reply #1 – June 08, 2016, 11:35:30 am

On of the indications would be if the 12VDC air pump runs for long periods or keeps cycling.
Lots of info on this subject. Use the "search" window in upper right hand corner of page to help.
Good luck with the coach Sven.

Re: How to check slide air bladder

Reply #2 – June 08, 2016, 11:38:53 am

Turn off valve to bladder, see if it holds pressure (stays firm). There is a valve in bay between the aux compressor system and the bladder. Send me pm with phone number if want talk how find that valve. Also I imagine you not hearing the aux compressor running all the time or even very often? Could be leak at bladder but elsewhere too. Use soapy water in spray bottle better than hose with only water, need ladder to check top. See if credit card easy to slide in between the bladder and the slide wall would indicate a problem

Re: How to check slide air bladder

Reply #3 – June 08, 2016, 02:24:32 pm

In addition to the good suggestions already posted, the issue with slide bladders is not simply sealing weather out (which many/most of the posts seemed to address?). The second set of issues is deflating the bladder to get the slide in.

We have a 1999 U320 with a slide. If we are not careful to quickly (1) check clearance on both ends visually, and then (2) retract the slide as soon as possible, the vacuum — in our coach, at least — is not persistent enough/strong enough to hold the bladder in its flat position indefinitely. We discovered the problem after a stop on the South Carolina coast, when I turned the key to deflate the bladder but then went outside to check something. The bladder lost enough vacuum to touch the slide as it was retracted, preventing it from coming in fully.

We have had Tennessee RV, a former Foretravel factory-owned dealer, as well as Foretravel in Nacogdoches look at this. In theory, the system is functioning exactly as it should. That said, according to a technically-savvy Foretravel owner with a coach the same era as yours/ours (he's on the Forum but seldom posts), the air tank that creates the vacuum in the 1999 is just barely adequate. He added a tank.

We also talked to HWH at the FMCA rally in Perry, GA, last March. They say there is a "vacuum generator" upgrade/fix for coaches our age. I am *COMPLETELY NON-MECHANICAL*, so I have no idea what that means. Other Forum members may. Susan & I have just learned to watch the deflation of the bladder and then retract the slide ASAP.

Finally, you probably already know the orange/yellow light on the HWH key pad turns on based on a specific time elapsed (I've heard 20 seconds?). It is *NOT* a guarantee that the slide bladder is fully vacuumed down against the opening in which the slide must retract. Always visually confirm the bladder has flattened itself against the coach itself, so that there is clearance when the slide comes in.

Members with more technical knowledge/abilities, feel free to correct/elaborate upon this inspection point Susan & I have suggested.

Re: How to check slide air bladder

Reply #4 – June 08, 2016, 02:34:30 pm

After turning the switch in our coach and the light comes on we still hear popping noises for a while...up to a minute. If we retract with the light the squealing and bumping is noticeable. This is the first I've heard of retracting ASAP. As we've just replaced the bladder I would like to know if we are harming it by waiting for a few extra minutes.
Thanks

Re: How to check slide air bladder

Reply #5 – June 08, 2016, 02:43:41 pm

I think in 2002 and later the yellow light is controlled by a vacuum gauge. Before that the yellow light is just on a timer. The "vacuum" (really just lower than ambient air pressure) in the bladder is generated by pressurized air moving across a venturi vent. Air moving by this causes a lower pressure thus sucking air out of the bladder. HWH may actually have a small vacuum pump to do this now. You can get a very nice 12 v vacuum pump from Spark Fun. $15. This is a really fun place to visit, well for some of us anyway. Probably pretty easy to tap into the deflate line.

Vacuum Pump - 12V - ROB-10398 - SparkFun Electronics

If your bladder stays open then there shouldn't be any imperative to be especially quick. but we usually don't wait around too long either.

Re: How to check slide air bladder

Reply #6 – June 08, 2016, 03:06:25 pm

Came home to a hissing sound ! Traced it to the living room slide bladder ,.
Rang my local shop who quoted $7500 in labor plus bladder and tax etc !!!!
Stunned, has anybody had this work carried out lately ? Is that the going price ?

Re: How to check slide air bladder

Reply #7 – June 08, 2016, 04:25:31 pm

Call MOT. Sounds way high

Re: How to check slide air bladder

Reply #8 – June 08, 2016, 04:43:55 pm

Just called Foretravel, total price $3300 minus 10% motorcade discount , so about $3000 out the door.
Foretravel quoted @12 hours local dealer transwest ( prevost dealer) quoted 50 hours !!!

Re: How to check slide air bladder

Reply #9 – June 08, 2016, 05:38:24 pm

MOT in January charge me $3400 to replace the original bladder (all day event), I also was told there has been improvements made with the replacement bladder so maybe it will last longer then original.
I too don't retract until I see daylight on all three sides.
Steve

Re: How to check slide air bladder

Reply #10 – June 08, 2016, 05:50:39 pm

Foretravel is a 2000 mile round trip , they advised that any other shop should be Hwh approved to get warranty .
Will look for something closer but Foretravel may be best option

Re: How to check slide air bladder

Reply #11 – June 08, 2016, 06:03:07 pm

Quote from: Jimmyjnr – June 08, 2016, 05:50:39 pm

Foretravel is a 2000 mile round trip

So? ROAD TRIP

Might as well go to CBC and have the work done right.

Re: How to check slide air bladder

Reply #12 – June 08, 2016, 06:31:46 pm

Just rang extreme and they don't replace the bladder ? I may have my faithful old dog with me so guess I would have to find a motel to spend the day

Re: How to check slide air bladder

Reply #13 – June 08, 2016, 08:50:11 pm

Seems like the 03 coaches are having the air bladders wearing out I have replaced both on our coach and the new ones are much stronger looking

Re: How to check slide air bladder

Reply #14 – June 08, 2016, 09:13:08 pm

If you will be in Iowa, be sure to go to HWH in far eastern Iowa on interstate 80. They are very economical to check your system, possibly even free. You will be very happy with their service.

Been there done that several times. Ask for Ashlie in the in service at 800-321-3494. Great folks to work with. They know the slide system inside and out because they designed it.
Jim

Re: How to check slide air bladder

Reply #15 – June 09, 2016, 01:19:17 am

Jimmy, you spoke of need for a motel to get bladder replaced.....I imagine FOT can do the same, but i watched (curiosity) MOT do the bladder for a coach and it took one day.....the couple stayed in and watched the work. Just an idea

Re: How to check slide air bladder

Reply #16 – June 09, 2016, 11:07:32 am

MOT replaced one of our slide bladders in one day as well. In by 8AM and out by 4:30PM.

Re: How to check slide air bladder

Reply #17 – June 09, 2016, 11:21:09 am

We just had some minor work done at Oregon Motorcoach in Eugene, Oregon recently and I liked their shop, their attitude, and their work ethic. They allow customers access to the shop and technicians. I understand that it is a former Foretravel shop. You might give them a call. PM me if you want more info about them.

Re: How to check slide air bladder

Reply #18 – June 09, 2016, 11:43:13 am

Quote from: Jimmyjnr – June 08, 2016, 06:31:46 pm

I may have my faithful old dog with me so guess I would have to find a motel to spend the day

The 12 hours is man-hours; usually there are 2 people on the job so the job doesn't typically take an overnight. FOT has 2 pet-friendly waiting "offices"; MOT allows pets in their waiting area as well.

Re: How to check slide air bladder

Reply #19 – June 09, 2016, 12:05:04 pm

Sven, if it is holding air that is the best you can do. I know that when Pail had his coach painted the company in IN put the slide and did not check and see if it was stuck to the painted sides. It was and they had to replace the bladder so that bladder in that coach is not too old, probably 6 years or so.

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