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Slideout Air Bladder

April 16, 2013, 07:14:58 am

Since we bought the coach in Feb., the 12V compressor would run regularly (every 5-6 hrs).  Being new, I didn't know if this was normal or not but the answer is apparently "not."  Recently the bladder developed a much bigger leak and I now have a appointment at HWH to get it replaced.  The leak is located on the bottom of the slide, right where the slide rides out of the coach on a stainless steel plate.

It appears the cause of the leak is a tear/cut caused by the slide itself.  On the exterior bottom of the slide (on each end) is a stainless steel plate (3"w x 24"l x 1/8"t) that the slide rides on when it extends and retracts.  It appears that in the retracted position, a slide roller rests on this plate while you are bumping down the road.  Over ten years, the outside end of the plate has bent ever so slightly (1/16") down away from flat contact with the bottom of the slide.  That then exposed the very sharp edges and corners of the stainless steel plate, which in turn nicked and eventually cut the bladder. 

It will only take you about 60 seconds to run your hand over the end of the stainless steel plate to see if you have this potential problem.  And about 20 minutes with a Dremel tool and a grinding stone to round off the sharp points and edges if you do.  It might save you a very expensive repair.

I think I have attached a couple of photos (my first attempt at this) to show the location of the problem area but they don't show up when I hit "preview."  We'll see what happens when I hit "post."

Rich

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Re: Slideout Air Bladder

Reply #1 – April 16, 2013, 07:25:30 am

Rich, thanks so mich for this excellent piece of advice. You have explained it perfectly, and thanks for the pics.

I'll be doing the check and possible fix of this potential problem as soon as I get home today.

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Re: Slideout Air Bladder

Reply #2 – April 16, 2013, 07:51:59 am

I have exactly the same problem and was going to create a post on it but you beat me to it.  The curl on mine isn't so much as to touch the bladder now but of course that can change.

Mine is a 2004 model and there aren't any screws at the end of the plate.  Do you know if the screws are original or had been added in an attempt to fix the curl?  (Are the screws on the other plate and on the bedroom slide?)

Did the HWH folks suggest trimming back the curled area?  Also, did you get any idea as to what the HWH solution is, short of R/R the whole plate?

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Re: Slideout Air Bladder

Reply #3 – April 16, 2013, 08:48:06 am

Just a thought here, maybe put a bead of 3M 5200 polyurethane adhesive across that edge (after you clean up the sharp edge). The 5200 is really tough stuff once cured. Drill a couple of holes into the plate first to allow the adhesive to flow into and attach.
good luck,
Rick

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Re: Slideout Air Bladder

Reply #4 – April 16, 2013, 09:36:27 am

Hi Rich,

You have almost the same problem I had. Except, for my 2002 it was due to the two screws that had extended slightly from the outside end of the stainless steel glides. I tried the do-it-yourself repair (send a PM to me for directions or call me) of the small tears at first, but didn't see the cause early enough to have it last. A hint to other owners...examine this area before you too have the problem.

Lonnie the service manager is the man to see at HWH. If they aren't very busy that week, arrive early - ready to let them start.

Hopefully he will be able to push your slide "in" a few inches to do the replacement for far, far less labor... keeping those X1000 coach bucks in you own wallet. On my 2002 coach he had to remove the slide to do it. The newer seals are of a different design and composition, so hopefully it well be the last time for replacement. I've always wondered if the timed exhausting of the bladder before moving the slide is enough to totally deflate it, so once in a while I look for daylight through that space first.

The service building is at the southeast end of the group of buildings. And ask Lonnie about the small motel in the little town about 8 miles north of HWH. It is a decent place to stay during your visit. Be sure to check out the "full wall side" coach the HWH owner is building from scratch. It was still in the tubular frame stage when I was there last summer.

Good luck!
Jim

2002 U320 42'

308-440-5154

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Re: Slideout Air Bladder

Reply #5 – April 16, 2013, 11:16:59 am

Rich,

I am interested in experimenting with a bladder repair - My theory is that these bladders can be repaired successfully by the folks that repair inflatable dingy's for a living. I would be interested in paying to ship the bladder to such a facility for their opinion. Would you be willing to donate your bladder if the damage is relatively small when you get it out?

Let me know your thoughts.

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Re: Slideout Air Bladder

Reply #6 – April 16, 2013, 04:41:45 pm

Larry,

There are screws in both plates and they appear to be original.  My appointment at HWH is on 13 May so no report on how they will do the repair. 

Rick,

I'll talk to them about how to avoid the problem in the future.  I have already ground down the sharp edges.

Jim,

I'll look for Lonnie when I get there.  We have reservations at the Tipton Hotel for the night. 

Tim,

I'll ask for the bladder and let you know.

Rich

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