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Topic: Slide Bladder Treatment (Read 817 times) previous topic - next topic

Slide Bladder Treatment

Been waxing our new to us Foretravel this weekend and rubber residue from the bladders is on the edge of the slides.  My thinking it is a result of the previous owner who lives in Texas and like Florida were we live the summer heat and infrequent slide operation is the cause.

Just read on the Dash Cleaner thread were Protect All Products was recommended.  On the site they sell a Slide-Out Rubber Seal Treatment.  Wondering if anyone puts any type of treatment on the bladders as preventive maintenance?

Gary Mauck
Deerfield Beach, Fl.
2005 U320 40' PBGB

"Elks Care, Elks Share!"

Re: Slide Bladder Treatment

Reply #1 –

  Hi Gary,
    Sorry I can't help specifically with your problem, but I had good results with Was Wax All
    for spot cleaning my coach.
    Works well without water.    Your coach is going to sparkle with that new wax job.
          Hope that helps.  Jim
Jim & Doreen
2003 U320

 "Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen"
― Louis L'Amour

Re: Slide Bladder Treatment

Reply #2 –
I was told by HWH, that that is when the bladder is starting to fail.  It does not mean that it is failing right then but leaving behind parts of rubber is not good and it will need to be replaced at some time. I know I had mine replaced when I had to pull my slides a few years ago and I had those marks but now I do not have any with the new bladders.
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: Slide Bladder Treatment

Reply #3 –
I certainly hope it is not failing.  Mine was replaced by HWH about 18 months ago and I usually have to clean off a little of those black marks anytime I wash the coach.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: Slide Bladder Treatment

Reply #4 –
I wonder if you need to put wax not he slide.  I replaced mine a couple years ago and I no longer have the little black marks.  I also cleaned them off and waxed the area.
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: Slide Bladder Treatment

Reply #5 –
I do wax it.  The marks do clean off fairly easily.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: Slide Bladder Treatment

Reply #6 –
The previous owner took great care of the coach.  I'm not even sure why I'm waxing it because the paint/clear coat looks as good as new.  The rubber residue is minimal and comes right off. 

I'm hoping it is more related to Texas heat and the slides being closed over an extended period of time. My concern and question is if the material the bladders are made of dries out from heat and age.  If so it just seems some sort of rubber treatment like silicone applied periodically would be a way to extend the life.

I sent an email to HWH today asking what if anything can be done to prevent the rubber from leaving a residue and possibly at the same time allowing the bladders to have less friction when operated.  I'll report back on what they say.

Gary




Gary Mauck
Deerfield Beach, Fl.
2005 U320 40' PBGB

"Elks Care, Elks Share!"

Re: Slide Bladder Treatment

Reply #7 –
I too get those black marks. I just wax them off every once in a while.
 Will be interesting to here what HWH has to say about it.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Slide Bladder Treatment

Reply #8 –
Engineering group at HWH said it is not uncommon to see rubber residue from air seals.  As far as using any type of treatment on the bladders, they said DO NOT spray anything on the bladders.  If you want to avoid the marks frequent use is the answer.

They said the air seals should be fine, and if they should fail it will not be due to heat or anything like that, it would almost have to be punctured like a tire. 

Main thing do not use anything on the seals, they said some chemicals do not mix well with the rubber

Hopefully this information helps some.

Gary
Gary Mauck
Deerfield Beach, Fl.
2005 U320 40' PBGB

"Elks Care, Elks Share!"

Re: Slide Bladder Treatment

Reply #9 –
Quote from: GFM –
Engineering group at HWH said it is not uncommon to see rubber residue from air seals.

Thanks Gary that is good to know.  If the black marks indicated that the seals were starting to fail then that would mean that mine have been starting to fail for 3+ years.  On the flip side I do believe that the ravages of time will eventually win - hopefully, just not too soon. 
The selected media item is not currently available.

Mark & Mary Benko
Former coach: 2005 U295 3823
Jeep Cherokee, Honda Fit

Re: Slide Bladder Treatment

Reply #10 –
I know that I replaced mine and the black marks stopped and have not been there love the last three years. I had them prior to replacing the bladder.
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: Slide Bladder Treatment

Reply #11 –
Quote from: GFM –
Been waxing our new to us Foretravel this weekend and rubber residue from the bladders is on the edge of the slides.  My thinking it is a result of the previous owner who lives in Texas and like Florida were we live the summer heat and infrequent slide operation is the cause.

Just read on the Dash Cleaner thread were Protect All Products was recommended.  On the site they sell a Slide-Out Rubber Seal Treatment.  Wondering if anyone puts any type of treatment on the bladders as preventive maintenance?


Smear a very light film of some Dow Corning #4 silicone paste on the rubber.
Good luck,
Rick

Re: Slide Bladder Treatment

Reply #12 –
talcum powder
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT