Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 09, 2025 ...

2001 Slide riding low

September 25, 2017, 06:22:18 pm

Jackie and I had the coach in shop for minor work, one of which was noise from locking pins.

In the work, Mr Risch noticed that the slide rode a bit low......and this is how he figured it out.  The paint lines on the side of the coach and onto the slide were not exactly matching, the slide paint line was barely noticeable low, may 1/32 of inch or tad more?

One corner of the slide was thus raised to match.  That caused a rattle in the other end of the slide and the paint line on that end was low as well.  Adjusted it up too.  All good. 

Mr. Risch explained this is easy to adjust but not for the amateur to do.  Thinks  it is one of the best slide arrangements.  The adjustment is simple.  There are four bolts that make this side height adjustment, two at each outward corners of the slide, underneath, visible when the slide is extended and adjustable at that point. 

They removed spacers on top at each corner, installed two spacers, and removed two shims from slide room one at each end.    He cautioned...IF one tries making the adjustment with the four bolts, and is not trained, it can leave you with a real mess if you remove both bolts at one end at one time and then try to reinsert the bolts as you change spacers.    (no worry about me doing that!)

FYI

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Re: 2001 Slide riding low

Reply #1 – September 25, 2017, 06:49:35 pm

Keith did that to mine for me as well a couple years ago now.

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Re: 2001 Slide riding low

Reply #2 – September 25, 2017, 08:35:19 pm

If someone was interested, WHERE was Mr. Risch located? Or, Keith?? 

I am having problems with the latches of my slide engaging on my 2001  U320.

Sounds like I need someone who knows what they are doing.

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Re: 2001 Slide riding low

Reply #3 – September 25, 2017, 08:44:16 pm

Keith Risch is at MOT in Nac.
Jim

2002U320

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Re: 2001 Slide riding low

Reply #4 – September 25, 2017, 09:07:13 pm

We had Keith do the same for us.

Slide "Shims"

Same indications, some small misalignment of paint lines when closed.  Tighter to the gaskets in one corner.  It took about an hour. 

I just had a pin lock sensor replaced at HWH.  I was expecting a long and draw out thing.  I was out in about an hour.  The sensors are $75 and are not hard to replace but getting to them takes some work, especially the lower forward one by the fuel tank on the 2001, probably the 99s and 00s as well. Mine was the lower rear, the easiest of them. 

They told me that miles and time and bumpy roads take a toll on these slides.  I had an upper rear that wouldn't latch.  It was just misaligned. He delated the bladder and just pushed on the retracted slide at the top rear from the inside until it was aligned on the outside, it didn't take much and hit the retact button, the pins locked right away.  The bottom one was a sensor, the pins were locked.  With the bladder deflated you can see the pins from the outside (and the upper ones from the inside with the slide in) to confirm they are latched.

On the 2001 and earlier controllers the yellow light is just on a timer (about 40 sec). If you have low HWH tank pressure the bladder may take longer to deflate.  Look at the front and rear edges when it is out and along the top as well when it is in.  You should see 1/4" or more of daylight.  Properly deflated with appropriate clearance and alignment it should not squeal.  If it does a spray bottle with water and a couple drops of soap will reduce the drag on the bladder.

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Re: 2001 Slide riding low

Reply #5 – September 26, 2017, 08:02:57 am

Roger,

You went to BOTH HWH and MOT?? to get the pins right??

Can Keith do all the necessary adjustments??

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Re: 2001 Slide riding low

Reply #6 – September 26, 2017, 09:46:43 am

Glenn, MOT can do

Just in case you missed more lengthy threads on bladder replacement and you have an 01....this may apply to others as well...IF MOT removes your slide as they must to install a new bladder, James Johnson there has done  many slides, as Keith,

And this is what he showed me, i reported before, you want them to examine the seal of the fiberglass edge around the slide opening.  That seal over time can deteriorate and allow water intrusion......that not be good.  So if you have a chance and way to examine that edge, check it.

Re: slide sensor.  This may not be the same as others discussing, but Keith had me assist him adjust a 2002 slide sensor when at an RV park.  My role was to hold valance trim!  The key on an 02 is the slide tilts when retracting.  Some prior shop adjusted the sensor too wide (fully) open to allow for the tilt and thus it often did not fully connect up.  But Keith admonished me, that if I were to do this for someone to be sure to not adjust the sensor gap too small, it would break off in the tilt phase.  Interesting stuff!  (more than you wanted to know Glenn!)

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Re: 2001 Slide riding low

Reply #7 – September 26, 2017, 10:59:47 am

Glenn,  two different events.  Keith adjust the slide position about 2-1/2 years ago.  Silde sensor issue started intermittently over the winter and it failed in May.  HWH showed me how to fix it and what I needed but for $90 I was pleased to have them fix it.

HWH is in Iowa about 50 miles west if Illinois on I80.  It seems like they are pretty close to our way home to MN from almost anywhere.  They fixed a reluctant vacuum solonoid 5 years ago, did a leak check 2 years ago and fixed my sensor this year. Call ahead for an appointment, 3 weeks has usually been enough lead time.

I imagine Keith at MOT could do both as HWH could.  Both were a matter of where I was at the time.  This is HWH equipment, they have the tools, parts and experience.  MOT or FOT can do the work and also anything else you need.

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Re: 2001 Slide riding low

Reply #8 – September 26, 2017, 11:08:58 am

Thanks for the info. The PO installed a new bladder recently. I don't think that is my issue. I think I need some type of adjustment on the slide to allow the pins to engage. Guess I'll fall back and punt.

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