Replacement slide bladder issue

Topic: Replacement slide bladder issue (Read 1338 times) previous topic - next topic

Replacement slide bladder issue

August 15, 2019, 03:33:32 pm

Our coach is in for a new slide bladder at Temecula Valley RV, CA. I was just told that the new bladder is tighter than the old one and has a ridge on it which catches on the side windows as it moves in and out. The solution that the installer offered was to place a black shim length wise on each side of the window to allow the bladder to move over it. Has anyone had this issue with a new bladder?

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #1 – August 15, 2019, 03:39:34 pm

This is what it looks like.

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #2 – August 15, 2019, 04:34:47 pm

First time i've heard of this. Mine did not need it. Have you consulted with HWH?

Rich

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #3 – August 15, 2019, 04:51:15 pm

My new bladder squeaks. Apparently this is normal. No other issues.

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #4 – August 15, 2019, 06:01:07 pm

Quote from: Rich Bowman – August 15, 2019, 04:34:47 pm

First time i've heard of this. Mine did not need it. Have you consulted with HWH?

Rich

I second this.

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #5 – August 15, 2019, 06:02:42 pm

I have not heard of it either. I would call hwh

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #6 – August 15, 2019, 06:13:19 pm

Are you sure seal is completely deflated? Mine is original, but can slide a credit card around when deflated.

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #7 – August 15, 2019, 06:33:06 pm

It's possible that the vacuum pump isn't removing enough air from the bladder, causing the rib to not retract enough.

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #8 – August 15, 2019, 08:58:26 pm

Quote from: jcus – August 15, 2019, 06:13:19 pm

Are you sure seal is completely deflated? Mine is original, but can slide a credit card around when deflated.

Not sure how much room I have when deflated but seem to be the size of the gap in fiberglass. Maybe 1/2"

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #9 – August 15, 2019, 09:51:53 pm

I believe that there should be daylight all around the slide when the bladder is deflated. The rubber bladder should not be rubbing on the slide when it extending or retracting.

I - second calling HWH.

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #10 – August 15, 2019, 10:31:02 pm

I had the bedroom bladder replaced last year due to age and the living room this week at FOT due to failure of the old one.. The new style bladder retracts completely. If it touches the slide when deflated something isn't right. The manifold has to be replaced on the new type seal, I don't remember the details why.

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #11 – August 15, 2019, 10:47:14 pm

Quote from: Sven and Kristi – August 15, 2019, 03:33:32 pm

Our coach is in for a new slide bladder at Temecula Valley RV, CA. I was just told that the new bladder is tighter than the old one and has a ridge on it which catches on the side windows as it moves in and out. The solution that the installer offered was to place a black shim length wise on each side of the window to allow the bladder to move over it. Has anyone had this issue with a new bladder?

Do you have the new style manifold block required with the new slide bladders?

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #12 – August 15, 2019, 11:29:11 pm

Quote from: AC7880 – August 15, 2019, 10:47:14 pm

Do you have the new style manifold block required with the new slide bladders?

They will change it when they replace the bladder.. mandatory manifold change when needed.

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #13 – August 15, 2019, 11:39:59 pm

Is it any slide bladder change, or just certain years?

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #14 – August 15, 2019, 11:41:28 pm

Quote from: jcus – August 15, 2019, 11:39:59 pm

Is it any slide bladder change, or just certain years?

anyone getting the new bladder replaced that has not had their manifold upgraded will need both.. they will not replace the bladder without the upgraded manifold..

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #15 – August 16, 2019, 12:02:47 am

I am even more confused.
Slide room air seal "bladder" replacement news from HWH

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #16 – August 16, 2019, 07:10:33 am

I had my bladder changed in June at the mothership and was told nothing like this. When the bladder deflates I have probably a 1/2 gap all the way around.. they told me to install the new bladder hwh required the replacement of A manifold, it was$800. From what I know there is NO vacuum pump.. I can get a pic of the gap tomorrow

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #17 – August 16, 2019, 09:02:23 am

The vacuum pump is an air driven venturi built into the slide manifold. You can hear it hissing when you turn the key on to deflate the bladder. It uses the air in the tank first and then the compressor comes on when the tank pressure drops.

Rich

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #18 – August 16, 2019, 10:13:12 am

I have been thinking about a trip to HWH to have them check my air systems. It sounded like a good service and I felt they might be better trained and equipped to do a more in depth exam. When we took delivery, I had questions about the slide and bladder that weren't answered to satisfaction at MOT. The forum has answered most of them, thankfully.
I was also thinking about having the bladder replaced due to its age. I have no problems with it but the feeling is that the change might prevent later problems. I have changed my reason for having it replaced due to what I have read here. An update makes a lot of sense. My bladder opens up if the air leaks out, letting rain, weather and insects in. I like the thought that the "new" design seals with the loss of air. I'm thinking the trip makes even more sense, now.
Not knowing, just guessing, it seems that the OP's problem might be due to the installer not installing the complete system. Not evacuating the air in the bladder would cause the problem he describes. IMHO....
Thanks for the knowledge!
Glen

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #19 – August 16, 2019, 12:53:23 pm

As has been posted before, when buying a new bladder, wether for bedroom or living room, you have to replace the manifold also. HWH won't sell just the bladder by itself.
I don't understand how the new bladder would seal if the air was let out!?

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #20 – August 16, 2019, 04:16:26 pm

I had to purchase a new manifold. The installers talked to FT and didn't get any useful information. They now have a call into HWH.

"We'll see what happens" (I don't like this expression).

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #21 – August 16, 2019, 04:37:52 pm

Quote from: rbark – August 16, 2019, 12:53:23 pm

As has been posted before, when buying a new bladder, wether for bedroom or living room, you have to replace the manifold also. HWH won't sell just the bladder by itself.
I don't understand how the new bladder would seal if the air was let out!?

On mine vacuum sucks the seal flat for slide in and out, perhaps seal is formed so it is expanded with no vacuum, and pressure just increases the seal pressure against slide?

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #22 – August 16, 2019, 06:35:42 pm

I would agree with that. Must have a good vacuum to collapse the seal. BUT, when my living room bladder had a hole in it , I could still run the slide in and out without the bladder catching on those two windows. Bare in mind that was with the old style bladder. Not sure how that would work with the new style. My moneys on not enough vacuum.

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #23 – August 16, 2019, 09:03:19 pm

Given it's a 2000... what are the chances there's a delamination issue with the leading/trailing faces of the slide that could be causing the problem?

Re: Replacement slide bladder issue

Reply #24 – August 18, 2019, 11:34:38 pm

Here is a pic of the gap of the front edge behind the drivers seat and the top corner

Keith

Affiliate Notice