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Topic: Rusty slide (Read 646 times) previous topic - next topic

Rusty slide

2003 295u 36 foot

When we bring in the slide after there has been some recent rain, a rust mark is left on the carpet at the end by the driver's seat. Any bright ideas as to cause and solution? At this point we are thinking to replace carpet with some sort of hard surface flooring.
Thanks
Ron

Re: Rusty slide

Reply #1 –
Where is the rust coming from?  I'd be looking as the slide is all fiberglass on the outside.  Got some pics?
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Rusty slide

Reply #2 –
Just worked on my 03 U320.  There is square tubing around the inside face of the slide. In our case the seal was not making good contact due to the sagging of that tubing and water was finding its way in and rusting the tubing. 
2003 U320 40 AGDS Build 6157 161K miles

Hampstead NC

Re: Rusty slide

Reply #3 –
I may have the same issue.  During some heavy rainy days in Sturgis last month, I saw some wet spots on my front carpet and rusty spots after having the slide in.  I'm just going to start taping the slide seal gap with no-residue duct tape when parked for more than 1 night, especially if it may rain, just to make sure no water gets in.
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Rusty slide

Reply #4 –
Quote from: WS6_Keith –
I may have the same issue.  During some heavy rainy days in Sturgis last month, I saw some wet spots on my front carpet and rusty spots after having the slide in.  I'm just going to start taping the slide seal gap with no-residue duct tape when parked for more than 1 night, especially if it may rain, just to make sure no water gets in.

Backer rod (the round foam insulation) might be a more convenient, reusable option.

Early on in our ownership of our 2003, we had a little bit of a water problem on the leading edge (by driver's seat) of the LR slide.  I don't recall what the repair involved (it was still within the 3 year/36K new coach warranty), but FT "redid" the small fixed window in the slide end.  We never had a water issue again.  That would be a place to start looking for rainwater intrusion.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Rusty slide

Reply #5 –
If you remove the carpeted bolster inside at top of slide, you will find some bracing for the tubing at the center that will give you some adjustment to the support.  You will not get much, but it maybe enough to slow down the water intrusion.  Because of the dip in the support tubing in that area, the sweep will not keep up with the water that collects on top.  So it is a good idea to remove the water from the top of the slide before bringing it in.  You can dip the coach or tilt it to remove the water also, just be sure you do not twist your coach.  My coach does not leak normally with the slide out or in, but if there is water on top of the slide it will overcome the sweep and come into the coach when you bring the slide in.  Be careful, the bolster is heavy as it is made with carpeted 2x8 (I believe) wood beams.
Herb and Willie
Escapees 90802
2014 IH-45 Build 6581
2002 U320 40' AGDS Build 6021 Sold
1999 U320 36' No Slides Sold
2007 Monaco Dynasty Diamond IV Sold
2005 Discovery 39 Sold
1986 20' Wilderness TT,  Died a natural death after floods, etc.
Walldog's Journeys
And Willie Said

Re: Rusty slide

Reply #6 –
By the way, just because it has not rained do think that you can ignore the top of the slide.  My front AC will over come the gutters and fill up the top of the slide with condensation during use.  I probably should replace the canvas material that attaches the slide awning to the coach body under the gutter.  It may help with this issue.
Herb and Willie
Escapees 90802
2014 IH-45 Build 6581
2002 U320 40' AGDS Build 6021 Sold
1999 U320 36' No Slides Sold
2007 Monaco Dynasty Diamond IV Sold
2005 Discovery 39 Sold
1986 20' Wilderness TT,  Died a natural death after floods, etc.
Walldog's Journeys
And Willie Said

Re: Rusty slide

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Backer rod (the round foam insulation) might be a more convenient, reusable option.

I have used backer rod for my bedroom slide, which has a ripped seal.  While it fills the crack, it didn't stop water intrusion, so duct tape it is.  :)
Keith
2003 U320 38' #6197

Re: Rusty slide

Reply #8 –
Is water getting into the basement? I'd be worried about that too.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Rusty slide

Reply #9 –
Make sure the top and bottom of your slide is clean.  We had water intrusion and I couldn't figure out the leak.  It turned out to be a dirty top of slide and that caused the seal to not be watertight. 

I clean the top, bottom and side of the slide every month or so when its out.  Then, after bringing it in wipe it down on top and sides where the seal makes contact when extended.  After cleaning, it should be smooth when you run your hand over the fiberglass.  Haven't had any issues since.
Joe Phebus and Jaime Trujillo
2002 U270 3410  Build: 5953 Motorcader # 18595
2100 W Solar, 600 AH Battleborn Batteries,  Victron Multi-Plus II 3000 Inverter, Cerbo GX, & MPPT Chargers
1992 Geo Tracker

Re: Rusty slide

Reply #10 –
Same issue on my 03 U320.

Removed the bolster on the top of the slide room.  It's easy to remove but you need two people due to the length and one piece construction.

With the slide extended you can perform the credit card check on the top of the slide/seal to see what adjustments need to be made.

Retract the slide.

The square tubing that is causing the rust is exposed. If you run a tight string from end to end you can see the bow.

There are two "brackets" bolted to the top of the tubing that have spacers underneath. You can remove spacers to get the bow straightened out when the slide extends. Use washers for fine tuning.

FORETRAVEL apparently learned on prior models that the bowing was a possibility over time. They did a good job making this adjustment possible.

On mine the bow disappeared after extending the slide 4 or 5 times.

If the room is catching on the brackets when you extend it you have removed too many spacers.

Perform credit card check after adjustment to ensure tight seal.

Clean the slide top while you are at it.

 Mine had some additional warping of the fiberglass  that required 3 more PSI in the bladder.

The whole job took an hour with a helper.

No more leaks.
2003 U320 40 AGDS Build 6157 161K miles

Hampstead NC