Need slide advice

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Need slide advice

June 28, 2010, 07:33:02 pm

We own a 2003 single slide U295 and the slide is becoming increasingly noisy when it goes out. The noise is sort of a squeaking. The top of the slide seems to come out faster than the bottom, but at the end of its travel, the bottom end will come ouf fully. In looking at the space between the slide and the side wall, it looks like the lower front corner may be too close to the side wall. See the photos below. One shows the front bottom and the other the back bottom.

Questions....

1. Does this sound like it needs to be adjusted?

2. Can someone other than Foretravel (we're north of Seattle) do this adjustment with some advice from FT?

3. Would some spray on lubricant help? A brand was recommended in a previousl post on slides.

Any other advice would be welcome.

Re: Need slide advice

Reply #1 – June 28, 2010, 07:58:48 pm

George,

Sorry to hear about your slide issue. It is always something. Here is what I would do.

1) Lubricate the bladder. The slide should not make contact with the bladder, but if it does you want to protect the bladder as much as possible until you get it fixed.

2) In spite of what I said above, I'd stop using the slide out until I got it fixed. What if it sticks and won't operate. If you tear the bladder, kiss at least $2000 good-bye.

3) You can check http://rvservicereviews.com/ and grill them on their capabilities.

4) You can also call HWH in Moscow, Iowa

Re: Need slide advice

Reply #2 – June 28, 2010, 09:49:46 pm

George,
There could be a squeal if the coach is not level and the slide is tweaked higher on one side.
I had to relevel our HWH leveling because of that.
http://beamalarm.com/Documents/foretravel_hwh_leveling_sensor_adjustment.html
I could see one side had more space than the other.

I use Protect all Rubber Seal Treatment on my slide bladder.
http://www.protectall.com/sorlong.aspx

Re: Need slide advice

Reply #3 – June 28, 2010, 10:44:21 pm

Thanks Barry and George.

The coach is level, at least it appears to be as measured by my 9" bubble level. It isn't perfect, but the thickness of a note card at one end of the level brings the bubble very close to center on the level. I measured it on a center line floor tile at the front, middle and back of the caoch. I measured with the level oriented side to side and front to back. I would think it would have to be off more than that to cause a problem.

I'll get some of the Protect All Slide Out Seal Treatment. They have some at the Camping World store in Burlington, WA just to the east of us.

ONE MORE QUESTION.... Is this squeaking a sign that the slide needs to be adjusted?

George

Re: Need slide advice

Reply #4 – June 28, 2010, 11:11:28 pm

Quote

ONE MORE QUESTION.... Is this squeaking a sign that the slide needs to be adjusted?

It could be the slide rubbing on the bladder. The lube should help.
When you have the bladder deflated, see if you can slide a piece of paper thru to see how tight it might be rubbing.
It could be the rubber wiper on top of the slide.
I just replaced both of mine as they were disintegrating.
I can hear it rubbing now.
It could be the scissor arms that move the slide in and out squeaking.

Re: Need slide advice

Reply #5 – June 28, 2010, 11:25:37 pm

Barry.... Maybe some of the noise is the rubber wiper. We had it replaced in February.

I checked the clearance between the slide and the rubber seal when it was deflated. I used a credit card. It is much tighter on the front side than the back side, but it still goes in. I don't think I could get a piece of paper in there.... too tight on both sides, at least down low on the slide.

Can one get to the scissor arms to lubricate them?

George

Re: Need slide advice

Reply #6 – June 28, 2010, 11:46:20 pm

Quote

Can one get to the scissor arms to lubricate them?

With the slide in, remove the accordion material on the side and it exposes the scissor arm.

Quote

I don't think I could get a piece of paper in there.... too tight on both sides, at least down low on the slide.

George , do you have a lot of heavy storage in the slide.
They told me not to load it up as it could make the slide heavy at the bottom.

Re: Need slide advice

Reply #7 – June 29, 2010, 12:18:57 am

We have 61 lbs on the top (rather evenly distributed in six cabinets) and 38 pounds on the bottom (mainly under the couch). Does that seem excessive?

Re: Need slide advice

Reply #8 – June 29, 2010, 12:38:05 am

I was talking about our B/R Slide.
I was carrying 100 pounds of free weights in there.
I see you were talking about the L/R slide.
It is probably more evenly distributed.

Re: Need slide advice

Reply #9 – June 29, 2010, 12:38:23 am

Hi George,
If you are interested in traveling a little, here is one to check out.
Call RNR RV Center in Spokane, WA. They are actually in Liberty Lake.
See if Keith Woodruff is still there. He was the service manager, the last time that I was over there.
He was the service manager for Foretravel when they had their store in Idaho, and then their new store in Liberty Lake. When Fortravel closed the store, RNR picked up Keith immediately. Also, some of technicians went with Keith. RNR is only two blocks from the closed down Foretravel store.
Keith knows the Foretravels upside down and backwards. And add to that, he is a super person, and a man whose word is good as gold. When the store was open, there were people that came from Minnesota, and also some from Texas that would come up to the Liberty Lake store because of the quality of care, both mechanical and personal, that they received.
I drive over there for my work.

Good luck,
LynnD
'01 GV

Re: Need slide advice

Reply #10 – June 29, 2010, 12:43:23 am

Thats where I had my L/R slide Bladder replaced.
Keith was great to work with and knew his stuff.
http://beamalarm.com/Documents/slide_bladder_replacement.htm

Re: Need slide advice

Reply #11 – June 29, 2010, 01:01:43 am

Hi George,
A little friendly advice. When you get the room in, leave it alone until you get it looked at.
When I bought my '01, Foretravel told me that the bladders were designed to be run dry. If the bladder is releasing properly, there is supposed to be a gap of approximately 1/2 inch between the bladder and the wall, all the way around the room.
They told me that if I put any treatment on the bladder, there was the potential for that to start to dry, creating a sticky substance that would hold the bladder to the room wall, thus having the potential of tearing the bladder.
Please don't take offence.

Good luck,
LynnD
'01 GV

Re: Need slide advice

Reply #12 – June 29, 2010, 01:07:21 am

No problem Lynn. Thanks for taking the time to advise.

George

Re: Need slide advice

Reply #13 – June 29, 2010, 10:57:20 am

This morning I got some advice from James Triana. He thinks it has settled and needs to be adjusted. He also said that using some silicone lubricant spray would not hurt until we get it fixed. Looks like a trip to R and R in Spokane is in our future (thanks Lynn).

George

Re: Need slide advice

Reply #14 – July 16, 2010, 07:36:30 pm

The latest on my slide issue.... Well, there may not be a slide issue. I communicated with Keith Woodruff at R and R RV in Spokane, WA. I sent him some photos (see below) of the four corners of the slide and his reply was....

" This does look totally normal – they were all like that – if it is not touching I would not adjust it – they are noisy and somewhat clunky – they only used this slide for a short time."

I began to wonder about adjusting it since the gap at the four corners does not vary that much. How could it be adjusted? Anyway, we will have FOT take a look at it when we go for service this fall and I will continue to keep the outside of the slide well waxed and put some lubricant on the bladder as best I can. I was able to look at the bottom front corner of the slide from the inside with the bladder deflated and I can see a bit of light coming through. Another good sign.

I'm afraid this is just another case of "new owner anxiety." I should add that the forum is a great cure for most cases of this malady!

Re: Need slide advice

Reply #15 – July 16, 2010, 09:59:09 pm

George -

Single slide 2003 U-320

I recently had the same problem and concern about the amount of squealing and squeaking my slide was making.

I was advised to clean the slide all the way around to make sure there was no dirt or stuff to make the noise.
I did polish the bottom, both sides (front and rear) with WashWaxAll, and reduced the squealing by 80-90%.

Now I clean/polish/wax every time I use the slide. I have not been able to do a decent job on the top of the slide working under the slide-out awning, but I'm still trying to get around that.

The only product that I am confident of (safety) to use on the gasket is '303' but I want to talk to somebody at HWH first.

Re: Need slide advice

Reply #16 – July 16, 2010, 11:07:47 pm

Quote

The only product that I am confident of (safety) to use on the gasket is '303' but I want to talk to somebody at HWH first.

I have the same problem getting all the top done also but
I use Protect all Rubber Seal Treatment on my slide bladder.
It is a foam and makes it easy to get inside when the bladder is deflated.
http://www.protectall.com/sorlong.aspx
Daily exposure to the elements, dirt, road grime, air pollutants and the oxidizing effect of the sun's ultra-violet rays can deteriorate your rubber weather seals prematurely. Extend the useful life of all your rubber seals with Slide-Out Rubber Seal Treatment. It produces an anti-static, water repellent, protective film that aids in guarding against premature deterioration while producing a dry, smooth surface that reduces excessive friction and wear on slide-out seals.

Slide-Out Rubber Seal Treatment is non-oily and conditions the seals to make future cleaning easier and quicker. The rich foam application clings to the surface eliminating over spray and waste and is compatible with all rubber seals as well as their adjacent surfaces such as fiberglass, aluminum and vinyl.

A bead of foam stays where you spray!

Re: Need slide advice

Reply #17 – July 17, 2010, 12:47:56 pm

On Barry's recommendation I am using the Protect-All Rubber Seal product on my slide bladder. I put it on (foam) and then work it in with a paint brush, then wipe off the excess.

I also folded back the slide cover behind the driver's seat (when retracted) and lubricated the metal joints of the slide extension mechanism (see photo). I used another Protect-All product for that (slide dry lubricant). The back side of the slide is less accessible, but I think I see how to get in there too. I found both Protect-All products at Camping World.

Good idea to wax the entire slide. I will do that also.

When I talked to Keith Woodruff at R and R he noted that FT used two slide systems in 2003. He thought I had the "Train" type because it has a track grove on the bottom of the slide.

George

Re: Need slide advice

Reply #18 – July 17, 2010, 02:16:21 pm

George, Thanks for the photo.

Re: Need slide advice

Reply #19 – July 17, 2010, 02:41:34 pm

Quote

When I talked to Keith Woodruff at R and R he noted that FT used two slide systems in 2003. He thought I had the "Train" type because it has a track grove on the bottom of the slide.

I have the same slide mechanism.
Mine was the 1st 2003 prototype and yours was one of the last.
So I think they used the same for all 2003.
I wonder if he was referring to the slides on the 2001 which was different?

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