Forum Discussion

chrisdd23k's avatar
chrisdd23k
Explorer
Apr 05, 2018

Dealer STILL can't fix slide out HELP

We purchase a new 2018 Freedom Express in August (More detail in 2 previous posts) After having an issue with the slide out, I dropped it off in Sept 2017. Seven months later and many attempts at adjusting it at the dealer, they could only get it to close with a 1-inch gap. Unacceptable. I contacted Coachman, they said the 3/4 inch gasket around the slideout should compress 50%, that would mean a 3/8 inch gap would be acceptable. The guy at coachman worked with the dealer to get it right. The dealer called me and said my travel trailer was ready. When I went to inspect and measure it, there was still a 5/8 inch gap. Better than before but still not the 3/8 inch gap recommended by the manufacturer. I called the manufacturer again and now is backing off the 50% compression, saying they "Like" to have 50% but 5/8 inch gap was fine. Both dealer and manufacturer are telling me they have a bunch of new TT's on the lot the same or bigger gaps. What should I do? Is 5/8 inch gap ok? How tight does your slideout close? Does anyone what the gap should be or where I can find out?
  • Chris_Bryant's avatar
    Chris_Bryant
    Explorer II
    Apr 06, 2018
    To be honest, that doesn't sound like enough to me, but if the gasket is real stiff, it might be. I would hose it down and look for leaks.
  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    Apr 06, 2018
    Some gaskets are thicker and more pliable than others. Temperature could also make a difference as to how much the gasket will compress. Like said, if its sealing well at 5/8 gap, then it would seem correct to me.

    But seems like you would check the other RVs like yours on the lot. They can't all be wrong.
  • chrisdd23k's avatar
    chrisdd23k
    Explorer
    Apr 06, 2018
    Chris Bryant wrote:
    I don't know, using your figures, if 3/8 is 50%, then the gasket first touches at 3/4", and 5/8" would be just 1/8" of compression.

    That is correct. I’m wondering if that’s enough.
  • Chris_Bryant's avatar
    Chris_Bryant
    Explorer II
    Apr 05, 2018
    I don't know, using your figures, if 3/8 is 50%, then the gasket first touches at 3/4", and 5/8" would be just 1/8" of compression.
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    Apr 05, 2018
    Perhaps due to the way the slide is built, this particular slide may only be able to have a gap of 5/8". Have you checked other units to see if the gap on them varies? Has the dealer/builder explained why they changed from 3/8" to 5/8"?
  • chrisdd23k's avatar
    chrisdd23k
    Explorer
    Apr 05, 2018
    The only remaining issue is, the manufacturer said it should be 50% compression on the gasket which would mean only a 3/8 inch gap. Now it is backing off that and said 5/8 is fine. If other people have various size gap then I will go pick it up.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Apr 05, 2018
    There is NO GAP that is a standard on slideouts. It all depends on the type slide mechanism and what its parameters are. From your description, please find out if it is a Schwintek slide system. If so, then yes, there could be that 5/8 gap. The GAP is not real important. What is important, is if the room SEALS when it is retracted. If it seals when retracted, then GAP has no bearing on the problem if it is uniform around the slide. Granted, 1 inch is not acceptable, but I will bet it did not come close to having a tight seal. There are RV's that do indeed have that 5/8, but they do seal, but that is the design(gap) of the type mechanism that is installed. Doug
  • Boon_Docker's avatar
    Boon_Docker
    Explorer III
    Apr 05, 2018
    Have the Dealer show you some of the other new trailers with this 5/8 gap. That should put your mind at ease.
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    Apr 05, 2018
    If your builder and dealer are saying 5/8" gap is okay, then the odds are unlikely that a bunch of people on an RV forum saying something different will make them change their minds.

    Is this 5/8" measured at the bottom of the slide, and the distance from the trailer side to the inside edge of the slide? Is it the same on both sides? Do the other slides close tighter? Did you walk around the lot and check the gaps on any other trailers? What does the dealer say is the problem, and why they can't fix it?

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