I realize my RV is almost 10 years old, but if you look at the webpage I created for their customer service, it is fairly obvious that the problem was in the way it was put together. I guess if they can make them to hold together for one year, it becomes your problem!My images are high res so I can't show them here! You can see the problem in detail at this webpage, along with the Keystone response: http://www.bitware.com/343LThe bottom corner of the slide was never put together properly. My guess is that the silicone caulk gave way fairly quickly and allowed water into the plywood under the slide with is now black with mold and falls apart easily. Eventually the metal bracket came loose completely and revealed the problem.Any advice on how to proceed would be appreciated. My current plan is to move the mattress into the living room of the RV and remove the plywood that supports the mattress. Hopefully I will be able to see the extent of the problem once that is done. Not sure how, but if I can I will replace the portion of the plywood that is rotted and support the corner with a 2x4 and find some way to replace the metal corner that fell off.Again, any suggestions would be appreciated!

Looks like a combination of water intrusion and perhaps stepping on or otherwise using the slide while it's in, which can loosen the floor and pull it loose from the walls.FWIW, I have made a similar mistake by stepping on the floor while the slide was in and damaging a support part underneath. All my own fault of course.I'm sorry but after 10 years there's no way I would expect warranty on damage like this.

ScottG wrote:...I'm sorry but after 10 years there's no way I would expect warranty on damage like this.X2...

To do a proper job, you really need to completely remove the slide get it on the bench so to speak and rebuild it properly. Once out you will likely find way more damage than you are seeing now. At least this will give you the opportunity to do the job right. Done too many jobs the hard way. It usually winds up costing me way more time and effort than is required to do it right.

I think you're right and wrong about this issue. It probably didn't start leaking and separating in '04 or '05 but loosened recently. Yes, it could have been built better. This could be the "poster child" for having a maintenance schedule that includes inspection of all areas of the exterior where water could enter. Had the water intrusion been dealt with in a timely manner, there would be a lot less repair work.

Having had a slide out floor damaged by water I can assure you........that slide needs to be removed to be properly 'remanufactured'You will discover hidden damage and it will be Soooooo much easier to work on.Your beef with Keystone was 9 yrs ago, maybe even 8 but not 10 yrs later.

How do I fix my Keystone slide, they won’t do it!

14 Replies

jhn2634
Explorer
Jul 27, 2014
I am having a very similar problem on my 2004 Everest and it is with the bedroom slide. The bottom board is rotting out. Purchased this unit used and regardless of the fact that it is 10 years old, as I tear into the problem, I am finding what in my opinion can only be described as very poor and cheap workmanship on the part of Keystone for what I understand was their higher end model. For example, the bottom of the bed platform is held down with 3 (THREE) drywall type screws. No there were not even any other holes for any screws. Thin plywood pieces fastened to wood bed frame with staples that were too short to hold anything together. Slide drawer pockets that will break, poorly installed, stapled in, and located in such a manner that with little to any motion the brackets will break off and they do break off. And that is just on the bedroom slide that I am having to remove. And I could go on.

To the California guy that was a Warrenty Tech, this is just real bad workmanship on the part of the mfg.
Sandy___Shirley
Explorer
Oct 18, 2013
Thank you for those videos. Mine is a bedroom slide, so the slide mechanism is not an issue. Both videos will be very helpful. First step is to get the plywood from under the mattress off so we can see how bad the mold problem is!
RTompkins3
Explorer
Oct 17, 2013
Here's a couple of videos I found that may give you some info:

Slide out repair video 1.

Slide out repair video 2
ScottG
Nomad
Oct 17, 2013
You asked for suggestions so here goes!
There's not much to the bottom on a slide out. There wont be any joists or framing, probably just plywood screwed upwards into the walls (that's the usual construction - yours could be different). I would leave the slide on the trailer but extended. Then I would surgically remove the floor, 1 half at a time so the remaining half (front or back) can support the structure. Then I would cover the entire underside with a single piece of 1/8" aluminum plate with flat head screws recessed into plate and securing it to the plywood. This would make the two plywood halves one piece again.
It's also possible the entire floor could be removed and replaced as one piece negating the need for the aluminum.

Just one idea from someone who's done a lot of odd projects like this.
dougrainer
Nomad
Oct 17, 2013
The problem anyone has with trying to get a manufacturer to help out is this----- RV'ers are their own worst enemy. IF Keystone stepped up, then it would be called GOODWILL and not a warranty repair. You would then tell everyone how Keystone stepped up. Then other Keystone owners would get a lawyer and sue Keystone to fix THEIR RV that they paid to have repaired previously no matter how far out of warranty. THAT is the reason OEM's rarely step up after the original warranty expired. It is ALWAYS called Goodwill after the original warranty expired. BUT, do a favor for 1 owner and if others find out, they expect thiers to be fixed also. Doug
ExRVTech
Explorer
Oct 17, 2013
Having been a Warranty Tech for a major manufacturer of RV's. I can tell you there is NO way this would be a warranty item. Preventive maintenance would have stopped this issue.
westend
Explorer
Oct 17, 2013
Sandy & Shirley wrote:
the "floor" of that slide was never walked on, it is the bedroom slide and the floor is inside the bed. The estimate for having the slide removed and fixed is from $1,500 to $2,000. That is why we are looking into trying to fix it ourselves.
I would think you could extend the slide and remove it onto purpose built stands, repair the damage, and reinstall but I'm no slide expert. Good luck on the repair.
Sandy___Shirley
Explorer
Oct 17, 2013
the "floor" of that slide was never walked on, it is the bedroom slide and the floor is inside the bed. The estimate for having the slide removed and fixed is from $1,500 to $2,000. That is why we are looking into trying to fix it ourselves.
LarryJM
Explorer II
Oct 17, 2013
Sandy & Shirley wrote:
I realize my RV is almost 10 years old, but if you look at the webpage I created for their customer service, it is fairly obvious that the problem was in the way it was put together. I guess if they can make them to hold together for one year, it becomes your problem!

My images are high res so I can't show them here! You can see the problem in detail at this webpage, along with the Keystone response: http://www.bitware.com/343L

The bottom corner of the slide was never put together properly. My guess is that the silicone caulk gave way fairly quickly and allowed water into the plywood under the slide with is now black with mold and falls apart easily. Eventually the metal bracket came loose completely and revealed the problem.

Any advice on how to proceed would be appreciated. My current plan is to move the mattress into the living room of the RV and remove the plywood that supports the mattress. Hopefully I will be able to see the extent of the problem once that is done. Not sure how, but if I can I will replace the portion of the plywood that is rotted and support the corner with a 2x4 and find some way to replace the metal corner that fell off.

Again, any suggestions would be appreciated!

Even manufacturing defects are only covered during the warranty period and the failure of the caulk breaking loose should have been caught in your required routine inspections revealing any issue far ahead of the amount of damage shown.

Sorry I see no issue or libality on Keystone's part. That "L" piece is simply cosmetic trim and even poor attachment is not structural to begin with IMO.

Only suggestion is to either fix it yourself or take it to someone and be prepared for a hefty repair cost,

Larry
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Oct 17, 2013
Having had a slide out floor damaged by water I can assure you........that slide needs to be removed to be properly 'remanufactured'

You will discover hidden damage and it will be Soooooo much easier to work on.

Your beef with Keystone was 9 yrs ago, maybe even 8 but not 10 yrs later.