Forum Discussion

albow's avatar
albow
Explorer
Apr 22, 2020

Slide out seal on side has gap from halfway up to top

I used my trailer once last year. Today, I was doing maintenance and opened my slides. I did not notice anything out of the ordinary when opening them. Later, while applying rubber seal lube, I saw where one was not making contact on the upper half of the side, even after manipulating it. Looking further, it seems as though the slide is a little askew in appearance (but not obviously so), and the seal on the opposite side has more rubber overlapping on the upper half. I never noticed a problem before and we had a hard rain last year when I used it and had no leak issues. I haven't slid it in yet but will be doing so today (it's past midnight here now). Any thoughts or suggestions if it binds? I assume if this occurs next time I open it, water will come leaking in? How do I fix this without carrying to a shop? I imagine they don't make wider seals and sure don't know how to replace it. You know how the slides drop down just before the end of their travel when opening? I'm hoping that's where the problem is and it didn't drop evenly and will work properly in the future. If that is what happens, I guess I could go without repairing it and just slide it in when camping if it's going to rain.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Apr 23, 2020
    albow wrote:
    way2roll wrote:
    A lot of slide motor manufacturers will tell you to "re-sync" your motors. In both RV's I had which were Schwintek motors, you had to hold the button an additional 10 seconds after the slides were in our out to ensure they remained in sync. Not sure if that helps but worth a try.
    Got my answer apparently but had to reply to you about this. I thought I was told to let go of the slide button as soon as it bottomed out. It does sound as though they grind on the gears until you let go after bottoming. I wonder if it's different with hydraulics, which mine aren't?


    IF you have Schwintek slide system, ALWAYS hold the wall switch for 10 to 15 seconds after full extend or Retract. That re-synchs the motors everytime. IF you hear gears racheting, you do NOT have a Schwintek. The Racheting is the clutch in the motor system and this is normal. Doug
  • albow's avatar
    albow
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2020
    way2roll wrote:
    A lot of slide motor manufacturers will tell you to "re-sync" your motors. In both RV's I had which were Schwintek motors, you had to hold the button an additional 10 seconds after the slides were in our out to ensure they remained in sync. Not sure if that helps but worth a try.
    Got my answer apparently but had to reply to you about this. I thought I was told to let go of the slide button as soon as it bottomed out. It does sound as though they grind on the gears until you let go after bottoming. I wonder if it's different with hydraulics, which mine aren't?
  • albow's avatar
    albow
    Explorer
    Apr 23, 2020
    Didn't know the outside seal was a wipe seal and the actual seals were called D seals. I guess they are hidden the wall, huh? Thanks everybody.
  • way2roll's avatar
    way2roll
    Navigator II
    Apr 22, 2020
    happy2rv wrote:
    dougrainer wrote:
    Can't get to the Photo. BUT, the WIPE seal is just that. It fills the gap between the hole cut out and the sidewall of the Box of the room. It does NOT and IS NOT meant to SEAL the room but wipe when going in and out to cover the gap. If the room does NOT leak when extended or retracted, I would NOT worry about it. Someone mentioned a 1/4 inch gap, which is not a big concern. The actual room seals are called D seals and those are what seal the room when extended or retracted. Doug


    Agree with Doug here. I don't think you have anything to worry about as long as everything is square and the actual seals are functioning correctly. The rubber "seal" in the picture isn't meant to be a water tight seal. It helps wipe water away if the slides are wet when retracting them. I wouldn't worry to much about it if it were me. You might look at this while retracting the slides to see if it makes contact while sliding in. They will get sucked inward as you retract and pushed outward as you slide out so they may be closer after cycling the slide a couple of times.


    I must have mis-read. I was guessing he was talking about the D seals, not the wipe seals. I can't see the pic either.
  • happy2rv's avatar
    happy2rv
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2020
    dougrainer wrote:
    Can't get to the Photo. BUT, the WIPE seal is just that. It fills the gap between the hole cut out and the sidewall of the Box of the room. It does NOT and IS NOT meant to SEAL the room but wipe when going in and out to cover the gap. If the room does NOT leak when extended or retracted, I would NOT worry about it. Someone mentioned a 1/4 inch gap, which is not a big concern. The actual room seals are called D seals and those are what seal the room when extended or retracted. Doug


    Agree with Doug here. I don't think you have anything to worry about as long as everything is square and the actual seals are functioning correctly. The rubber "seal" in the picture isn't meant to be a water tight seal. It helps wipe water away if the slides are wet when retracting them. I wouldn't worry to much about it if it were me. You might look at this while retracting the slides to see if it makes contact while sliding in. They will get sucked inward as you retract and pushed outward as you slide out so they may be closer after cycling the slide a couple of times.
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Apr 22, 2020
    Can't get to the Photo. BUT, the WIPE seal is just that. It fills the gap between the hole cut out and the sidewall of the Box of the room. It does NOT and IS NOT meant to SEAL the room but wipe when going in and out to cover the gap. If the room does NOT leak when extended or retracted, I would NOT worry about it. Someone mentioned a 1/4 inch gap, which is not a big concern. The actual room seals are called D seals and those are what seal the room when extended or retracted. Doug
  • way2roll's avatar
    way2roll
    Navigator II
    Apr 22, 2020
    A lot of slide motor manufacturers will tell you to "re-sync" your motors. In both RV's I had which were Schwintek motors, you had to hold the button an additional 10 seconds after the slides were in our out to ensure they remained in sync. Not sure if that helps but worth a try.
  • albow's avatar
    albow
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2020
    it was probably a quarter of an inch off. Definitely not making contact and was clean behind it because I checked it when I lubed it. Fortunately, I noticed it was making contact as the wife was sliding in a minute ago. I failed to be looking immediately when she started it in. I got her to slide it back out after fully retracting and it was making contact but I didn't have my ladder to tell how much although I think it was adequate. THanks.
  • Horsedoc's avatar
    Horsedoc
    Explorer II
    Apr 22, 2020
    Alan, I guess I am missing something in the photo but the edge seems to be pretty even from all it shows. There seems to be that tiny area at top. Just a suggestion, but why don't you lube the gasket thoroughly again and then make sure the smooth surface behind the gasket is clean and smooth. Cycle the slide a few times and it might clear it's self up
  • albow's avatar
    albow
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2020
    Here's a couple of pictures if that helps any.

    https://www.facebook.com/alan.bowers.796/posts/3606905272657770

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