AF996 Sink drain hose fix
Keeping a long story short, during my normal post trip PMI, I noticed an issue with the kitchen sink drain hose in our 2013 AF996. I found that viewing the kitchen slide operation from the pass through cab window, I could see the kitchen sink drain hose was pinched between the aluminum slide frame rail and the plywood step deck (next to the water pump access) and was rubbing on both sides during slide deployment and retraction. I contacted Northwood and although they said they were not aware of this, said they'd look into it, but in the meantime they asked that I take my 996 to the nearest dealer to have it fixed. Since I live in the sticks and it's a chore to drive and hour down to the valley, wait for the repair to be performed, yada, yada, yada and since I'm somewhat of a handy guy, I figured out my own fix.
Here's a video of the issue. Note the drain hose starts out bent, but is stood up by the slide deployment as the drain hose is pinched between those two points and only starts to move after it is "dragged" along after being stood up past vertical.
Kitchen slide video
Still picture of the original install showing the problem area:
First thing needed is access to that area. To the left of the flip up step deck (where you step to access the overhead bunk) is a fixed deck that was originally held in place by staples. I needed to take a hammer and "pop" it loose, removed the staples (later attached with drywall screws) and make the following mods.
Trimmed a 1"x 5 1/2" section off the offending edge and then angle cut it to smooth the transition from the old to new width.
Carpet was cut, then laid over, stapled and test fit for function.
Hose now fits in that area without "pinching" on either side of it during the slide movement.
Job completed,shot of step deck from the interior. Note the slight inset of the carpet edge where the trimmed plywood was removed.
I'm sure this will be addressed by Northwood on subsequent builds, but it wouldn't hurt to check yours out to confirm you aren't working on a down the road leak. Mine hadn't yet damaged the hose exterior, but I'm confident over time, it would cause it to leak and probably cause some water damage in an area that isn't looked at often.
Hope this helps someone head off an issue, before it becomes one.
Here's a video of the issue. Note the drain hose starts out bent, but is stood up by the slide deployment as the drain hose is pinched between those two points and only starts to move after it is "dragged" along after being stood up past vertical.
Kitchen slide video
Still picture of the original install showing the problem area:
First thing needed is access to that area. To the left of the flip up step deck (where you step to access the overhead bunk) is a fixed deck that was originally held in place by staples. I needed to take a hammer and "pop" it loose, removed the staples (later attached with drywall screws) and make the following mods.
Trimmed a 1"x 5 1/2" section off the offending edge and then angle cut it to smooth the transition from the old to new width.
Carpet was cut, then laid over, stapled and test fit for function.
Hose now fits in that area without "pinching" on either side of it during the slide movement.
Job completed,shot of step deck from the interior. Note the slight inset of the carpet edge where the trimmed plywood was removed.
I'm sure this will be addressed by Northwood on subsequent builds, but it wouldn't hurt to check yours out to confirm you aren't working on a down the road leak. Mine hadn't yet damaged the hose exterior, but I'm confident over time, it would cause it to leak and probably cause some water damage in an area that isn't looked at often.
Hope this helps someone head off an issue, before it becomes one.
