Congratulation on camper you love.
I do own 2001 Fleetwood Caribou, who is Ekhorn sibling and I might have good idea what was wrong with the slide you got rid off.
2001 was the 1st year Fleetwood start using aluminium frame, or rather skeleton. Not only the frame was really skeletonic, but they did not hire qualify welder to put it together.
On my camper welds on both slide corners broke off and there was a limit how much siding could hold.
Not to mention the PO fixed it with Eternabond.
I am DIY and I was able to fix the frame and repair some dryrot who entered. the wood around.
Happy camping.
