Replacing slideout wiper seals - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Penny and Paul · RV-Dreams Family Member

Replacing slideout wiper seals

GENECOP · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would avoid Camping World, to much of a Crap Shoot there, check out RV Service Reviews, look for a place close to you with a high rating...

http://rvservicereviews.com/StateList.asp?state=TX

waltben · RV-Dreams Family Member

Too soft?? I'm pretty certain they either get too hard or just start falling apart. Although I'm not certain about your particular RV, all the ones I know of don't need to have the slides pulled out to replace the seals.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Penny and Paul wrote:
Next problem. (This may be turning into a money pit) Our front slide's been leaking, and we finally had a certified tech look at it. His opinion is that our wiper slides have gotten too soft to keep the rain out when the slide is deployed. He told me that replacing those seals can't be done in the field because the slide has to be removed to access them. He didn't know of anyone local, (we're in Mission, TX), who could even quote on it, much less have the equipment and know how, but thought maybe a Camping World could do it. Anyone have any experience in this kinda thing? Sounds expen$ive!

-- Edited by Penny and Paul on Wednesday 11th of December 2013 04:00:12 PM

Everyone gets an opinion and I agree with Gene about Camping World.

We investigated this process sometime ago and I would have the factory do it if at all possible. Depending on the slide, it may or may not have to be removed. Two of our slides seals can be replaced with the slides in place. The big “kitchen slide,” due to the cabinets, must be removed. “It depends.” We got this information at the factory while the service tech showed us why this was necessary.

The thing about the factory doing this work is: “They do this.” They take out, or moreover, put in and adjust slides all the time. If there are issues they do it all the time, not just occasionally, and have the slide “slings” to do this without damage. Even if the specific unit is no longer made there is usually someone around that remembers how “that one’s done.”

It has been our experience the factory service is no more, usually less, expensive than any RV dealer as they know how to do this and for them it isn’t a big deal. And, in our case, the turn-around time was like two days - max. Not two or more weeks if you follow me. They even leave the fringe turned on.

This is a big important deal so best not to look for the low bid so to speak. But it will not be inexpensive regardless.

Our view

Bill

Clay L · RV-Dreams Family Member

One thing to note - the wiper seals are not for sealing. They are to wipe water and debris off the top,bottom, and sides.
The bulb seals that are compressed - one set when the slides are extended and the other set when they are retracted - are what seal the slides.
You might want to try a more knowledgeable tech.

el Rojo and Pam · RV-Dreams Family Member

I'm with Bill on this, go to the factory if you can.

Lucky Mike · RV-Dreams Family Member

Ditto: The factory will have everything on hand with no second guessing....they will cut down on waiting time and you will payout less or even...

in the mean time if you go to home depot or lowes and buy some 2"rigid foam pipe insulation you can fit these in your slide out gaps outside to control the air and water leaks cheaply...(they must be removed before closing slides)

-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Friday 13th of December 2013 10:25:49 AM

Penny and Paul · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hmmm, good ideas!