“Edges” of the slide were deteriorating badly.

[Phbouwers]

Hello,


This is my 1[SUP]st[/SUP] go at posting in the Heartland forum!


We have a 2009 Bighorn which we have enjoyed immensely, however recently we noticed that the BIG slide with the couch and the table and chairs, was leaving chunks of wood in the carpet.


After further investigation we come to find out that the “Edges” of the slide were deteriorating badly.


After going on line and seeing the “fix” that lip pert components gave, which was to adhere something plastic to the bottom of the slide, and then seeing by several folks that did not work at all I knew there had to be a better solution.


I went to our local Custom Metal shop run by Rusty Kramer of Kramer Metal Fab:


Kramer Metal Fab kramermetalfab@iowatelecom.net
745 210th Avenue 1-800-919-3676 or 641-620-8248
Pella, IA 50219 http://beadform.com/


He surveyed the damage, measured and gave a possible solution. He went back to his Fabrication shop and cut-polished-bent , 2 pieces of aluminum.


They were a perfect fit.


Items needed to complete:

1. Custom aluminum base plates, from Kramer Metal Fabrication
2. Drill

3M Auto Glass Urethane Windshield Adhesive – Part # 08693

1. Bottle Jack (placed on 6x6) with wood planks.

Procedure:

1. Jack up the slide, See Pic.
2. Remove lower edge trim by backing off the screws.
3. Dry fit the aluminum piece to see where to put the bend in, see pic.
4. Put the bend in, dry fit one more time. See pic
5. Match up the Lower trim edge over the Aluminum edge and pre drill out the screw holes on shop bench.
6. Put the 3M windshield adhesive on the slide, couple of beads, being real careful not to get to much and not to get it on the aluminum.
7. Place aluminum. put screws back in to lower trim edge.,
8. Lower jack and place board & Jack under aluminum, apply pressure to get a good seal.
9. Repeat for other side.

Its fixed the issue completely.

 

[danemayer]

Hi phbouwers,

Welcome to the Heartland Owners Forum and thanks for sharing the details and pictures. It'll no doubt prove useful to others.

 

[Bogie]

Nice fix!. Nice write up too.

What was the gauge of the aluminum that you used?

 

[jnbhobe]

Nice job. !!!

 

[TravelTiger]

Great post! Thanks for sharing!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bones]

Good job. Looks real good too. Circle back and let us know how well it work and any changes you might make if needed.

 

[JohnDar]

Pull the plastic fender trim and make sure the edge of the plywood behind it isn't exposed. The metal skirting may have been hacked off (literally) short of the end wall, allowing water to run down behind the trim.