The Dam-IT and Supid-Me award goes to "ME"

[recumbent615]

I have made it home from Goshen in one piece, but not without issues. First issue was one tire running 20-25 Degrees higher than all the others. pressure was fine, so I just slowed down to 60mph and it came down to below 100 deg. The second issue, was not a simple, back in Gettysburg, it was pointed out to me that I had an issue with wiring hanging down under the slide ( above the tires ) and it was going to cause a issue .... well I Jerry-rigged a solution planning on getting it addressed at Goshen, but my fix was so good I forgot to get it addressed .... that is the Stupid-Me Award part.

Well my Jerry-Rig fell apart on the way home yesterday and tore up the wiring and the plastic piece that should hold it all in place .... that is the Dam-IT part ...

I ended up fixing the wiring that needed fixing to keep driving and taped everything up so it would not keep rubbing. Today I ordered the replacement holder/retainer to replace teh one that stopped doing its job. I hope to have that in the next few weeks so I can go out camping again .......

Moral of the story is fix it right the first time - a few rubber bands ( yes I used rubber bands ) do not a permanent solution make!! and always Listen to Duane when he says "you should fix that"

so I am thankful that I had the tire temp issue since it was look at the tires that caused me to see the issue with the wires.... it could have been a lot worse that it is on the damage side

 

[JanAndBill]

Bungee straps, wire, and duct tape, the top three items to always carry in your toolbox.

 

[FiremanBill]

Bungee straps, wire, and duct tape, the top three items to always carry in your toolbox.

and zip ties of various sizes. They hold better than rubber bands!

 

[oldmannj]

Kevin, Sorry to hear you had trouble. Happy to hear it wasn't any worse than it was. I'll 2nd all the above essentials ESPECIALLY the zip ties. I don't know what I ever did without them!!! ED.

 

[recumbent615]

and zip ties of various sizes. They hold better than rubber bands!

I should clarify this a bit, I did use zip ties to hold the wires to the failing plastic strap but it needed to flex when the slide went in and out - and bungee cords were just too long or did not stretch enough so I used several large rubber bands to provide the stretch when the slide was open and kept the wires out of harms way when it was closed - ( until it snapped - mind you that was some 2K miles later... ) my failure was in going 2001 miles before making a proper fix... LOL - Lesson learned!!

Proper parts on order to replace the failed plastic retainer

 

[JohnDar]

I had one of those plastic straps break at its bend point on my entertainment slide. So I cut a piece of old inner tube and used pop rivets to splice it over the break.

 

[dalspot]

Bungee straps, wire, and duct tape, the top three items to always carry in your toolbox.

Don't forget the vice grips!

Karen

 

[mobilcastle]

The Dam-IT and Supid-Me award goes to "ME"

I had two break at the mounting screws-I redrilled the plastic and used fender washers and it has held fine.

 

[porthole]

Re: The Dam-IT and Supid-Me award goes to "ME"

Hey Kevin - at least it wasn't a trip breaker, and compared to what others went through, yours was relatively minor.

BTW, the RV Parts Nation still had the Cherry table.

 

[Rodbuster]

Did you ever find out what made that one tire heat up so much? That would concern me a little. Especially at 20 or 25 degrees.

 

[TravelTiger]

We have replaced the plastic thingy that broke on two different slides... First one about year and a half mark, 2nd at year 3. I think the plastic gets brittle and cracks usually close to attachment point.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[recumbent615]

Dick,

No I never did, It was the rear tire on the door side ( where my 1000 lb bike is loaded ) so it is always under a bit more load than the others - but other than speed and construction areas with a rough shoulder I could not see any other reason for the increased tire temp..

I'll keep a close eye on it on my next trip. after the wiring issue is resolved.

Heartland now only sells the replacement plastic retailers in sets of three... so I will have two spares...

Kevin

 

[SLJKansas]

I'm glad you posted this about the folding cable holder under the slide. Ir reminded me that the one under the door side slide is drooping. I have some conveyer belt material that I can use to strengthen the hinge area.

 

[Bob&Patty]

You can also use a normal door hinge in both places they bend. Repaired mine 4 years ago that way and still going strong.