Underslide wire holding thing-a-ma-jig

[JohnDar]

It's been a while since this part was discussed and I've forgotten what it's actually called. It's the plastic thing under the slide that the wire looms are attached to so that they flex properly. At any rate, I noticed today that the one under the entertainment slide has broken. I'm thinking that instead of trying to reinstall another one, I just might hang the loom with some mounting hole type cable ties to the bottom of the slide so they arc similar to the way they did with the support, and call it good. See any problem with that?

 

[Willym]

Lippert calls their product "Flexguard". On your proposed fix, if you attach the cables to the underslide of the slide, then they'll get damaged when the slide is retracted. You need a flexible cable support. Most times these things break at one end, and several people have re-attached them using a door hinge to bridge the break and allow flexing. I fixed my last rig this way and used small nuts and bolts to attach the Flexguard to the hinge.

 

[jnbhobe]

Thats the easiest way to fix it

 

[JohnDar]

Lippert calls their product "Flexguard". On your proposed fix, if you attach the cables to the underslide of the slide, then they'll get damaged when the slide is retracted. You need a flexible cable support. Most times these things break at one end, and several people have re-attached them using a door hinge to bridge the break and allow flexing. I fixed my last rig this way and used small nuts and bolts to attach the Flexguard to the hinge.

What a maroon! After posting that and crawling into bed, it hit me how the idea wouldn't work. Maybe I should lay off the adult grape juice when doing engineering type stuff.

The break occurred right in the middle of the FlexGuard, where it bends. A small hinge there just might do the trick. I think it might be possible to use pop rivets to attach it. I'll give it a try.

 

[Bob&Patty]

John, a small hinge works great. Don't use a big and heavy one. It will make the thing-a-ma-jig hang down.

 

[twohappycampers]

It's been a while since this part was discussed and I've forgotten what it's actually called. It's the plastic thing under the slide that the wire looms are attached to so that they flex properly. At any rate, I noticed today that the one under the entertainment slide has broken. I'm thinking that instead of trying to reinstall another one, I just might hang the loom with some mounting hole type cable ties to the bottom of the slide so they arc similar to the way they did with the support, and call it good. See any problem with that?

THING-A-MA-JIG??? Is this the same JohnDar who gave us ladies a hard time a while back for using "clear plastic thingie" instead of "door sweep"?? hmmmmmmmmmmmm? GOTCHA!!

 

[JohnDar]

THING-A-MA-JIG??? Is this the same JohnDar who gave us ladies a hard time a while back for using "clear plastic thingie" instead of "door sweep"?? hmmmmmmmmmmmm? GOTCHA!!

Guilty as charged. Maybe I should have used the correct engineering term: "whachamacallit".

 

[rick_debbie_gallant]

John, a small hinge works great. Don't use a big and heavy one. It will make the thing-a-ma-jig hang down.

Okay here is my suggestion. a nice piece of leather or other flexible material. Rubber, innertube etc. hingle is good also.

 

[twohappycampers]

Guilty as charged. Maybe I should have used the correct engineering term: "whachamacallit".

Or "do-hickey" or "thing-a-ma-doodle" or ???

 

[JohnDar]

Or "do-hickey" or "thing-a-ma-doodle" or ???

Actually, my term for the FlexGuard initially indicated that it had a momma that it had done bad things to. But I changed it in the first post so as not to upset the more genteel members of these forums.

 

[Willym]

John, I think that a hinge placed in the middle of the Flexguard might cause the cables to kink there rather than bend more evenly. You can probably get a new one direct from Lippert, or from Heartland parts. The largest one is priced around $45 on Lippert's site.

 

[HappyKayakers]

I've had the hinge on my Flexguard under the entertainment slide for about 4 yrs now without any problems. The Flexguard under the kitchen slide got chewed away by the tires. I couldn't figure a way to keep it off the tires so I just ditched it and used a LOOSELY attached cable tie around the wire loom and the slide rail. Keeps it off the ground and away from the tires with no problems.

 

[jmgratz]

We got a Flex-Guard replacement here. http://www.rvparts.com/product-110-014134629 Easy to do the replacement yourself.

 

[TandT]

I have a similar problem, but it's not in the flex-guard.
I never noticed it before, but when I had my coach in for service the tech showed me my rubber gas line (thingy) to the refer is kinked when the slide is in.
Said he would have to order another one. I'm going to look at it tomorrow to see if maybe I can reroute it somehow.

 

[JohnDar]

Since I haven't taken a real close look at it, when replacing the FlexGuard do you have to replace the "keepers" that the wire looms feed through, as well. If yes, then how do you get them over the wires without disconnecting them?

I'm thinking my first trial repair will be to rivet a piece of inner tube on either side of the piece to cover the break. That should give it enough flex to bend into a curve yet not fold sharply and crimp the wires. If it doesn't look good, then I'll order a new FlexGuard.

 

[jmgratz]

The Flex-Guard will just slide in from one end to the other. Then you can get some cable ties to help secure it. It does comes with the aluminum post. The loops you refer to are re used.

 

[Bob&Patty]

John, a new flex guard will just do the samething in time. Put a small hinge on it and if the wire retainers are broken. Drill some holes and hold the wires in place with wire ties. Did mine 3 years ago and have not had a problem. Just make sure the hinge will flex both ways.