Slide Plate Installation

hawk10eye · 08-31-2016, 11:34 AM

I have a 2012 Berkshire 360-FWS. I noticed on my last trip that the 5 rollers under the full wall slide, especially under the heavy area, the refrigerator, are starting to cause "dimpling" and are starting to tear up the black mesh type fabric on the underside. I have previously discussed the issue with the boys at FR, and they sent me 7 aluminum plates with screws 8"x24"x1/8" thick. Since the coach is out of warranty, they said they would supply the material, and I would have to pay for the labor to install.

I have researched on this site, how some people did their own installation. It looks like they used 2 hydraulic floor jacks with 2"x4"'s for support on the slide ends and another 2"x4" from the slide supports to the floor jacks. They put the slide out, and then jacked the slide up just enough to slide the 1/8 inch plate between the rollers and the slide bottom. They then pre-drilled holes and installed the screws in the plates that already have pre-drilled countersunk holes. In my case, it looks like the 24" plates are too long. The distance from the outside of the slide to just past the rollers to the seal, is 21 and 1/2 inches. So I believe I need to cut 2 and 1/2 inches off of the 5 plates.
Bottom line is I am thinking of doing this myself, since no dealers are near me. Is there anyone out there who has done this themselves? Is this the correct repair technique?I would appreciate any last minute tips or guidance to avoid problems. Thanks

dan-nickie · 08-31-2016, 01:12 PM

I didn't install my own, but my plates do reach two and a half inches past the rollers. I don't think you have to cut anything off.

BTW, you won't be able to get all the screws in back under the floor. But that's alright.

NO3putt · 08-31-2016, 02:28 PM

Plan on doing ours, just waiting for FR to send the plates. Don't think 2+ past the roller will hurt anything.

klucas · 08-31-2016, 06:47 PM

I installed mine. Very easy and I didn't cut the plates. They extend in a bit also.

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

I-RV · 09-02-2016, 08:35 AM

I also installed mine. This fix works but is not perfect and also has problems.

Some of the screws went into metal, which is good because it will hold. Others went into wood which wasn't too firm in places where water delaminated the wood. Doesn't look like FR used exterior wood. Oh, yes I have bunks.

A couple of the plates under the bunks, I left long (22") so that the inner edge of the plate would not jam into where the tile starts. However, I didn't know that while traveling, the inner edge of the plate was vibrating like a diving board, and it dug into the tile and left a stripe mark. I had to cut back on the plate. Remember that when installing with the slide out, screws can only be put in up to 1.5" of the roller. The rearmost plate jammed into carpet when closing and I also had to shorten it. I suggest that after installation for the first slide in movement, that you have your DW go very slow and you get down on your knees with a flashlight.

The plates are definitely needed, but they are not without problems.
Hank

hawk10eye · 09-02-2016, 11:00 AM

I-RV, thanks for the info. I thought that putting the longer plates on (24") might cause the problem of scraping inside. I measured 21 and 1/2 inches which goes beyond the rollers when the slide is fully extended. I think I will cut the plates to that length.
Is the installation process I outlined, the same way you installed your plates? Using the floor jacks, and wood pieces for support?
Any other tips to avoid problems?
Thanks again.

I-RV · 09-02-2016, 11:16 AM

Just use your hawk eye!
Hank

gasman94 · 09-02-2016, 02:56 PM

I had mine done at Goshen. I believe they were 20" long x 6 plates. Have not looked at the install since then. May try to take a peek and get back to you.

Rich

hawk10eye · 09-05-2016, 12:13 PM

Hey Rich, I believe we followed each other through parts of Iowa, Nebraska, and Colorado on I-76 two years ago. Good to hear from you again.
One question, when they installed the plates in Goshen, did they jack the slide up like I originally described and slip the plates between the rollers and slide bed?

John

gasman94 · 09-05-2016, 02:49 PM

Hey John, how are you? Ya, we were stalking you, hahahaha. I took some pics today of the install. They did jack up the slide before doing the plates. I just opened the slide to check it and it works like new. Here are some pics. I hope you guys are doing well.

RodneyD · 10-09-2016, 07:47 AM

Hawkeye, do you happen to have some contact info on the parts dept. My 2012 360 fws is experiencing some issues also. I need to do what you have done. Thanks for posting

hawk10eye · 10-09-2016, 08:29 AM

RodneyD, I spoke with Andy Thompson in the Parts Dept. He knew of the problem and arranged for the plates and screws to be shipped to me at no cost. Installation is on us. The number I have for him is 574-522-1747.

By the way, I installed them on the FWS last week. All went well, and the slide moves much smoother and easier now. No more underside damage where the rollers rest when the slide is closed.

If you need anything else, let me know.

Hawk10eye

RodneyD · 10-09-2016, 08:58 AM

Thanks Hawkeye, the aluminum pads look awesome. I bet they help a lot. Mine started to sag causing the base boards to rub around the frig, I noticed the plastic pad were getting chewed up by the rollers. Thanks for posting..

Thanks
Rodney

NO3putt · 10-09-2016, 07:57 PM

Did ours today. Wasn't very hard to do, just took some time.

fredhardy · 10-09-2016, 11:33 PM

I have a 2014 39BH-60 and sprayed the slides with "slide-lube" yesterday. I noticed the rollers under the slides and also sprayed them. Should I investigate adding these plates for my rollers? No problems yet, but wondering?

Has anyone installed these plates on later units?

Regards,
Fred

Witch Doctor · 10-10-2016, 03:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredhardy

I have a 2014 39BH-60 and sprayed the slides with "slide-lube" yesterday. I noticed the rollers under the slides and also sprayed them. Should I investigate adding these plates for my rollers? No problems yet, but wondering?

Has anyone installed these plates on later units?

Regards,
Fred

Even though I don't own a M/H it would be wise to install the plates. Why you ask the slides are heavy and what holds that weight is the neo rollers, so all the weight is concentrated on that roller, It will take a toll on the underside.
The plates help disperses the weight over the whole floor area instead of just the one resting point of the roller, Plus the added bonus is the easier movement and less strain on your slides bringing them in and out. I had 4 made out of S/S 16 ga. and replaced the cheap plastic ones on the edges of my two slides I was replacing them every year just crazy. Now with the metal ones installed over two years ago I have never looked back...

trekdave42 · 10-10-2016, 04:39 PM

For those folks that installed the pates on their own, how did you jack up the slide...or did you? Thanks for your replies.

-David

NO3putt · 10-10-2016, 05:45 PM

Used the same method using 2x4" with another one on top. There is a picture of how this is done on a earlier FR Berskhire thread. Really was pretty easy, but you have to jackup slide just over 1/8" or you won't get the plates in.

RodneyD · 12-30-2016, 07:59 AM

I have received my plates and I wanted to ask you guys how thick the floor is and what kind of screws would you recommend. Did anyone use like liquid nail on your screws or stainless. Thanks..

uralman · 12-30-2016, 08:41 AM

Has anyone installed the plates on a Schwintek slide?

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