Slide out wiper seal issues continued

LinandLen · 04-10-2018, 11:13 AM

My original post is too old to post an update to, and I wanted to open up another discussion about slide out wiper seals and gaps.

We have a 2016 2861DS. We had the rip repaired, but I am still not happy with the results and how the wiper seals lay when we have our slide outs extended. Specifically, the galley still has gaps where critters and air could get through, so our remedy is using pool noodles to seal these gaps. This is not a great remedy at all, and I don't think we should have to resort to something like that every time we camp and if these seals are operating properly. Anyone find a mod or a better product to install other than what came with these coaches?

SuicideSaints · 04-10-2018, 11:33 AM

My understanding is the wiper seals are not the ones sealing the slide. The ones that seal the slide are the 'D' channel seals on the inside/outside walls.

LinandLen · 04-10-2018, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuicideSaints

My understanding is the wiper seals are not the ones sealing the slide. The ones that seal the slide are the 'D' channel seals on the inside/outside walls.

I guess those 'D' channel seals on the inside aren't doing their jobs either because I can still see into my galley when looking in from the outside. It's not what I would consider a proper seal especially when we still have to use the pool noodles.

SuicideSaints · 04-10-2018, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LinandLen

I guess those 'D' channel seals on the inside aren't doing their jobs either because I can still see into my galley when looking in from the outside. It's not what I would consider a proper seal especially when we still have to use the pool noodles.

Then yes it seems you have a problem if you can see daylight. Could you post some more pics of the areas in question? Maybe a few shots of the outside where you can see in and a few shots of the inner D seal where you are seeing the issue.

Is this an isolated occurrence (meaning just one spot) or is it all over the slide. Could the slide not me flush/crooked causing the issue?

LinandLen · 04-10-2018, 02:26 PM

We had our slides adjusted a few months ago. Our RV is in storage so I can't get any photos of the 'D' channel seals. The problem is mostly at the bottom of the slide where you can look in and see the inside from viewing from the outside. I don't recall seeing any 'D' channel seals on the bottom from the inside or outside.

SuicideSaints · 04-10-2018, 03:42 PM

Was the problem present before the adjustment?

I have a TH so it may be different but I have a D seal on the bottom that seals when in the closed position.

The bottom of mine just mates up flush with some inner seal (cannot see it too well) with the floor in the open position and has a smaller wiper seal on the bottom.

Either way I dont think it is normal and if you are having it all along the bottom then something is off, alignment, seal is missing, something.

LinandLen · 04-10-2018, 03:52 PM

Nope, no 'D' seal on the bottom of the slide, just rubber strips basically that do not lay tight up against the slide to seal it. I'm sure I can't have an isolated problem with this specific coach. The problem I'm sure exists with others who have the 2861DS class C Forester. Anyone here who has a 2015/2016 2861DS class C, how did you remedy this slide out seal problem?

HopHed · 04-10-2018, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LinandLen

Nope, no 'D' seal on the bottom of the slide, just rubber strips basically that do not lay tight up against the slide to seal it. I'm sure I can't have an isolated problem with this specific coach. The problem I'm sure exists with others who have the 2861DS class C Forester. Anyone here who has a 2015/2016 2861DS class C, how did you remedy this slide out seal problem?

We have a 2016 2861DS and have no issues. There is a "D" seal on the top, bottom and both sides on the slide that seal against the side of the coach when the slide is closed. The seals slide into a channel around the edges of the slide. On the bedroom slide on the top it had a tendency to slide toward the rear but a little bit of silicone in the channel seemed to fix it.
If you have the same model there should be seals around the inside edges of the slides.

LinandLen · 04-10-2018, 04:27 PM

I don't know if these will help or not but here are more photos I took before we had the slide out wiper seal replaced when we had the tear. The fix didn't solve the gap problems.

LinandLen · 04-10-2018, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HopHed

We have a 2016 2861DS and have no issues. There is a "D" seal on the top, bottom and both sides on the slide that seal against the side of the coach when the slide is closed. The seals slide into a channel around the edges of the slide. On the bedroom slide on the top it had a tendency to slide toward the rear but a little bit of silicone in the channel seemed to fix it.
If you have the same model there should be seals around the inside edges of the slides.

HopHed, now you're someone I would love to run into on a camping trip some day. The description of your seals on your coach don't sound like anything we have on ours at all. I think you have the later model 2016, correct? Ours was the first generation 2016, so maybe they perfected the wiper seals midyear. I would love to compare our seals with what you have, so we can get some ideas on how to take care of this permanently, but as it currently stands, these seals are not sealing properly, and I haven't noticed a 'D' seal.

HopHed · 04-10-2018, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HopHed

We have a 2016 2861DS and have no issues. There is a "D" seal on the top, bottom and both sides on the slide that seal against the side of the coach when the slide is closed. The seals slide into a channel around the edges of the slide. On the bedroom slide on the top it had a tendency to slide toward the rear but a little bit of silicone in the channel seemed to fix it.
If you have the same model there should be seals around the inside edges of the slides.

I stand corrected on the location of the seals. Went out and looked but could not open slide as the MH is currently covered. There is a "D" seal on the top and two sides on the coach side, NOT the slide. The only seal on the bottom is the flap seal which covers (but does not seal) the opening completely at the bottom when the slide is open. We get a good seal when closed against the seals and when open the flap seals on the sides and bottom block the openings completely, but again not a complete seal.
Hope this helps.

HopHed · 04-10-2018, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LinandLen

HopHed, now you're someone I would love to run into on a camping trip some day. The description of your seals on your coach don't sound like anything we have on ours at all. I think you have the later model 2016, correct? Ours was the first generation 2016, so maybe they perfected the wiper seals midyear. I would love to compare our seals with what you have, so we can get some ideas on how to take care of this permanently, but as it currently stands, these seals are not sealing properly, and I haven't noticed a 'D' seal.

Maybe we will. We are hoping to head back up to Wine Country in May. If so, will let you know and we can compare notes.

LinandLen · 04-11-2018, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HopHed

Maybe we will. We are hoping to head back up to Wine Country in May. If so, will let you know and we can compare notes.

Definitely let us know. There's great camping in Pismo and Avila Beach too.

SuicideSaints · 04-11-2018, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LinandLen

I don't know if these will help or not but here are more photos I took before we had the slide out wiper seal replaced when we had the tear. The fix didn't solve the gap problems.

I have the same type of wiper seal under my TH as you do in this pic. It seems standard amount slides. It’s a little dark but you can see it and the style matches yours.

It seems one of two things is happening. Either your slide wasn’t adjusted right/correctly. Maybe it should come down in some way to contact the wiper seal. If that’s not an option then maybe a bigger wiper seal.

In my pic I have maybe a fingers width between the structure and slide. Your gap looks more like 3-4 fingers width. I’d take it back to whoever adjusted the slides and ask what is up with it. Did you have this problem before the slides were adjusted? What did theI say about it. Do you still have warranty?

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