Damaged slideout underbelly trim strip-8289WS

RFKosar

Advanced Member
Joined
May 27, 2012
Messages
33
Location
Cocoa, FL
The tough plastic underbelly trim strip under slideout's right-hand wall edge is damaged on 2014 Rockwood 8289WS. Apparently happened on the last several extend/retract operations. Slideout left and right walls have this hard trim strip which protects the bottom wall surface as the slide rides/glides over floor's teflon "slideout bar" bearing.

Teflon slideout bar bearing has a deformed top surface, like something became lodged between it and the slide's bottom trim strip - maybe a small stone?

The last operation ripped off a section of the slideout's underbelly trim.

I ordered a replacement underbelly trim strip and new teflon carpet bar from Forest River.

I am 1000 miles from home base right now. I need advice on how to replace this trim strip to the bottom edge of the slideout right-hand wall.

I guess I must jack up the slideout as far as it will go (about 1 inch play vertical) to remove the old underbelly trim strip and install new trim strip.

The strip is 43x2.5 inches and it held in place by double side mounting tape on one edge and screwed-in metal trim strip on its outer edge.

Help!
 

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This the picture of the Teflon slideout carpet bar (slideout bearing) mounted on floor. TImageUploadedByForest River Forums1402931523.369101.jpg
 

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Update - removed the screws and trim pieces to get a good look. Damage is due to some minor (?) delamination of the slide-out's exposed underside plywood floor at the edge where it attaches to the wall.

The underside plywood floor has an external tough thin plastic sheet laminated to its exposed surface to protect and toughen. It appears that insufficient caulk was used at the factory to seal the screw threads/screw holes in the trim strip that clamps and weather-seals the slideout underbelly trim piece to the wall.

Water (rain) since last August has seeped into this area of the extended slideout past the unsealed screw threads. This softened and delaminated about 1.5 inches of the outer edge of plywood. Wood had old weathered look where leak occurred.

Surmise that over past several operations of slideout, the heavy weight of slide-out eventually caused softened plywood of floor edge to fail as it was dragged repeatedly across the Teflon carpet bar. The plywood failure eventually caused the carpet bar to tear away the protective lamination and underbelly trim where it rides over the bar. Ugh.
 
The (Poly Bearing) will wear from (Normal) use. When fairly New we replaced the (Economy Carpet?) in our slide,while doing so noticed the (Poly Bearing) worn. Traded side for side and New contact area for wear! Lot of Variables to how much wear on these Poly Bearings,members should (Lift Their Skirts) and check these once in a while!:thumbsup: Youroo!!:us-flag-waving:
 
The (Poly Bearing) will wear from (Normal) use. When fairly New we replaced the (Economy Carpet?) in our slide,while doing so noticed the (Poly Bearing) worn. Traded side for side and New contact area for wear! Lot of Variables to how much wear on these Poly Bearings,members should (Lift Their Skirts) and check these once in a while!:thumbsup: Youroo!!:us-flag-waving:

Good idea! Will be sure to check mine next time.
 
Slathered and injected slow cure epoxy over delaminated plywood underbelly. Glued portion of spare slide-out underbelly L-trim section to repaired bottom and edge section, clamped/compressed with makeshift jack. Next day repaired area is smooth and tough with the newly laminated L-trim section protecting formerly damaged bottom and edge. Now need to install the full length of slideout under belly trim over this. Should work for a while.
 

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