Water damage on one slide and several exterior doors

[Jerome]

I bought a used 2000 34ft Excel Classic 3 slides this Spring, and before that we had a 1995 32ft Excel i jumbo slide. Like all campers we have worked through their unique problems. The new to us fifth wheel has about 5 exterior doors that are falling apart. It seems as though water has gotten inside the door and caused in to pull away from the frames.
The second issue is that the large living room slide is having a rot issue also. One of the slide rams has pulled away from the exterior wall. I have kept it together with two c-clamps and a 2X4, so we can keep running it in and out.

Does anyone know how to fix this at home?

Thanks

[Jerome]

I bought a used 2000 34ft Excel Classic 3 slides this Spring, and before that we had a 1995 32ft Excel i jumbo slide. Like all campers we have worked through their unique problems. The new to us fifth wheel has about 5 exterior doors that are falling apart. It seems as though water has gotten inside the door and caused in to pull away from the frames.
The second issue is that the large living room slide is having a rot issue also. One of the slide rams has pulled away from the exterior wall. I have kept it together with two c-clamps and a 2X4, so we can keep running it in and out.

Does anyone know how to fix this at home?

Thanks

[RustyJC]

Jerome,

I've linked this topic to the Excel Owner's Forum where you might get some product specific input. Good luck!

Rusty

[ChiefJohn]

Jerome,
Based on the description of your slide-out and door problems, I believe the repairs are far beyond home repair. You'll probably going to need new compartment doors and a partial exterior wall on your large slide-out.

[Workshop]

Jerome,

Sorry to hear about your water damage.

On your large slide, how is the walls and floor of the slide? Is the "rot" problem related to the ram araa only and below the floor area. Is it beneath the compartment that stores the "lawn chairs?

On your doors, when you reference, pulling away from the frames, are you talking the door's framework or the side of the 5th's frame?

Do you have pictures to post on the RV Photo gallery.

Chris

[ExcelRVGuy]

Jerome

I'm sorry to hear about your access doors. We have made tremendous improvements to our doors since 2000. If you will call Donna Eckhardt, our parts girl, at 800-368-3759 she will help you with replacements. I have told her to expect your call and to sell them to you at our cost.

Please be sure to have your exact rough opening sizes when you call.

Respectfully,
Bryan

[redwing1]

Bryan,
Your offer to Jerome for the "at cost doors" is just another reinforcement of the VALUE of owning an Excel!
This site should be Manditory reading for all who own RV's. With support like this from the Mfgr. anyone buying a used Excel should not expect anything less than a perfect coach!

[Ray,IN]

If it were me; I'd make an appointement with the factory for them to make necessary repairs to the slide room.

[wrongway]

On the slideout room rams, what has happened is that a Plastic track was installed on the bottom of the slideout wall. Water has entered into the track and the wood structure that was put in there has absorbed the water and caused it to crumble. The ram has a bolt that is attached to threw the bottom of the slideout wall and into the plate on the face of the ram. You will need to remove interior underbelly material sheeting the lower Plastic track and the aluminum extrustion on the bottom side and then determine the damage that is created.
WE rebuild and replace the materials with treaded lumber so that the water absortion does not accure again. Replace the area with a new bolt, place the materials back in place and replace the plastic track, but first we drill 3/8" holes in the track to allow water to run away instead of setting there.
Time to repair, depends on experience. We typically can have the job completed in 8-10 hours depending on the damage.(This also depends on if it is the front or rear bolt area of both). (Both is the 8-10).
Good luck in your repair or if you have a service center or Excel due the job.

[Highgturn]

Tom,

Do the 05s have this plastic track that traps water? If you are talking about the insert extrusion with the plastic that covers the screws, it's aluminum. I am trying to figure out where you are drilling a 3/8" drain hole.

[camperguy]

Wrongway...Is this a common Excel problem? Are todays units still built the same way? If so, would it be a good idea to drill the weep holes before the wood has a chance to absorb water and begin to rot? Sounds like you guys really got a handle on the situation!

[wrongway]

O'boy I talked out loud again.... (LOL)

Highturn, the track that I am referring to is on the bottom (Dirt side) of the slide. (lye on your back and look up.) Today, and I am not sure exactly when it changed, the bottom is wrapped with the Darco Underbelly material, so one it breaths and two will not allow mositure to build up around the bottom of the slides. Plus I believe I stated before they are using treated wood, and hear again not sure exactly what year that started but has been at least 3-4 if not more.

If you have the plastic track that goes from the front to the back of the slide on the underneath side (not the aluminum with insert where the screws are) and they do not have any holes in them, then I would place some in the track about every one to two feet apart, and especially at the 45 degree corners, (you will know if you take a peak at the underside of the wall).
Hope this helps Highturn and Camperguy. Anything else, will attempt to answer your questions and help the best that we can.

[Workshop]

Bryan and wrongway,

Thanks for the time and support you give the forum and it's members. I know it has been say before and you get tired of hearing it but to DIYers like Jerome, myself and countless others that benifit from your input, it doesn't go unnoticed.

Thanks again, Chris

[camperguy]

Wrongway...Do you agree that slides are one of the most innovative and highest maintenance items in a trailer? Would you respond to my earlier post concerning walking on a slide floor when it is in? Also, since you are familiar with Excel's construction, do you know if there are other areas where treated lumber is being used? When we toured the plant I remember seeing what looked like treated lumber in stock, but never saw any place where they used it.