Community Forums

STONEDADDY · 07-04-2007, 09:02 AM

Hi everyone. My first time on the board and my first Damon. We traded our 96 Winny Vectra and purchased an 04 Challenger 348F.

One of the first issues we had was almost every draw glide bracket was cracked or broken. The MH only has 12k miles and did not have a scratch on the inside to support any kind of misuse. Long story short I used J&B Weld epoxy and 1/8" rivets for a permanent fix. A dab of epoxy and then a rivet through the draw glide into the plastic bracket and it's fixed. Is this common for for Damon hardware?

2nd time out the rear Carrier a/c died. Thank God for extended warranties. $903 and it cost me $150 (shipping & taxes).

I'm now interested in aa computer chip for the V10 and appreciate any experiences and recommendations from others.

Mark Nichols
Elmira NY

STONEDADDY · 07-04-2007, 09:02 AM

Hi everyone. My first time on the board and my first Damon. We traded our 96 Winny Vectra and purchased an 04 Challenger 348F.

One of the first issues we had was almost every draw glide bracket was cracked or broken. The MH only has 12k miles and did not have a scratch on the inside to support any kind of misuse. Long story short I used J&B Weld epoxy and 1/8" rivets for a permanent fix. A dab of epoxy and then a rivet through the draw glide into the plastic bracket and it's fixed. Is this common for for Damon hardware?

2nd time out the rear Carrier a/c died. Thank God for extended warranties. $903 and it cost me $150 (shipping & taxes).

I'm now interested in aa computer chip for the V10 and appreciate any experiences and recommendations from others.

Mark Nichols
Elmira NY

John-D · 07-04-2007, 10:05 AM

The three most common reasons for drawer brackets to fail are

1: To much junk in drawer
2: Drawer opening while driving on rough roads
3: Improper installation/wrong brackets

As for the V-10 chip.

I'm not a ford expert, or even a ford fan (I really don't much like ford) but this is generic for all engines:

All the settings on the chip are a compromise, the factors are performance, millage and engine life. You go improving millage and performance or engine life has to suffer. You improve performance and, usually, both millage and engine life suffer. A standard hunk of wording in every warranty ever written, when condensed, says "If you make a modification, which damages the engine, or which we can blame for the damage to the engine even if it had nothing to do with it, we won't pay for the repair UNLESS you can prove your modification made no difference"

Trust me when I tell you they have experts who will testify in their favor. Facts be hanged.

STONEDADDY · 07-04-2007, 10:07 AM

Last owner must have been hauling bricks in the drawers...

Thanks for the chip info,,,,,,

Hurricaner · 07-04-2007, 12:35 PM

No bricks, just faulty brackets in the 2004s. I have had a lot of mine break. I just ran a screw threw the slide and the bracket but your method is probably a little better.

Sam

Chandler · 07-04-2007, 02:27 PM

Hi Mark! I just looked at mine and they are all metal. I take it yours are plastic..When did Damon start using plastic? more importantly, why?

Chandler

STONEDADDY · 07-04-2007, 02:44 PM

That's what I'd like to know. I took pictures and was thinking of sending them to the factory. I can understand some breaking in the kitchen with the heavy utensils and all, but not the ones in small dresser in the bed room? Hurricaner is right.... they probably were faulty or spec'd out improperly. Epoxy, rivets velcro and double stick stick tape, you can fix anything!

Oklahoma MR C · 07-05-2007, 04:45 AM

We have a 2002 Intruder that I must have replaced those plastic guides on 15 drawers at least. They break or were broken because they are Cheap from Damon. Just good enough to get the motorhome to Dealers door. This is just another Known Damon issue. I keep a supply of guides to replace as needed. Ace Hardware stocks them. Thats how I found the Circuit breakers in back bedroom ,by having to replace those plastic guides!!(in the back of the drawer)

Hurricaner · 07-05-2007, 10:26 AM

Wow! This is not just a Damon issue those rear drawer slide brackets were used in all kinds of RVs including some high end ones. They are a known problem but it certainly is not just a Damon problem. Looks to me like someone had a problem with their plastic formulation as the brackets are very brittle.

Sam

ear-doc2 · 07-10-2007, 02:51 AM

I just read a tip on the open roads forum suggesting the placement of a 1"x2"x2" block of wood beneath the slide to help support the drawer.
Souns like an easy fix if it works.

STONEDADDY · 07-10-2007, 03:21 AM

Sounds like my kind of fix... cheap and effective... Thanks ear-doc2.

lionel_046 · 07-10-2007, 03:42 AM

I've had the same problem with my 03 Intruder. Bought some spare brackets at a RV dealer in NM - he said that numerous makers used the plastic and all had problems. For my dinette drawers I have placed a long 2 x 4 under each slide. That takes the pressure off and if you don't overload they seem to stay together. Still have to be careful when you pull out all the way.

TXiceman · 07-10-2007, 09:20 AM

The problem is not unique to Damon. If you check in the Winnebago forum, this has been going on for some time. Our 1999 Minnie Winnie had the same cheap plastic drawer supports and they broke afer a year.

You would think the manufactures would get smarter...but all they get is cheaper.

Ken

bogeyjoe · 05-27-2008, 03:47 PM

We had the same issue with the plastic drawer slide brackets. Lowes Home Improvement sells a replacement that works great...just take one of your broken brackets into the store and match it in the drawer hardware section. Cheap and works much better than the original.