Tip on Slide Seal Replacement

[TurtleBack]

I had a bad slide seal and looked on this forum for advice on how to install it. One comment was to just push in on by hand while many others stated that an RV shop took out the whole slide to accomplish it.

Couldn't find the old thread so here is a new one.

Prior to doing the search I purchased a UNI-GRIP double bulb seal #50465. Later I found that many IRV2 members recommended Clean Seal. However, only the quantity needed could be ordered from UNI-GRIP so make your own choice.

After several experiments this was the easiest installation method.


1. Open the slide slightly and lock the slide awning in place. (Carefree requires a pin through the roller.) Measure the distance so the roller can be reinstalled at the same distance. This will assure that no adjustment of the springs will be required.

2. Place the awning on the roof. You may unroll it as needed.

3. Open the slide enough to pull off the old seal with room to work the new seal on. Do not open it the full way. Before pulling out the seal first note how the seals are cut in the corner. You will need to repeat this with the new seal.

4. Drape the new seal over the slide and down both sides. Try to minimize twists.

5. Start at the bottom of one end and push the new seal on by hand. There sholuld be enough room to do this.

6. Take a stout screwdriver about 10- 12 inches long and put electrical tape over the tip. This will minimize inadvertant scratching or puncturing the inner seal. The later is why the slide should not be fully out.

7. Starting where you have already pushed on the seal hold the screwdriver handle and pull on the shaft. Slowly move the screwdriver up with an in and out motion while pulling towards you to feed the seal onto the flange. (Yes you'll probably get some scraped knuckles.) Be sure to check your progress as the seal occasionally won't seat properly.

8. When you get to the corner cut the seal to match the old technique. Do not glue the corner flaps yet.

9. I would recommend that you use a wedge to hold the seal in place as you work pass the corner so it stays snug.

10 Do the top - repeat at the corner - then down the other side. Note: My ladder wasn't tall enough. I worked the top section from the roof.

11. Trim the excess at the end.

12. Move the slide fully out. Now postion the corner flaps and glue with Super Glue. Holds quickly with no mess.

13. Move the slide in and out to make sure all sections stay seated.

14. Caulk the corners if desired. I used DAP Exterior/Interior sealant. Dark brown in fact since that is what had without it being noticable against the black seal and frame.

15. Move the slide back to the place where the awning was removed and reinstall the awning.

Warning: Do not get yourself into a position that you feel that you have to pull off part of the new seal. Should you get a small section that just doesn't want to stay on the flange - like where I pulled it off - put some Super Glue into the seal and on the flange. Then wedge it on until you are confident that the glue will hold.

By using this method next time the installation of the 20 foot seal would take less than 1 hour - not including messing with the awning.

Hope this helps the next soul who wants to attempt this project.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurtleBack Hope this helps the next soul who wants to attempt this project.

TurtleBack, Thank you for detailing the repair you accomplished on your motorhome.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Excellent write-up, Turtleback. A cautionary note, though. Different techniques may be needed on different brands of RVs - each manufacturer has its own design for slide seals.