Community Forums

rexf · 02-18-2012, 08:06 PM

We have a 2008 Bounder that allows water to puddle on the main slide roof. Whem it is slid back in the water is not scraped off and ends up on the driver's back or at the other end in the carpet. When visiting Fleetwood factory in Elkhart they said this was a common compaint even with thei Revolution brands and they had no fix. The bedroom slide does not appear to have this problem. If it rains real hard it will leak during the rain. I have made some vinyl shields to attack to the end on the main slide awning to prevent rain from entering the area under the awning. This works but is a bit of a pain. When the rain is extra hard it will leak before we slide in without the shields.

I was wondering is anyone had any luck with manufacturing and attaching a squeege for to clean the main slide of water as it came in and prevent rain from entering?

Perry White · 02-19-2012, 11:38 AM

Essex shakes the heck out of you when coming down anyway because the are at an angle. Moves forward when coming down. '06 Essex. Love to catch the DW on the Porcelain Palace and then drop it. HA.

sdennislee · 02-19-2012, 01:50 PM

I bring our slides in about 1/3 to 1/2 to let the rain water or snow shed off then slowly bring them in from there.

"007" · 02-19-2012, 07:44 PM

Welcome to irv2 rexf.
In the Newmar Quick Tips Links there is information on how to tighten up the slide cover awning.
Enjoy the forums.

rexf · 02-21-2012, 06:37 AM

Thanks all for the replies.

When were at the factory in Elkhart they said there was no fix for our leak. They said even their Eagles had the same issues. They said the only thing we could do was tilt the MH slightly left and down in front. It is a sad situation when their engineers aren't smart enough to fix this issue. I tried tilting and lowering the front and the bedroom slide (opposite LR) leaked. Maybe I tilted it too much to the LR side. When retracting the slides I retract slowly to ensure water runoff.

Has anyone had any experience with the Awning Wedge?

Perry White · 02-21-2012, 12:00 PM

Wonder why they never attached the toppers at a slight angle? UUUMMMM

bcbounders · 02-22-2012, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rexf

Has anyone had any experience with the Awning Wedge?

I normally don't like posting negative things about products (there are more than enough people out there doing that), but since you asked... and since it doesn't seem like there are a lot of people who have any experience with this product, I thought I'd weigh in...

We own an AirWedge which we purchased specifically for the large, street-side front slide-out on our Mountain Aire. We saw no reviews about it, but thought we'd give it a shot since it seemed like an innovative idea, and since we were going to be parked this entire winter in the rainy, Pacific Northwest.

In our experience with it, we think that there are a few inherent design flaws:

It has to have pretty much the "right" amount of air in it. A little too much, and it won't fit under the slide topper (maybe the clearance between the top of the slide and the slide topper is a little tight on a Newmar?). Not enough air, and the AirWedge isn't rigid enough to be pushed into place (again, maybe an issue with the clearance on Newmars?).
The volume of air required to inflate it absolutely requires a high-volume pump. We first tried filling it with our small 12V air compressor that we keep in the toad, which was completely inadequate for the job. Instead, we had to fire up the coach and use the on-board compressor with an attachment on the air hose that would normally be used to fill a beach ball or inflatable pool lounge.
The valve on the AirWedge is both very difficult to get air into, and challenging to seal correctly to keep air in once it's inflated.
When inflated, the AirWedge has a pretty serious curve to it (see attached pic). We thought ours might have been defective, but the manufacturer claims it is normal for it to be that way. Regardless, it makes it difficult to slide in place without it getting caught, as it is continuously snaking toward the outside edge of the slide as you are pushing it into place. This resulted in a cut in the plastic of the AirWedge the very first time we put it in place, requiring a patch.

We really wanted to love this product, because it seems like such a great idea. And, if executed properly with a better valve, heavier-duty plastic and a straight-instead-of-curved design, we think it might be really good. Once in place, it DOES work pretty well, although after a while it gets tiring having to fire up the coach to put more air in it after it deflates over time. Sadly, we're probably going to just throw it away after this winter: it's just not worth the hassle.

Of course, your mileage my vary.

We'd be really interested to know if other people have had a different (i.e. better) experience with it.

rexf · 02-22-2012, 03:42 PM

I appreciate your info.

I have a query in to the company and awaiting a reply.

"007" · 02-22-2012, 03:55 PM

rexf, welcome to the forum.
In Quick Tips & Mods there is information on how to tighten up your slide topper.

clubmed98 · 02-26-2012, 10:34 PM

I used to go up on roof and using a broom sweep water off my full wall slide topper but since I found that the full wall slide goes in easier with the coach off my jacks I retract the jacks and just wait for the water to pour out the front or back end and then bring in the slide. Saves going up on roof.

Gerall · 05-22-2012, 02:56 PM

5 12" inflatable beach balls from dollar store. Three for large slide, two for bedroom slide. They deflate for easy storage and raise the center of the slide toppers up so water drains off.

Renden · 05-22-2012, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clubmed98

I used to go up on roof and using a broom sweep water off my full wall slide topper but since I found that the full wall slide goes in easier with the coach off my jacks I retract the jacks and just wait for the water to pour out the front or back end and then bring in the slide. Saves going up on roof.

Going on a brite-tek roof once in a while is a good idea.....you push off the excess water of the offending top-off, inspect the Satellite Dish, Max Air covers, ACs, general status of your Ethernabond job and is a good exercise doing those stairs.....but do not fall

2008 Bounder · 06-01-2012, 08:57 AM

Oh Boy! What a relief to see that others have had the same problem I have with my 35H. I had a leak from the first outing Dec of "07 when we purchased the unit, had it back to the deal for their bate and switch repairs. Then when it was out of factory we were told the Route 66 extended warrenty did not cover "factory" defects! Went to Elkhart and no fix available! Have used super repair tape along all front and side edges, have replaced all interior moldings and caulked behind them, ontop of them and between them. I only hope for the best each time I go out! After all warrenties are expired I will do a full slide out roof replacement, I will slant it towards the front of the slide with 5/8 inch marine plywood and put a rubber roof membrane on it and lap it up the front and rear moldings and overlap it over the sides so there is no possibility of leakage! Just a very poor design by Fleetwood!! Sometines there is more water inside the rig than outside! I guess it's the nature of the beast! But we do enjoy the room the rig has!

rexf · 06-03-2012, 07:55 AM

We went to Elkhart arfter our trip to AK to get a few things looked at. One of them was the slide leak. While there, we talked to owners of American Eagle and Revolution, Fleetwod's flagships. All noted the same leaks. We addressed the issue with the repairmen and they said it was an issue that most had and there was no repair. It seems a poor operation when the Fleetwood engineers cannot figure out a simple squeegee atop the slide to prevent water from entering the living area. Some owners told me they tilt their rigs to help prevent the water from entering (then you have to be concerned about the other slide) others say they use a window squeege or towels on a looonnng pole to wipe it dry before retracting.

I have looked at the awning wedge and I would have to use two for my one slide because of the length. It also appears to be a bit awkword. Right now I am using a pvc jig to slide under the topper. I also put clipped on shields made from vinyl at the ends of the topper to prevent rain from blowing in and getting on the slide. It works but it's still a pain.

Still in the thinkin' mode.