Community Forums

rlwithrow · 09-12-2013, 11:30 AM

How "tight" should a slide out fit to the outside edge of the camper when closed? A friend's is sucked in VERY tight and mine looks to be "out" maybe 5/8 of an inch. Does it depend on the gasket? The outer gasket seal on mine seems to be depressed enough but what is a good guideline on adjusting the can stop?

Scout1947 · 09-22-2013, 06:20 AM

Little drv <littledrv@shaw.ca>

I can't give you an answer but he could.

jesilvas · 09-22-2013, 07:52 PM

It needs to be snug, with maybe a 1/8" gap or so.

Ray,IN · 09-25-2013, 07:19 PM

It depends entirely on the brand of slide mechanism you have and type seals used. One 5er we owned had an inward bow in the side-wall because the slide adjustment was too tight. Took it to an RV service shop to have them re-adjust the mechanism so the wall would straighten out. They said to leave it alone the damage was done, no way to straighten the wall now.
Search the internet for your brand mechanisms service manual if you are a DIY person.

Frankwh · 09-26-2013, 08:00 AM

We have a 2012 40 ft. Brookstone with what they call D seals. That means we have a piece of hard rubber against the wall and like a small bicycle inner tube for a seal. They are crap the rubber is turning to like tar on the top seals and then sticks to the slide out and is pulling off the wall. Coachman/Forest River is picking up the tab for replacing them all. If you think you have a factory defect don't give up I threatened to call Warren Buffet owner of Forest River to get them to return my call. Good luck with trying to adjust them they have told me there isn't much adjustment to them.

rlwithrow · 09-26-2013, 11:43 AM

The reason I've even messed with it was that the jam nut on the can stop was backed out away from the can stop and I didn't know where it should be. I played with it and it looked too tight and didn't want to damage the wall or something else so I backed it off. It now looks to be a tight seal but the slide is about 1/2 inch or so from being on the same plane as the side wall. Could a guy use a piece of stiff paper as a guage between the gaskets and maybe adjust the slide so you could barely pull the paper out when closed?

jesilvas · 09-26-2013, 06:50 PM

Basically. They are bulb seals, so you have ~1/4" to play with. Just get it snug.

Frankwh · 09-27-2013, 06:28 PM

If it looks water tight all around it could be ok. I would look at the top seal and see how it looks as that is where I have the most trouble and the place it is most likely to leak and check the top of the slideout from the inside after a big rain storm or good hose down and see if you have any water on the inside at the top or at the carpet level of the sides.