External Seal on Kitchen Slide--How Hard to Replace?

[Steve7]

This is going to read like I"m complaining...and I guess I am...which is a shame because the experience at the Service Center was so excellent. But dag gum--the silicone sealant GD ran along the top of the horizontal (new) bulb seal didn't even last one month! I had to scrape it all off. Not a fun time. When I reapplied I used RVFlex. Harder to work with, but it was recommended quite awhile ago by fellow 315RLTS owner Chiefblueman so that's what I use.

Here's the before and after pics (this is the kitchen slide, the one with the new seals):

Silicone Sealant Cracked and Separated


RV Flex Sealant Applied



Time will tell if it holds up better. I sure hope so!

I had to do the same thing with the sealant recently. My trailer is now three years old though. Turned out about the same.

[Canyonlight]

This is going to read like I"m complaining...and I guess I am...which is a shame because the experience at the Service Center was so excellent. But dag gum--the silicone sealant GD ran along the top of the horizontal (new) bulb seal didn't even last one month! I had to scrape it all off. Not a fun time. When I reapplied I used RVFlex. Harder to work with, but it was recommended quite awhile ago by fellow 315RLTS owner Chiefblueman so that's what I use.

Here's the before and after pics (this is the kitchen slide, the one with the new seals):

Silicone Sealant Cracked and Separated


RV Flex Sealant Applied



Time will tell if it holds up better. I sure hope so!

Howard - trust you shared this with Jerry and his team to review. I think Jerry would want to be aware to correct any deficiencies in the work process and/or the human element. This is unacceptable to have happened in this short of time.

Dan

[Calbar]

Howard - trust you shared this with Jerry and his team to review. I think Jerry would want to be aware to correct any deficiencies in the work process and/or the human element. This is unacceptable to have happened in this short of time.

Dan

I agree. My 2018 297RSTS is starting to see this as well. Mostly lower around the skirts.

Rob

[howson]

Howard - trust you shared this with Jerry and his team to review. I think Jerry would want to be aware to correct any deficiencies in the work process and/or the human element. This is unacceptable to have happened in this short of time.

Dan

No, I didn't. Good point. Though I'll send an email to my POC (Valerie) and let her decide if it needs to be up-channeled. I'm sure Jerry has lot bigger fish to fry.

[Nonrev59]

Welcome to the forum--glad you're here. I also joined a forum well before I purchased my 315RLTS. I think you're wise to go into your purchase with "eyes wide open".

Regarding the seals--while up at Grand Design the moderators were taken on an up-close tour of the factory lines. I, of course, had to look at the seals on the campers in production. To my delight GD has switched to a new style seal where the wiper and bulb are one assembly. The inner and outer wipers are now separate assemblies.

With the Service Manager's permission I snagged a scrap of the new seal. Note the glue (where my pointing finger is touching the seal.) That bonds the seal into place. Then they screw it in, too. The arrow I added shows where it is screwed in to the camper from the outside. The seal is now replaceable without hyper-extending the slide. Outstanding, Grand Design!



The second picture shows the "wiper tip" that helps to clean the water off the slide. Also a fine addition.



Lots of experience on this forum. Don't hesitate to ask questions. The four moderators and the "regulars" here are all owners--we are not Grand Design employees. Though this site is owned by Grand Design, they allow us to criticize when justified. To me that shows how transparent they are willing to be.

Howard

Thanks for the welcome and I’m glad that GD is trying to improve on products. And I’m glad that they are concerned and listen to the moderators that are trying to make useful suggestions. Nothing better than being able to go to factory and see what is behind the scenes. Very cool. Also that they are people on the site that can get the problems to someone that can possible help. I will be going and at least taking the tour in the spring just to see what I can on build. Sure it will give me a better understanding on how they are built and get some answers to some build questions that I have already stored up. Again nice job with explaining the situations and pics that are easily understood.