Slide out straps broken

[Gsport]

As we were on our last road trip, I had a "light bulb" idea go off in my head. I saw lots of tire tread/retread pieces laying on the side of the road from blowouts. I'm thinking I might stop and pick up a couple of pieces next time I see some. Looks like a piece would be strong enough and flexible enough to work as replacement straps...
What'da ya think??

[wgbike]

You know Gsport on my previous 5ver when the gen exhaust hangers broke that is exactly what i used and it worked well. I am thinking if it were a tread that is very flexible it should work.

[1970kw]

My front kitchen slide strap broke today too! Not sure how to post photo, but I simply trimmed the broken end, cut a 4 to 5" piece of rubber mud flap the same width as the plastic strap, and drilled two holes in the center about 2" apart and attached the flap to the strap with #10 machine screws. I put oversize fender washers on the back of the rubber to keep them from pulling through and attached the other end to the outer slide out bracket. I can only assume most of the straps are breaking on the outer edge where the sharp bend occurs when the slide is out. It makes a flexible hinge on the outer edge like the one where it fastens on the inside by the frame. I'm not going to ask for a replacement strap as this seems to be a better long term solution. Hope it helps someone!

[mageorge]

Actually I just noticed that my strap holding the gas line broke GD must not have done a lot of bending of these prior to using. Our slides only been in-out 30-40 times.

I ended up going to Walmart and buying a rubber tie-down bungee, I took out the metal hooks, screwed one end into the metal on the slide out where the strap was, and drilled a hole on the plastic for the other end, and held them in place with a couple ziplock straps. Seems to work for now.

[pauliwalnutz]

Same issue here. Trailer is as the dealer to fix a bunch of issues but its good to seem some home grown solutions as i'm sure it will break again.

[Pjs2500hd]

Well I got new straps from GD. They are more flexible than the original ones. But I added a metal door hinge on the slide out and used bolts and washers to attach the strap to the hing. Now when the slide is extended there is no stress on the strap, the hinge does all the bending not the stap. I also lowered the the height of the gas line strap slightly so it clears the slide out gear rack. This should be a permanent repair. Now it's time to put it in the storage building for the long winters nap.

[Happy Kansan]

Pjs2500hd, that is exactly the fix we used with our straps. They hadn't broken completely through yet, but we added the hinge just as you described and it has worked like a charm. This forum is great for preventive maintenance! We wouldn't have even thought to look at these straps until reading about the problem others were having.

Like you say....long winter's nap is upon us, sadly. Can't wait to get back into camping next spring. I predict we will go camping earlier than ever this next year, and more often than ever. Love our Reflection 337.

[Pjs2500hd]

I added door hinges to my slide out straps so they won't bend so sharp and break again
Sorry the pics are upside down

[Foresthill]

Yep, my 303 rls had same problem! GD sent new strap and will attempt to self install. Looks bigger and better built than original.

[Oldmoose]

Our 337 torn also. In for replacement and other warranty items.