What product is recommended for slide out rubber seal conditioner/ protectant?

[ORMike]

I am fairly new to rv life having purchased a new 2020 Imagine 2500RL a little over a year ago. I want to keep up with all maintenance so this unit will stay in good condition for a long time. I'm having trouble deciding which product I should use for conditioning and protecting the slide out seals.
It seems there are as many different opinions on this as there are products on the market. I called Grand Designs and they wouldn't, or couldn't, give me a recommendation. I know I don't want to use anything with petroleum distillates as that will tend to age the rubber. It seems most products have those distillates in them.
I would really appreciate some input and advice on what has worked for others.

[OurNewEra]

I am fairly new to rv life having purchased a new 2020 Imagine 2500RL a little over a year ago. I want to keep up with all maintenance so this unit will stay in good condition for a long time. I'm having trouble deciding which product I should use for conditioning and protecting the slide out seals.
It seems there are as many different opinions on this as there are products on the market. I called Grand Designs and they wouldn't, or couldn't, give me a recommendation. I know I don't want to use anything with petroleum distillates as that will tend to age the rubber. It seems most products have those distillates in them.
I would really appreciate some input and advice on what has worked for others.

I use the 3-in-1 RV care product line for my lubricants. They have a Rubber Seal Conditioner, Slide Out Silicone, Window & Track Dry Lube. I have been satisfied with these products. You can sometimes get these in a combo pack.

There are others - Camco Makes one , Thetford has one. Then there are the 303 Products that have UV protectants and seal conditioners among many other products. All these are sold on Amazon. A quick search will provide you some results.

[ORMike]

Thank you for your response!

[Sportsdad60]

I've used this combination for years in all my RVs

Griots Garage rubber and vinyl dressing on the rubber seals.
A good coat of polymer wax on the slide siding is mandatory imho. Don't skip on the slide walls when you wax!

[GeoffnCheri]

We have been very happy using a combination of 3 in1 RV and CRC products. Dry lubes, window and track, and rubber conditioners.

[Canyonlight]

Like many things, what to use or not use has changed with GDRV over the years. Recent years feedback from GDRV tech folks is nothing is needed to treat the swipe seals. They have shared that the seals are designed and built to be "pre-lubricated" for the duration.

Early on when we bought, along with the various liquid sprays folks use, many of us used (and still do) baby powder. There was no mention of "pre-lubricated" seals back in the day.

Curious, for those who may read this thread with current generation GDRVs of the last couple or so years, what does your Owners Manual state about swipe seal lubrication.....if anything ? Ours back in the day did not cover this.

Dan

[ORMike]

I've used this combination for years in all my RVs

Griots Garage rubber and vinyl dressing on the rubber seals.
A good coat of polymer wax on the slide siding is mandatory imho. Don't skip on the slide walls when you wax!

That sounds like a good idea waxing the slide sides to help eliminate friction against the seals. I had read about that somewhere else but forgot about it.

[ORMike]

Like many things, what to use or not use has changed with GDRV over the years. Recent years feedback from GDRV tech folks is nothing is needed to treat the swipe seals. They have shared that the seals are designed and built to be "pre-lubricated" for the duration.

Early on when we bought, along with the various liquid sprays folks use, many of us used (and still do) baby powder. There was no mention of "pre-lubricated" seals back in the day.

Curious, for those who may read this thread with current generation GDRVs of the last couple or so years, what does your Owners Manual state about swipe seal lubrication.....if anything ? Ours back in the day did not cover this.

Dan

That's part of the reason I started the thread: there is no information in my manual about what to use and my TT is almost new - 2020. I called GD and never got a definite answer on what they suggested I should use. They kind of beat around the bush and then told me to call the dealer.