Slide Seals: In or Out When Slides Are Open

[We R BOB]

The seals that flip in and out are just wiper seals. The real sealing is done by the bulb seals around the flange of the slide and opening. Most folks like the wiper seals out when the slides are out - looks neater and probably sheds water better as a first line of defense.

Rob

Thanks, Second Chance. I wasn't aware of an inner seal but it does make sense to have more than just the outer. Having them out does look better, IMO too.

[We R BOB]

out is what I have seen. I wonder if the 303 is making them too slick as it is only friction that turns them.

If they don't fold in while bring the slide in I think that would even be a bigger issue as they get jammed up under the flange

Thanks, llr2800. You may correct, but I do not use enough of the 303 to make them overly slick. I could be wrong though.

[We R BOB]

I was having that happen occasionally and would use the old handle from my previous TT that was used to hook & pull the awning strap down to pull them to the out position....you want them out. Since I waxed the slideout sides with a quality polish they don't seem to do it anymore.

Thanks, IBEW Sparky. I'll be waxing the rig this weekend so I'll run the slides in and out to see if that was indeed the case. I normally use an extension pole with a soft rubber tip to flip them out.

[We R BOB]

I like mine to be flipped out when slides are out for wind and rain defense. Also, we get a lot of heat around here and I don't want them to get deformed by being half flipped so I always make sure they are flipped out.

A few years ago I ran a bead of lap sealant on the top of the slides to aid in the flipping process. Works great, always flips. If I were to do it again I would run the bead at a bit of an angle to make the flip a little at a time instead of all at once. The sides flip most of the time from passing over the windows but when they don't I use my "vent stick" to run under and flip them out.

I have seen some other brands that have added the plastic "flippers" from the factory. The stick on "sliders" that Rob mentions look like the ticket for areas that don't flip.

Thanks, JCR GD. I am also worry about them becoming deformed. So it's good to know I am not the only one with that line of thinking.

[coastn]

After the slides are out I go around all three and adjust any seals not flipped all the way out with a wooden yardstick.

[We R BOB]

After the slides are out I go around all three and adjust any seals not flipped all the way out with a wooden yardstick.

Thanks, coastn. That's a good idea, too. Probably easier to handle and store.

[IBEW Sparky]

Thanks, JCR GD. I am also worry about them becoming deformed. So it's good to know I am not the only one with that line of thinking.

When I did my walk through the day we picked it up from our dealership one of them was rolled half way in. The dealership actually pointed it out and said to always check them and make sure that they are rolled out so the don't become deformed and cause a problem.

[Redapple63]

After the slides are out I go around all three and adjust any seals not flipped all the way out with a wooden yardstick.

We do the same thing. At least one will be partially out only.

[papermakermd]

That's what I do also.

[James Callahan]

Greetings all -

I've noticed that whenever our slides are open, some of the seals are turned in, and others are turned out. Our thinking is that the seals should be turned out as it would provide better rain protection.

So our question is; Does it really matter?

We regularly lubricate the seals with 303 Protectant to try and keep them in top condition. Seems that it works on some seals but not on others. Sometimes, half of a seal on a slide is turned in, while the other half of it is turned out. When that happens, we usually wind up getting on a ladder and turn them all out.

So, what say you? How do your slide seals react to being opened? Does it really matter which way they are turned when the slides are open?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

They should be turned out when slide is fully extended, open position. You may need to run your fingers up or down them occasionally to get them to extend out. One of the first things I do when setting up is to ensure they are pointing out