By Dustin Simpson, California RV Specialists
Properly maintaining your slide out is all about preventive maintenance.
Your slide out seals are pieces of rubber that surround the edges of the slide and create a suction seal around the slides when they are pulled in. This prevents debris and the elements from entering your RV.
Failing slide out seals
This first picture is of a Grand Design RV slide out seal where the sealant separated from the wall. What I want to explain and make clear is that if the sealant on this edge fails over time, it will catch water and allow it to absorb into the wall above the slide out.
The photo below shows what happens if you let it go too long. This can cost you thousands of dollars in damage for lack of inspection, and for not doing a little maintenance. (Luckily, this RV was quickly repaired at my shop.)
Even if you have a slide out topper, you still want to check both the slide out seams on the moldings and the seams on the slide out wiper seals.
Resealing the seal on the wall edge is very simple: Clean and wipe down surface with Acrysol.
Make sure to check that the seal is secure against the wall and check the mounting hardware or repair with glue. Then, apply Boss clear or black silicone on the top edge. Make sure that the screws in the ends of the EKD D bulb seal haven’t torn loose, as well. If so, resecure in place.
The products and tools we use at the shop
Here is the low-grade solvent that we use to clean silicone, roof sealants, decals, and anything that needs to come off. It leaves no film and then is prepped and ready for you to reseal. We have used this product for 20-plus years and sell it in the store, as well.
Also, these scrapers work great for removing sealant on the edges and the side of the body for resealing.
Lastly, here is the link to the clear sealant that we use on the top and sides of the wiper seal to help protect from side wall damage.
Hope these tips and reminders help you maintain your slide out seals. Remember: Keep it clean and keep it sealed!
Also by Dustin
- Maintaining your rig: Conduct an RV exterior evaluation
- What you need to know about resealing your RV’s exterior
##RVDT1910
Don’t know what’s so special about the silicone, but it’s expensive. I’d never recommended silicone. It’s difficult to remove and won’t stick to it self. Nor does it hold up to silicone mfg warrenty.
Agreed, I do not let silicone anywhere near my trailer.
Why do these writers have to shout with exclamation points all the time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Silicone? Strongly disagree on that recommendation. Goes against manufacturers recommendations too.
Wondering why you said manufactures don’r recommend silicone as a sealant. My Forest River 34QS has it all over the place, except the roof!
Snoopy
Winnebago too.
WOW…
First 4 comments all negative.
A professional for 20 years repairing RV’s successfully offering his advice for all to use is being challenged for his choices, I don’t understand that. Life is about choices. Don’t put the professional down for his advice or choices. It is your choice to use his recommendations. Thanks for the advice/recommendation on helping to maintain our RV’s.
I am assuming this RV repair business offers a warranty for the work they perform. Why would you not want to take his recommendations and advice on products. From the price of the materials listed, he could cut his costs considerably with other brands.
It may be the cost of the materials that make the manufacturers USE and recommend inferior products. With all the talk of manufacturers pushing junk out the door why take their advice over a professional repair person. I thank him for his input.