Closing openings under slides??

[HMCSW]

I can see light under the dinette on our Aria. Looking under the slides there are channels that have nothing to block cold air coming in, cold air going out, or mosquitos coming in. Has anyone out there come up with something to plug those openings? We have a couple ideas using natural sponges as they remain malleable. Not a big deal except in 100+ or 30s. Thanks

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by HMCSW

I can see light under the dinette on our Aria. Looking under the slides there are channels that have nothing to block cold air coming in, cold air going out, or mosquitos coming in. Has anyone out there come up with something to plug those openings? We have a couple ideas using natural sponges as they remain malleable. Not a big deal except in 100+ or 30s. Thanks

With the Schwintek slide system, there are four weather seals when the slide is out. The top and sides wiper seals are attached to the coach and wipe the top and slides as the slide extends. The slide's bottom wiper seal is attached to the bottom front of the slide. If all the seals are correctly installed and the slide is square in the opening there shroud be no light coming in. The exception would be around the slide's tracks where the side wiper seals are trimmed by the floor crew. Some times when trimming the wiper seal so they do not get caught in the slides gears, they over trim.

[HMCSW]

Originally Posted by Beau388

With the Schwintek slide system, there are four weather seals when the slide is out. The top and sides wiper seals are attached to the coach and wipe the top and slides as the slide extends. The slide's bottom wiper seal is attached to the bottom front of the slide. If all the seals are correctly installed and the slide is square in the opening there shroud be no light coming in. The exception would be around the slide's tracks where the side wiper seals are trimmed by the floor crew. Some times when trimming the wiper seal so they do not get caught in the slides gears, they over trim.

On ours the channels are WIDE open as the wipers are just a straight line along the floor. With that I can put my arm under the theater chairs and the dinette as the hole is about 4+ inches wide.

[Kenneth Neal]

I too have those wide open channels you describe. To seal these openings I have cut blocks out of polyurethane foam. I call them pillows. Cut them just the right size to fit snugly. It works like a charm. I have asked numerous people (some at Thor) why these channels exist and I've never received a rational explanation.

[HMCSW]

Originally Posted by Kenneth Neal

I too have those wide open channels you describe. To seal these openings I have cut blocks out of polyurethane foam. I call them pillows. Cut them just the right size to fit snugly. It works like a charm. I have asked numerous people (some at Thor) why these channels exist and I've never received a rational explanation.

Thanks Kieth. I will give that a try.

[LDK]

Originally Posted by Kenneth Neal

I too have those wide open channels you describe. To seal these openings I have cut blocks out of polyurethane foam. I call them pillows. Cut them just the right size to fit snugly. It works like a charm. I have asked numerous people (some at Thor) why these channels exist and I've never received a rational explanation.

I believe slide safety. I imagine there is a T bar in the channel that would catch in the very unlikely event the slide slid out.

[JimOIB]

They are t-bars for safety. Pull back the seal and you should see this under the slide.

Attachment 39841

[HMCSW]

Originally Posted by JimOIB

They are t-bars for safety. Pull back the seal and you should see this under the slide.

Attachment 39841

Know what they are just want to block the opening while camping to control the coach temperature and the flying bugs outside.

[JimOIB]

Originally Posted by HMCSW

Know what they are just want to block the opening while camping to control the coach temperature and the flying bugs outside.

Got it. I cut a length of 3” diameter pool noodle to fit the two slide gaps from the outside. On the inside the wife made draft dodgers to go in the slide to floor gap. Keeps the air penetration to a minimum. No loss of heat on cool nights and no draw of warm moist air on hot days to bog down the A/C.

[Jimbo56]

Originally Posted by JimOIB

Got it. I cut a length of 3” diameter pool noodle to fit the two slide gaps from the outside. On the inside the wife made draft dodgers to go in the slide to floor gap. Keeps the air penetration to a minimum. No loss of heat on cool nights and no draw of warm moist air on hot days to bog down the A/C.

Nice fix! I’ve been stuffing towels in the gaps. Like this better.

[NMRVer]

JimOIB,

Do you leave the noodles under the slide when you close it or just pull them out before you close it?

[HMCSW]

They come out prior to closing.

[JimOIB]

I tied a length of rope around the middle of them. Rope is long enough so I can pull them out without getting under the slide.

[NMRVer]

great idea. I'm going to try it out. Thanks all for the ideas.

[HMCSW]

I ended up buying a roll of high density foam. 3 inches thick. Then cut 4 inches wide an 12inches long. They work great for under the dinette and front 2 on PS slide. There is also a gigantic opening in the middle of the passenger side slide. Takes a larger piece of foam. We will be in the 20s this week and see how we did.

[Jimbo56]

Originally Posted by HMCSW

I ended up buying a roll of high density foam. 3 inches thick. Then cut 4 inches wide an 12inches long. They work great for under the dinette and front 2 on PS slide. There is also a gigantic opening in the middle of the passenger side slide. Takes a larger piece of foam. We will be in the 20s this week and see how we did.

I did something similar with pool noodles. Just have to remember to move them before retracting slides.

[Kenneth Neal]

In addition to using blocks of polyurethane foam, I have successfully blocked drafts using closed cell backer rod. It comes in many different diameters depending on your needs.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Kenneth Neal

In addition to using blocks of polyurethane foam, I have successfully blocked drafts using closed cell backer rod. It comes in many different diameters depending on your needs.

I had to Google it. Learned something new today:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sika-3-4...8130/202523820

[HMCSW]

Originally Posted by Jimbo56

I did something similar with pool noodles. Just have to remember to move them before retracting slides.

What did you do for the bigger opening in the middle of the slide? It is the one with the rubber edges.

[HMCSW]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

I had to Google it. Learned something new today:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Sika-3-4...8130/202523820

That will not work for my issue- the channels needing blocked are 4 inches wide, 3 inches tall and 12 inches long.