Newbie: Noticed rubber boot for plumbing in slide area = critters?

[ReedMikel]

We just picked up a used 2019 Windsport 29M. The seller was showing me the cause of a small leak that was discovered during inspection. It was a drain pipe from kitchen sink where it connects to gray tank. Looking under kitchen cabinets, I was surprised that I saw significant daylight. Looks like there’s a large rubber boot that surrounds where plumbing comes from below in the slide area. Is it normal that the boot has such a large gap? I would think critters will find this an easy way into our new RV…

[Judge]

This is normal since Thor doesn't think it is necessary to seal the coach as much as possible.

There are slots in the slide floor so that the slide can move around plumbing and electrical connections.... like a gray tank drain. Thor tries to use a "bag" system that is supposed to self-seal as the slide opens but doesn't.

I had my wife make two fabric panels with Velcro sewed in around the perimeter. I then applied Velcro with an adhesive back around the two openings under my slide. When we stop and open the slide, I put the fabric panels over the two openings. Then when I am ready to put the slide in, I remove the panels and stow them.

[ReedMikel]

Thanks! Guess I’ll soon be discovering more shortcuts that Thor takes in their design and manufacturing processes. This is a serious flaw IMO… OTOH we do love that Thor’s floor layout of the smaller 29M managed to include a king sized bed. And it seems like an attractive RV. But I’m a newbie, so will reserve further opinions

[Jimbo56]

Originally Posted by ReedMikel

Thanks! Guess I’ll soon be discovering more shortcuts that Thor takes in their design and manufacturing processes. This is a serious flaw IMO… OTOH we do love that Thor’s floor layout of the smaller 29M managed to include a king sized bed. And it seems like an attractive RV. But I’m a newbie, so will reserve further opinions

Welcome. YouTube is your friend when owning an RV. Enjoy!

[The Gritz Carlton]

Originally Posted by ReedMikel

Thanks! Guess I’ll soon be discovering more shortcuts that Thor takes in their design and manufacturing processes. This is a serious flaw IMO… OTOH we do love that Thor’s floor layout of the smaller 29M managed to include a king sized bed. And it seems like an attractive RV. But I’m a newbie, so will reserve further opinions

Just be careful trying to "fix" that bag thing. Keep in mind, Judge is a professional "Mod Man". If you wrap that area to tight or bind movements of some of that stuff it can result in broken pipes and water lines, gas lines, etc. getting pulled loose. Move slide in and out as you watch the movements of those things and take that in to account of any repairs/modifications you make to that area.

[ducksface]

Stainless steel wool jammed in every hole us the only cure we've found. Works well. A dab of silicone will hold it in place.

Anyone here ever chew on aluminum foil...more than once?(try it. It's fun)
Same affect on rodents.

[The Gritz Carlton]

Originally Posted by ducksface

Stainless steel wool jammed in every hole us the only cure we've found. Works well. A dab of silicone will hold it in place.

Anyone here ever chew on aluminum foil...more than once?(try it. It's fun)
Same affect on rodents.

Once...only once, years ago when I was young and dumb!! Just the thought of it now has my teeth hurting. I didn't know rats had fillings in their teeth.

[ducksface]

I've never had a cavity or filling. It's so bad on real teeth I can't even imagine on a filling.
It is indeed unforgettable.
It's not painful, it's just the yuckiest feeling 3ver.

[ReedMikel]

I wonder how higher end RV manufacturers handle sealing of the slide area? Maybe have the slide on the side without all the plumbing…

[ducksface]

Air bladders and drop down slides.
Very expensive.
Type into YouTube:
Newell RV slide.

[The Gritz Carlton]

Going forward...just avoid buying an RV with anything plumbed in the slide areas. A kitchen on the driver's side of a full wall slide is disaster. My 35SF had water heater, stove/oven, furnace and ducting, sink plumbing, W/D connections, sink drain to gray tank and propane poked through the floor of the slide totally inaccessible (with a homeless person's blanket covering it all up)...all in about an 18 inch area. Never again!!

[ReedMikel]

Thanks Gritz for confirming my thoughts about a poorly designed Thor Windsport 29M RV - as far as misc plumbing penetrations of the slide area. If a RV newbie sees a design flaw on his first day, why wouldn't Thor engineers have observed the same flaws and come out with a better design - years ago? Baffling...

[ducksface]

Because they buy it after seeing the fault.
No need to rework the design.
Someone saw it, someone bought it despite.

[The Gritz Carlton]

Originally Posted by ReedMikel

Thanks Gritz for confirming my thoughts about a poorly designed Thor Windsport 29M RV - as far as misc plumbing penetrations of the slide area. If a RV newbie sees a design flaw on his first day, why wouldn't Thor engineers have observed the same flaws and come out with a better design - years ago? Baffling...

That's why there are more and more S.O.B.'s every day but still on this forum. Bob Denman got it right long ago.
S.O.B. = "Some Other Brand"

[ReedMikel]

Actually, I noticed the flawed design *after* I bought it (day 1 of ownership). I even paid for an RV inspection co to go over it, but I guess it’s too much to expect them to point out design flaws…. Oh well, will just have to put on my 3D printing hat and see what I can invent. Probably use TPU filament (rubber like)…

[ducksface]

Flex filament would be perfect.
Print a few extra for other folk here.

I might like rayon cloth and a plastidip spray or rubber with pleats.

I gave away my printer because I couldn't think of anything more than Dollar Store or cos-play items to make.

This baffle/plug/shield project for the rv is perfect.

[ReedMikel]

I’ve been very impressed with various adapters I’ve printed using TPU. The key to strength is to print layers at angles to each other (like plywood). Do that and it’s near indestructible…

[ducksface]

I'm on the edge of buying a 20w laser cnc.
I have a maslow 5'x10' router cnc I don't use, I'm sure I won't use the laser much after the initial thrust.

Same with the car wrap and hydrographics, not much use after the initial burst.

Maybe we can start a
What can we make with what equipment for our rv's
Thread

Some here do electronics....

[ReedMikel]

I’m surprised there hasn’t already been discussions about 3D printed accessories, parts etc

[ducksface]

I tried a year+ago..
It might be time again.
You start the thread and I'll support and contribute.