Holes in the slide top related to the gear box dripping oil

[toolman.dustin]

Holes in the slide top related to the gear box dripping oil

My TT is a 2018 model, I've noticed these bubbles above the slide roof several times but didn't take the time to really look at it. I concluded it was an slight oil drip from the cable driven, BAL Accu-Slide gear box. But, I mistakenly concluded it wasn't a real concern, otherwise the manufacturer wouldn't have built it that way. As usual, my mistake.

See four attached photos. It turns out that the oil, combined with the rubbing action of the two rubber seals that run the length of the top of the slide can (and did) wear a hole in the TPO roofing material. In the "oil drip areas" the TPO fabric feels much like bubble gum now.

After cleaning the area I discovered three holes in the TPO roofing material directly below where the gear box sets. The plywood below these holes looks yellow (like good wood) so this is likely a recent development. Otherwise the wood would be grey and oxidized from moisture contamination.

I'm looking for suggestions on how to seal this. I guess I could:

1. Put some Eternabond tape on it, but I'm concerned about the bulge.

2. Slit the TPO fabric to allow the fabric to lay flatter and then apply the Eternabond tape.

3. Some other suggestion.

The first 2 photos are above the Kitchen slide. It's not as bad as the recliner side. The last 2 photos are the recliner side where the holes show up.

@Dflower - After reading this post I decided I'd better take a closer look at my slide tops and I'm glad I did. Thanks for making the post.
You might also want to read this thread posted about 3 weeks ago "Bubble in the Slide Roof":
https://www.crossroadsowners.com/forums/f25/bubble-in-slide-roof-16921.html

Thanks,
Dustin

 

[toolman.dustin]

After seen this video, I emailed BAL, Norco Industries to find out what suggestions they have for making a repair and to find out where I can get the oil catch trays. I need 3 of them.

Contact – BAL RV Products

Video: Catch tray and repair patch.
video:

Dustin

 

[mark5w]

My idea would be to slit it to lay flat, put Eternabond tape from the inside out and on the outside as well.

 

[toolman.dustin]

My idea would be to slit it to lay flat, put Eternabond tape from the inside out and on the outside as well.

Mark, thanks for the reply.
As mentioned, I contacted BAL via email. They replied within 10 minutes (impressive) and offered to send me 3 of the drip pans (no charge). They recommended just covering the spot with Eternabond.

I tried slitting the spot and then overlapping the pieces but I could never get it to lay flat so I cut out a chunk (see photo). Applied Eternabond and then spread some Alpha sealant over it. (Alpha is for TPO fabric, similar to Dicor).

In my photo, you can see the plywood. It has a the very tacky adhesive still on it from the TPO fabric, so the Eternabond had a very good surface to stick to upon contact.

Not very proud of my Alpha sealant job. I was at the bottom of the tube and it was pretty thick and didn't really behave properly. It was from a tube I opened in Oct 2022.

I need to do the other two slides as well tomorrow. I probably won't use the Alpha sealant on them.

Thanks again.
Dustin

 

[toolman.dustin]

The bedroom blister was pretty raised and would eventually wear a hole like the recliner slide.
I cut out the blister and covered it with 6" Eternabond. The contact cement on the plywood really helped make the connection.



Dustin

 

[toolman.dustin]

Kitchen

The kitchen blister was different. It wasn't very tall,, but was quite long. I don't think it would wear a hole so I just pressed it as flat as I could and covered it with Etnernabond.

Note: if the fabric won't stick to the underlying contact cement, then covering it with Eternabond won't make it stick either. So I have a small bubble but I don't think it will ever wear through.

Now, I'm just waiting for the gear box drip pans to arrive.

Dustin

 

[coastn]

Feel fortunate that my Cougar came with drip pans factory installed.

 

[toolman.dustin]

As mentioned, I contacted BAL via email. They replied within 10 minutes (impressive) and offered to send me 3 of the drip pans (no charge).

Dustin

Update: I emailed BAL on 2/28/23 and requested drip pans. I received them in the the mail on 3/6/23. They were very responsive to the need and quick delivery (6 days) .

Photos: What the trays look like & Installation instructions emailed to me.

https://balrvproducts.com/contact/

Dustin