I finally hinged my slideout supports

[Art-n-Marge]

The cable/hose supports started to crack again. I repaired all three supports by putting a 4.5" hinge at each stress point. I hope this problem never happens again!

Here's the picture of one of the repairs. It is not as heavy duty as I have seen others do, but I am confident it will last a long time, since the weight of the hoses and cables are very light.



Parts list:
I. Set of Three 4.5" "oiled bronze" door hinges (couldn't find black)
II. 24 12-24 flat head machine screws and 24 12-24 machine hex nuts - 8 per hinge.
III. 12 1/4" fender washer (for behind the plastic supports) - four per hinge at the plastic support.

I didn't use lock washers since I don't believe they were needed, but I'll monitor them.

The hardest part was drilling the metal frame with the four 1/4" holes at the outer edge of the slide. In the picture the metal frame is what the right most part of the hinge attaches to.

Took me a couple of hours for all three slides (plus lots of breaks).

[mcgiver2]

Art looks like a good job iam sure its going to help .......

[LonnieB]

Looks great Art. One more thing you won't have to worry about.

[exav8tr]

Should do the trick Art, I did mine within the first 4 months of owning my Montana. I did use 1/4 x 20 bolts, lock washers and 4 inch Galvanized door hinges and sprayed them black for aesthetics. (Gotta look pretty)! Yours will problably last as long as mine for sure.

[bncinwv]

Okay Art, now I have two items that are being put on the "to do" list because of your postings. I have mine rigged with cable ties and have been meaning to do the hinge fix for some time. If you are going to keep doing projects that in turn end up having to be added to my "to do" list, then you are going to have to schedule a trip towards the east coast to give me a hand!!Looks like a good clean install that I am confident will last.
Bingo

[Trailer Trash 2]

Great job Art

[NCFischers]

Art,
Slotted screws??? How early 20th century of you.

[tim43]

Art, Thanks for the info, it went into my Monty maintenance file for future reference/action. Tim

[timandsusan]

Great job! I did mine about 3 years ago and it sure keeps things working. I wonder why the basic design has not been change to put a pivot point (or a hinge) at the frame? Oh--probably cost or will increase production time.

[simonsrf]

Art,
Nice job, great pictures. You should come to Quartzsite and do the show-and-tell with a demonstration on my trailer!

[OntMont]

Thanks for picture. Need to do one (all?) of mine.

If anyone is so inclined, you can buy replacements from Lippert. I think if they were installed properly in the first place, they would be less likely to crack. (There are four screw holes in a row that are intended to be fastened to the frame, done that way, the stresses would be spread out more evenly than the way mine is done - but Keystone is not alone in doing it the way they do).

[indy roadrunner]

Ahhhh sense of accomplishment. Sure feels good. I did mine first year I owned it. Haven't had a bit of trouble since. Keystone should consider the door hinge from the git go. Looks like a good install Art.

[jackel1959]

Nice job Art....I have looked at all of mine and know the parts I will need. Fortunately, they are all still good....maybe Keystone, or whoever, changed the plastic formula so that it won't break. I guess time will tell.
Jack