Slide skis

[dhuhn]

I was wondering if anyone has put slide skis on there slide. The ones I am wondering about are these.
https://www.duoformplastics.com/prod...slide-out-ski/
I have seen the thread on chucks repair which is another option.
Just wanted info on duoform skis.

[Daryles]

Yes we had them installed at Affinity RV Group last year before the Rally.
We had a little wear issue with the darco and the skies covered that.
There is a YouTube video showing the install.
After installing them the slides run smoother and faster.
Chucks Darco Repair is still by far the best repair.

[dannyrver]

Put two on this week so I will not have results for a week or two.

[dhuhn]

Thanks for the input.
Danny look forward to how they work for you.

[scottz]

I can't tell much from the photo about how they are shaped (flat?) or how they are installed. I did "chuck's" repair because the darco was tearing. If they are as thick as they look in the photo; that might be a problem.

[dhuhn]

Originally Posted by scottz

I can't tell much from the photo about how they are shaped (flat?) or how they are installed. I did "chuck's" repair because the darco was tearing. If they are as thick as they look in the photo; that might be a problem.

Scott every video I've seen they look thinner than what chucks repair had there also screwed into side under side molding and double sided tape underneath

[scottz]

Mine are 1/8" thick, screwed and glued into place. Not sure the glue (or tape) is much help since it only adheres to the darco material which could just rip off.

[Jamesb]

Originally Posted by dhuhn

I was wondering if anyone has put slide skis on there slide. The ones I am wondering about are these.
https://www.duoformplastics.com/prod...slide-out-ski/
I have seen the thread on chucks repair which is another option.
Just wanted info on duoform skis.

Does your slide have rollers? Very important to know before using the skis.

[dhuhn]

Originally Posted by Jamesb

Does your slide have rollers? Very important to know before using the skis.

No they have the glides no rollers

[Jamesb]

Originally Posted by dhuhn

No they have the glides no rollers

You are a lucky camper ! Good luck. I wished I could have used the skis.

[ChuckS]

Originally Posted by dhuhn

Scott every video I've seen they look thinner than what chucks repair had there also screwed into side under side molding and double sided tape underneath

The UHMW I used is .125 thick (1/8)… you cannot just glue these strips down over the Darco

You cannot use any kind of tape over the Darco if you have wear bars instead of rollers

The UHMW or anything else has to be mounted to the slide bottom or when the slide moves over the wear bars it will bunch up the tape because the Darco isn’t firmly attached to the slide bottom..

End result is a bigger problem then you start with

[dhuhn]

ChuckS I understand what you are saying. The slide skis from duoform they go under whole length of slide and have a lip on front to keep it from moving backwards when slide in moved in, also it is attached on side of slide under trim molding on the side which I would think it would keep from moving back and forth. There are videos on there site which shows installation https://www.duoformplastics.com/faqs...skis-used-for/
This will show you what I’m talking about.
Thanks for your input it gives me a few more things to think about.

[copperminer]

I installed the Duo-Form Slide Skis on both of my large slides on my 2021 Montana 3120RL well over a year ago and they have been working well. I installed them to prevent floor damage inside the trailer where the slide, slides across the floor and to keep rain water from running down side of the slide and going under slide and soaking through Darco material to prevent water from causing floor damage. I did this after seeing this attached YouTube video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SrQ2xIMxds

[ChuckS]

Originally Posted by dhuhn

ChuckS I understand what you are saying. The slide skis from duoform they go under whole length of slide and have a lip on front to keep it from moving backwards when slide in moved in, also it is attached on side of slide under trim molding on the side which I would think it would keep from moving back and forth. There are videos on there site which shows installation https://www.duoformplastics.com/faqs...skis-used-for/
This will show you what I’m talking about.
Thanks for your input it gives me a few more things to think about.

Yup I have been around in the RV world for a long time.. the skis..if installed correctly will d9 a nice job for most folks., often though folks don’t remove the drip strip on the outside edge and install the skies and then reinstall the drip strip.l have seen this mistake done even by folks at rv service centers

My repair was just another concept or idea.. it may not work for thise with rollers on the bottom .. I know I could make it work but in my case my main slides are through the frame hyd and my BR is a cradle mount hyd

If the plastic sheeting under the BR slide ever cracks..hasn’t yet in nine years I will replace the entire bottom with UHMW

If I have any wear spots show up in other locations on my already repaired main slides I will most likely install UHMW strip to cover that repair .. slide skits will d9 you no good if the damage is anywwhrenother than the outer lower edge ( most common area)

Regardless.my concept gives OPs soemthing to look at to see if they can developer their own repair

[dhuhn]

Thanks ChuckS I appreciate your input gives me a lot to think about on which way to go.

[dallasrules]

I have some damage on my bedroom slide from the roller. I have been following these posts because I am looking at doing this repair soon. I have a couple of questions.

1. I already added some metal roof flashing to my slides to prevent the water from running under the edges. It cost about $4 for 12', so it goes a long way. $80 seems really expensive for a couple of pieces of plastic. I have a stock of heave gauge tin and some thin steel. Can I just cut some of that and screw it to the bottom of the slide since I don't need it to wrap under the side flashing?

2. What is UHMW?

[scottz]

Originally Posted by dallasrules

I have some damage on my bedroom slide from the roller. I have been following these posts because I am looking at doing this repair soon. I have a couple of questions.

1. I already added some metal roof flashing to my slides to prevent the water from running under the edges. It cost about $4 for 12', so it goes a long way. $80 seems really expensive for a couple of pieces of plastic. I have a stock of heave gauge tin and some thin steel. Can I just cut some of that and screw it to the bottom of the slide since I don't need it to wrap under the side flashing?

2. What is UHMW?

UHMW = Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene. According to Google: "UHMW is perfect for applications where high friction levels are expected, featuring durability, an extremely low coefficient of friction, and inherent lubricity."

UHMW is similar to Teflon, but much harder. I think the lube plate that most of us use on our hitch is UHMW or similar.

I don't think metal would be slippery enough; might cause problems.

[dallasrules]

I don't think metal would be slippery enough; might cause problems.[/QUOTE]

Why would it have to be slippery? Doesn't the roller roll across it?

[scottz]

Originally Posted by dallasrules

Why would it have to be slippery? Doesn't the roller roll across it?

I don't know what unit you have. Those of us that are doing this modification do not have rollers. The bottom of my slideout is covered with darco (that slick, black, plastic looking material) and sits directly on a wear bar. When the slideout moves, the darco is in direct contact with the wear bar and eventually starts wearing out (usually on the outer edges); not a real great design.

My slideout now sits on UHMW strips instead of the darco. The wear bar is a similar material to UHMW. When the slideout moves now, there is very little friction and the darco material is not rubbing on anything.

I have not seen one, but I have read that some units actually have rollers; maybe yours.

Look here for photos and a better explanation. Post 5 shows a clear picture of the damage and the repair. Post 38 shows the wear bar attached to the trailer frame and how the slide sits on the UHMW after repair.

https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=83948

Here is a link to download a PDF of the repair with photos that clearly explain the problem and repair.

https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...?do=file&id=64

This thread discusses the difference between DIY UHMW strips or using the commercial product Slide Skis.

[Mikendebbie]

Speaking of metal as a "slide ski"...I was watching a schwintek slide "fix" video yesterday and just happened to notice this. He was working on a schwintek slide for a a Gulfstream BT Cruiser Class C (I think?)...big long slideout on the drivers side. It had galvanized metal strips on the slide bottom at each roller. I can't tell what the rollers are made of from this screen shot.
Personlly - I like the UMHV plastic pieces running over the wear bar better than metal. My bedroom schwintek slide has a hard plastic sheet on it which rolls over the rollers.