UMHW strips on Darco

[Vet4jdc]

I'm about to start the process of adding UMHW strips to our 2019 331RL MHC. For those who have done it I have a few questions:

I plan to place them along the edge and at each place where the Darco seems worn. It appears the Darco "drags" at about every 16". Does the 16" on center spacing seem reasonable?

On my kitchen slide, the inside edge is raised with a wood trim strip. Can I run the UMHW strip all the way to the inside edge even though the screws will only be on the outside of the slide?

Is there a way to fasten the UMHW to the inside edge. Adhesive?

On the living room / dining room slide, the bottom of the slide slopes up to allow the slide to drop in place in the last few inches of extension. Can I run the UMHW all the way to the inside edge here and is it possible to fasten the UMHW to that edge? Adhesive?

Some people stop the UMHW strip on the exterior of the slide before the wear bar and slope the leading edge of the UMHW strip. Is this preferred and has anyone had an issue with the UMHW strip "not" ramping up onto the wear bar?

I know there are some links here to others who have done this but I'm not finding the answers I'm looking for. Any advice or assistance will be appreciated!

[Vet4jdc]

Anyone?

[Mikendebbie]

The document in the files section of the forum for the darco fix is by Chuck S…you mike try sending him a pm.

[Hblick48]

Here's a link

Darco repair by Chuck. This is one of the best repairs I've seen.
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=83948
Chucks PDF on darco repair
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...?do=file&id=64

[Dave W]

Good repair and not dissimilar to what I did on our last 5er though did use aluminum and did run under the rollers. I have six LCI J-1rollers to use on the LR slide, replacing the partially failed slide bar and may use the UMHW instead of metal this time which again will be under the new rollers. Now all I need is a few more days of warmer weather as 25F is a bit too chilly plus need to finish the brake job on my truck first.

[ChuckS]

You CAN'T.. use adhesive to apply the UHMW strip over the Darco... If you try and do it that way the first time you move that slide out and it moves over a wear bar POST PICTURES of the new mess you will now have...

I used the beveled edge method on my slide out repair with an angle of 37 degrees to "ramp up" the UHMW onto the wear bar...

I have also helped two others that simply lifted the slide up and slide enough of the UHMW past the wear bar and then secured the UHMW strip just past the wear bar... You cant get to the inside portion that is past wear bar and not secured.. of course..

This video from my channel shows you the teeth engagement of the gear packs as well as the ramp up onto the wear bar using the beveled edge...

https://youtu.be/EtgzzhXodlk

[Vet4jdc]

Chuck S, I am simply doing the research and everyone has pointed to your PDf and info as the best method they have seen. After reviewing your PDF with the whole process, I am now leaning towards just securing 3" wide strips outside underneath and doing the 17 degree beveled edge that should ride up on the wear bar quite well. My slides are 12 foot and 13 foot long that need the work so I am probably adding more than just a few strips of the UMHW across the whole slide. Spacing is something I am still trying to determine. Thanks for your thorough direction you've already shared.

[Daryles]

Excellent repair instructions and video.
Thanks Chuck

[Kyle and Lisa]

I used Chucks method as well, although I used 6" wide strips and #12 screws x 1" every 6" apart and 3 across to secure, so far it has worked well.

[Vet4jdc]

Originally Posted by Kyle and Lisa

I used Chucks method as well, although I used 6" wide strips and #12 screws x 1" every 6" apart and 3 across to secure, so far it has worked well.

how long is your slide out and how many strips did you install?

[ChuckS]

I think with the vast amount of experience in this group and their inputs you can use my UHMW repair and modify it, tailor it, etc to your specific situation.

My two main hydraulic slides are quite long and my wear issues on both slides were at the outer edges only..

So far the UHMW strips I installed back in early April are doing the job perfectly.. the slides move very smoothly and much quicker riding on that UHMW.

If either of my main slides developed another location of wear on the Darco underneath I’d not hesitate one second to make the same repair..

Having said this I WOULD lift my slide just enough to slip the UHMW strip just over the wear bar and then secure as close to wear bar as possible.

My initial concern when using the UHMW strip was if it would affect the gear pack teeth meshing to the guide bar teeth. I have since learned my concern was unwarranted as the gear pack teeth mesh perfectly during all,motions with the guide bar teeth

[Route66Rambler]

We did Chuck's fix to our 2019 330RL but only on the dinette slide. Installed the same material on the kitchen slide but it strained the slide motor and the slide could not go over the wear bars so it wouldn't work on that that side. I does work on the dinette slide. I believe there is a difference between these cable slides and the hydraulic slides. I don't think the cable systems have enough power to get that heavy slide over the wear bars with the added material even with a beveled edge.
Would like to know if there is a better way to fix the kitchen slide.

[77cruiser]

When I did mine I lifted the slide & ran the strips all the way in. 14' slide I used 5 1 foot wide strips.

[Vet4jdc]

Originally Posted by Route66Rambler

We did Chuck's fix to our 2019 330RL but only on the dinette slide. Installed the same material on the kitchen slide but it strained the slide motor and the slide could not go over the wear bars so it wouldn't work on that that side. I does work on the dinette slide. I believe there is a difference between these cable slides and the hydraulic slides. I don't think the cable systems have enough power to get that heavy slide over the wear bars with the added material even with a beveled edge.
Would like to know if there is a better way to fix the kitchen slide.

I purchased 40 square feet of 1/8" UHMW this week at a local plastic supply store. I plan on adding strips to the underside of our two large slide this weekend weather permitting.


I am going to extend the strips onto the wear bar on the kitchen slide so it will not need to lift the slide over the wear bar on the heavier slide. Hopefully this method will work without issues.


On the dinette slide I may stop them short of the wear bar similar to Chuck's method and bevel the edge.



Wish me luck

[Mikendebbie]

77cruiser - how did you lift the slide to get the strips in all the way?
Did you use two jacks?

[77cruiser]

I only used 1 jack & did about half at a time. I lifted 1/2 between the end & center & used a short piece of 2X to spread the load a bit.

[Kyle and Lisa]

Originally Posted by Vet4jdc

how long is your slide out and how many strips did you install?

7' x 4' it's a kitchen slide on the passengers side, I used one on each side.

[Daryles]

Originally Posted by Route66Rambler

We did Chuck's fix to our 2019 330RL but only on the dinette slide. Installed the same material on the kitchen slide but it strained the slide motor and the slide could not go over the wear bars so it wouldn't work on that that side. I does work on the dinette slide. I believe there is a difference between these cable slides and the hydraulic slides. I don't think the cable systems have enough power to get that heavy slide over the wear bars with the added material even with a beveled edge.
Would like to know if there is a better way to fix the kitchen slide.

Any chance you could shave the outer wear bar (red arrow) so it had a better contact angle with the added UHMW add on strip.
Picture from Chucks original post.