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Old 06-01-2023, 05:33 PM   #1
Reset19
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Darco and The Kitchen Slide Base/Floor

We like many others have torn Darco on the underside of our kitchen slide. I have been researching what others have done for quite some time and decided to go with UHMW material and follow the guide lines posted in the documents section.

When I went to put in my first screw I was surprised to find the kitchen slide base/floor is like a hollow core door. It about an inch thick and has a Luan style panel over a minimal structure. The Darco is adhered to the thin panel.

I am curious if others have found the same slide base structure and how you have addressed the torn Darco with that structure.
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Old 06-01-2023, 08:09 PM   #2
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Currently mine has a small hole in the middle.
I've been cutting off the frayed ends to try to slow down the hole.
For now (we are traveling) I plan on jacking it up, cleaning it with rubbing alcohol and putting 4" gorilla tape all the way from the outside to as far beyond the rub bar as I can reach. I have read where others have tried this and it balled (rolled) up with the slide going in/out. I'm hoping by going under the rub bar it will not give it an edge to catch on and last long enough for us to get home.
Our bedroom slide bottom plastic shattered when we opened the slide this spring (-5⁰F winter, I think caused this). We cleaned the surface with alcohol and ran 2" gorilla tape over the cracks and tucked it as far as I could reach under the rubber seal. So far so good. Affinity RV Group will be replacing the bottom plastic after the rally in September.
When we get home I'm planning on doing Chucks UHMW repair (in the files section).
I'll probably do the same to the bedroom slide to prevent the bottom from shattering again.
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Old 06-01-2023, 08:29 PM   #3
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Which slide are you working on? On my unit, the kitchen slide is as you described. I could only put screws on the outer edges (front & rear); one row of screws per UHMW strip. The remainder of the kitchen slide has nothing to screw into; felt like cardboard.

On the other hand, the whole floor of the dining slide is solid.

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

Post 83 has a photo of my dining slide. Post 105 has a photo of my kitchen slide.
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Old 06-01-2023, 09:12 PM   #4
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I used a stud finder to find the aluminum frame under the luan. I ran UHMW on the ends and two in the middle of the slide. One row of screws on each strip attach into aluminum.
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Old 06-02-2023, 07:08 AM   #5
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The UHMW solution entails counter sunk screws. The thin panel hollow framing of the floor does not give much to screw into. Since the entire floor rests on the slide bar that extends the entire length of the slide opening, with no significant structure in the base, I am concerned that a smaller ski approach will not distribute the weight evenly. I had hoped to use large UHMW “panels”. I did try a stud finder, there is minimal structure and it will be a challenge to target the screws.
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Old 06-02-2023, 07:17 AM   #6
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By the way, thanks for sharing your efforts!!!
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Old 06-02-2023, 09:15 AM   #7
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It would sure be nice if we had a slide cross section or photo during manufacturing to know how the slide floor is constructed. Reading the posts above I am trying to figure out what you guys are describing... the floor is "hollow"?? and using a stud finder to locate the framing??

Using the sketches below and based on your experience - give me some tips as to what needs to be corrected to make the sketch more accurate.
I have no idea how the slide floor is constructed...never thought about it until now.
- Any idea what the approx. spacing is for the aluminum framing?
- Is there thicker plywood at the edges?
- How wide is the hollow portion of the slide floor?
- Is the aluminum framing 1x1 tubes?
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Old 06-02-2023, 02:22 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikendebbie View Post
It would sure be nice if we had a slide cross section or photo during manufacturing to know how the slide floor is constructed. Reading the posts above I am trying to figure out what you guys are describing... the floor is "hollow"?? and using a stud finder to locate the framing??

Using the sketches below and based on your experience - give me some tips as to what needs to be corrected to make the sketch more accurate.
I have no idea how the slide floor is constructed...never thought about it until now.
- Any idea what the approx. spacing is for the aluminum framing?
- Is there thicker plywood at the edges?
- How wide is the hollow portion of the slide floor?
- Is the aluminum framing 1x1 tubes?
Aluminum is 1 inch square. Mine had 6 aluminum tubes welded like your illustration. I don't think there is plywood other other side. I used one of the newer electronic stud finders. Once I found the aluminum I drilled a few small holes (later covered with UHMW) to determine exact placement. They are not necessarily the same spacing
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Old 06-02-2023, 04:09 PM   #9
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Your drawing is a great representation. I “suspect” it is close. The slide sits on an outrigger structure that the hydraulic ram pushes in and out. So the attachment of UHMW with screws can not be easily done to the structure under the outside wall. I can only comment on the “thin plywood” on the underside of the drawing. That is the luan style paneling you can see in my picture above. I believe the glue to hold the panel to the frame is not attached near my tear. I suspect the droop/bowing in the hanging panel is why the Darco is tearing.
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Old 06-02-2023, 08:01 PM   #10
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…thin luan-type plywood on the bottom covered with darco.
I assume there is a thicker sheet of plywood on top of the aluminum frame that serves as the slide floor - right?
So there is 1” “dead” space between plywood layers…no insulation.
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Old 06-03-2023, 07:05 AM   #11
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I can confirm your comment of 1” of dead space with no insulation. I will try to find a good place to get the thickness of the entire floor structure so as to estimate the thickness of the upper plywood layer. The slide is filled with cabinets with only a small vinyl covered visible front edge.
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Old 06-03-2023, 10:15 AM   #12
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In Chucks Darco repair thread,
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...ad.php?t=83948
Scott posted a picture of the inboard edge of the kitchen slide.
Page 5 post #82. It looks like 1/2" OSB for the top covering of the slide frame.
Makes sense, they have to mount the fridge, cabinets and couch.
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Old 06-03-2023, 05:47 PM   #13
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I took some measurements by inserting a nail in a screw hole.

1. Darco + Lower panel = 1/4”
2. Air gap + Darco = 1 1/8” Air gap = 7/8”
3. Entire width 1 7/8 “ (vinyl flooring + ??? + air gap + Darco + lower panel)

The panel above the air gap must be 5/8” assuming 1/8 “ for the vinyl.
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Old 06-03-2023, 05:58 PM   #14
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Has anyone tried Chucks method with 1 3/4 “ screws ?
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Old 06-04-2023, 07:14 AM   #15
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Update on UHMW strips I installed 3 seasons ago.. Zero issues with the UHMW.. No screw has ever backed out of the UHMW. Hydraulic slide continues to operate perfectly and smoothly.

When the t8me comes for my other main hydraulic slide to need repairs to the Darco I will use the same process But I will lift the slide up and insert the UHMW strip about 3/4 to 1 inch under the wear bar..the front edge will still have a 37 degree bevel edge on it to provide a smooth transition across the flooring ..

Which in my case is half carpet and half linoleum.. regarding screw length I don’t see and issue with using a slightly longer screw to attach the UHMW with .. there is nothing above where the screws are installed that would be damaged .. IMO

I also would use the UHMW strips as a repair on a Schwintek slide and would again lift the slide and insert UHMW onto the rollers, lower the slide and secure the strip.

** Important to check the V rollers (both upper and lower on each side of the Schwintek slide after using UHMW (.125 thick) amd verify the rollers can be turned by finger pressure..

If they are too tight and can’t be turned then a minor adjustments on the rollers to attain proper vertical height so the V rollers turn via finger pressure would be in order

** v rollers must be able t9 be turned with fingers But not spin freely (Per Lippert Schwintek
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Old 06-04-2023, 07:33 AM   #16
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Thankyou for the update and your documentation!
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Old 06-10-2023, 09:12 AM   #17
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We too had this issue. I also put UHMW on three strips under the slide. I pushed it up thru into the dining room and folded it over the edge of the floor under the carpet. Then I stapled it down on the end. Then I closed the slide most of the way. By doing this the slide pulled the uhmw tight and the stick on surface was pressed into place. Then I stapled the second end in place.
As for the torn fabric. I wasn’t sure how to stop it. So I bought some spray on clear coat at one of the home centers. After a few coats it kinda glued the surface down. So far in 3 years it hasn’t got any worse. But it is a poor design. They could have added the slide strips very easily at the factory. It would prevent this and make happier customers.
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Old 06-10-2023, 09:18 AM   #18
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This is what I used. It’s great stuff. Photo attached. (I hope)
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Old 06-10-2023, 01:02 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Randy E View Post
This is what I used. It’s great stuff. Photo attached. (I hope)

I originally did my slide using self adhesive UHMW tape. After 4 years, the adhesive dried out and stopped sticking. Bunched up when moving slide. Re-did it using ChuckS method with 1/8" thick UHMW. Works great and will last the life of the rig.
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Old 06-10-2023, 04:19 PM   #20
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Flex Tape
https://flexsealproducts.com/products/flex-tape
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