Replacing Disintegrating Slide Out Seal on 2012 Montana 3000RE

[Campingshadow]

I am an 81 yr old widow living full time in an RV park. The slide out seal next to the door on my 2012 Montana 3000RE 5th wheel is totally falling apart. How do I find out which kind of seal to replace it? Is this something I call an RV repairman to fix? There is a slide topper over the slide which is about 20 ft long.

Any advice would be most welcome.

 

[RMcNeal]

Most slides have 2 types of seals. The outer one is a "bulb" seal. It presses against the outside wall to seal out wind and rain. The inner seal is a "wiper" seal. It looks like a flat rubber piece not unlike a squeegee.
My guess is that it is not something you would probably replace yourself. If your rig is not movable, then you might consider finding a mobile RV tech. If you can move it, you could take it to an RV repair place. It's not a difficult job, but probably not something you might consider doing yourself.

 

[Mikendebbie]

Yes - call a mobile RV Tech to replace the seals. I did a quick search of the forum for “slide seals” and found this interesting thread from Dec 2024. Post #6 from ChuckS has a link to the replacement wiper seal parts, and a couple of his videos.

It is my understanding that rubber degrades over time, especially if previous owners of your rig used the wrong rubber treatment/preservative…they don’t last forever.

Perhaps someone in the forum can share personal experience costs for having a mobile tech do the job for you.
My GUESS for order of magnitude cost is…
Replacement wiper seals - $150
Labor at $200/hr - say 1.5 hours = $300
So I am guessing this could run between $400 to $600…maybe less.
The comments in the thread below (post #6, 7, 8 & 9) seem to indicate that it is not a difficult job. It’s good you caught this now!

Of course there are some variables that could affect my GUESS…your Tech might charge less than $200/hr, and there may be some additional misc parts needed. My point is that it is not a $100 job - but it is NOT a $1000 job either!

Slide jumping when extending

Our main slide bottom goes out about 8 inches but the top stays put and then jumps out. I think this all started after the seal at the top was replaced in August. Upon examination the seal hard part with the screws seems maybe 1/4 inch too wide and fits right against the slide top. When open...

www.montanaowners.com

 

[twindman]

If you (or someone you know) can climb a step ladder, this seal is easy to replace. (at least on my rigs) There is a screw thru the seal at the top and/or the bottom. Remove this and the whole seal just slides down and off. Reverse the process to install the new seal. And several years ago, I think the seals were only $2-3 a foot, so not very expensive. Even at $10 a foot, it still is less than $100.

 

[Campingshadow]

Thank you to everyone. So grateful for your help and guidance. This is the information I have needed. My RV is stationary, so I will have to get a mobile RV tech to come and work on it.

Next question…in researching seals, I see there are a variety of types. Am I correct that the tech will know which one to use?

I have attached a pic of the one that is falling apart. So far does not seem to be causing great issues because the seal inside still seems to be intact. But definitely an eyesore if nothing else.

 

[Mikendebbie]

This is the amazon product ChuckS refrrenced in the thread I linked…$120 for a length or roll that i cant find anywhere in the description.
I am guessing that Campingshadow will need 7’ vertical +7’ vertical + 12’ across the roof (~26 lf)…I would buy 30’ just to make sure i had enough.

How many LF does $120 on Amazon get you????

 

[twindman]

I forget for sure, but there may be different lengths (widths?) of seals. Measure the 'flappy' part and describe it to whomever you buy from.

 

[RMcNeal]

Any mobile tech should be able to measure your existing seals and get the correct size. Just do your best to find a reputable mobile tech.

 

[c214dick3]

Being almost 80 with a number of physical limitations, I am taking my Monte to our local dealer for some routine maintenance before heading out in May for a number of trips.
I plan on having them inspect all seals and replace where necessary. A couple of years ago my grandson replaced some of them for me but I’m sure I need the rest replaced.

 

[c214dick3]

Being almost 80 with a number of physical limitations, I am taking my Monte to our local dealer for some routine maintenance before heading out in May for a number of trips.
I plan on having them inspect all seals and replace where necessary. A couple of years ago my grandson replaced some of them for me but I’m sure I need the rest replaced.

 

[Rene T]

What you could do is pull the seal down just an inch or so and cut it iff. Then take it to a rv store and see if they have a match. My seal were nothing like the one in post #6.

 

[Scott and Tracy]

I am an 81 yr old widow living full time in an RV park. The slide out seal next to the door on my 2012 Montana 3000RE 5th wheel is totally falling apart. How do I find out which kind of seal to replace it? Is this something I call an RV repairman to fix? There is a slide topper over the slide which is about 20 ft long.

Any advice would be most welcome.

If you have the ability and a friend to help, you can change the seals out yourself. Go to keystonerv.com and click on the owner's support tab. Tell them what Year and model you have and attach a picture of the seal on the slide. They will give you a part number to order. They may ask more questions depending on the year of your rig. If you hire a RV tech, it will cost you a lot more money. So, you need to decide what you can afford and what you are capable of doing.

 

[twindman]

As to doing it yourself, it only takes about 10 minutes for an end of slide seal. Unscrew one (or 2) screws and pull it down and out. Reverse for installation. Horizontal one is a little harder as you have to work both ends of the slide.