An RV or a camper van is a passenger vehicle with an attached camper. Campervans are generally designed for transporting large groups of people, such as families or dormitory-related groups, and because they offer more space and comfort than a minivan.
When you're not using your camper, it's a good idea to awning the sagging roof and cover the windows and seal off the doors with duct tape to keep out unwanted intruders. When you do use it, be sure that you empty the dirty water regularly (don't dump it on the ground).
RV slide outs are a great space saver, but if they sag or leak it can be costly. Slideout has been around since the early days of RVs and was implemented for convenience.
If you find that your slide-out is sagging or leaking, read this article and solve this problem.
Tips on How to Fix a Sagging RV Slide Out?
There are some steps that you can take to fix a sagging RV slide out, such as:
Step 1: Check the Valves
Checking and replacing any valves that are leaking will usually stop any rubber roof leaks from occurring. To check your valves, take off all the access panels, including the RV roof panel. Check your valves for any leaks or damage and replace them if needed.
Step 2: Add Additional Support Braces
Adding additional support braces will help to reduce sagging. Most RV slide outs come with vertical support braces that secure the RV slide out in place. When these brackets break or wear out, it is important to replace them immediately as this can lead to pitch problems such as saggy slides. You can easily find replacement support brackets at most hardware stores and they are very easy to install.
Step 3: Locate and Fix Leaks
Leaks are one of the main issues when dealing with a saggy RV slideout. A leak can quickly turn into serious damage if it is left untreated, so ensure you locate and fix leaks as soon as possible.
If you have a pinhole leak or rusting, repairing these issues will prevent your rv roof from getting worse over time. Small leaks and rusting are easy to fix but larger areas of sagging should be addressed by an RV professional. If the problem involves the frame, then definitely hire someone for RV repair.
Step 4: Check the Slide Out's Tracks
The tracks that allow the RV slide outs to open need to be lubricated regularly for proper use. They may also require minor repairs or replacing if they are damaged. This is especially important if your RV slide out has large sagging areas, as you may need additional support in order to prevent more weight from being put on the tracks.
Step 5: Check the Tension on the Screws
Checking and tightening any screws that might not be tightened properly will also help to reduce saggy slide out. If you have screws loose, tighten them or replace them with new ones. You can easily get replacement stainless steel screws at most hardware stores for very cheap. Make sure everything is tightened nice and tight so it doesn't come loose later on down the road.
These steps are relatively easy to complete, so do not hesitate to take care of any issues right away.
Why does an RV slide out Sags Out?
Screws Loose:
For an RV slide out, the tension on the screws might not be tight enough. And for a sagging slide out, it is often because of a leak that has gone unnoticed. In recent years, there have been an estimated 8 million miles traveled in RVs. If your RV is equipped with a slide out such as this then take preventive measures to reduce any saggy slides you may encounter.
Over Weight:
A few things that could be causing your RV sagging slide out would be being overweight. Adding on too many extra items or not weighing down your slideout can lead to the issues of a saggy slide out.
Built Lighter:
Another key factor is age. Older RV slide is more likely to sag than newer ones because they were built lighter and didn’t have the same support.
Final Words:
Repairing a saggy RV slide out can be costly if it is left untreated. Ensure you check and repair anything that might lead to problems with leaky slides over time. For larger sagging areas, hire a travel trailer professional to take a look at the problem and perform repairs.
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