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Old 10-09-2019, 01:02 AM   #1
WNY Bullet
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Another Lippert Flex Guard Broken

Last year about this time I had to replace the Flex Guard triple kit on my kitchen slide because it broke at the frame. Yesterday I went under the trailer to inspect everything to prep for winterizing and my Flex guard on the sofa/dinette slide is broken in half. Is anyone else having problems with their wiring Flex Guards? Do these age out?

Sorry for the out of focus picture, but it was night time with a flashlight!

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Old 10-09-2019, 01:58 AM   #2
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broken in 3 spots. JUNK
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Old 10-09-2019, 04:17 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by Northofu1 View Post
broken in 3 spots. JUNK
I’m not so sure they are junk, I see thousands on lots of other trailers that aren’t broken. There can be a few different reasons for failure including cut too short.
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Old 10-09-2019, 04:35 AM   #4
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no problems out of mine in over 45 trips.
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Old 10-09-2019, 05:26 AM   #5
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I’m not so sure they are junk, I see thousands on lots of other trailers that aren’t broken. There can be a few different reasons for failure including cut too short.
They are on these two 26RBPR's. Is it a Northern or model thing?
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Old 10-09-2019, 05:39 AM   #6
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My slide wiring harness is supported by two separate pieces of plastic (to stiffen and support the wires) and a "screen door spring" that stretches when the slide is out and pulls the wiring in and up when the slide is retracted. It's an "old, reliable means of keeping the slide harness from drooping, but I was surprised to find there was no "modern wire loom" (FlexGuard) under the slides when I bought the trailer in 2013.
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Old 10-09-2019, 07:11 AM   #7
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I had one break where it attaches to slide just drilled a few new holes and reattached has held ever since. That’s been two years ago.
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Old 10-09-2019, 08:39 AM   #8
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Here is a recent thread I started on the topic;

http://www.keystoneforums.com/forums...ad.php?t=40045

I have repaired them multiple times by just cutting them off, redrilling the holes and reattaching the ends. Each time they break again over time. In past research I believe I recall it being said that the flex guard had some sort of material inside it to keep it from breaking. I figured there was a wire or something in the thick little band at the time....there isn't. It's just a piece of flexible plastic sandwiched between two pieces of metal under the body that flexes every time the slide goes in or out. Of course the other end swivels on the rod that the other end of the flex guard slides over.

When I cut the flex off in the past I would extend/retract the slide to make sure it wasn't too long/short and it wasn't, BUT, that plastic belt sure bends back and forth no matter what which undoubtedly leads to failure at some point.

This last time I decided I wasn't going to try to use the same method and did some research on ways to stop the flex. That solution was a hinge as mentioned in the post above. Haven't got to use it yet but watching it work gives me very high hopes that the issue is now solved.....I hope. We'll see in a few months. I looked for a piano hinge but instead had to use something like this;

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...3594/203170039

Believe it was 2 1/2". Nothing would match the pre drilled holes in the flex guard so got something where I could drill new holes. Time will tell and good luck.
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Old 10-09-2019, 11:06 AM   #9
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If you are talking about the plastic wire loom and hyd hose support then yes they will break... mine did on one side and I repaired using a stainless steel hinge mounted to frame with stainless #10 SM screws... Used two 10x32 stainless machine screws with washers and nuts to secure plastic to other side of hinge.. it could have used 3 screws but two is what I had on hand..

4 years later and as good as new....
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Old 10-09-2019, 03:01 PM   #10
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If you are talking about the plastic wire loom and hyd hose support then yes they will break... mine did on one side and I repaired using a stainless steel hinge mounted to frame with stainless #10 SM screws... Used two 10x32 stainless machine screws with washers and nuts to secure plastic to other side of hinge.. it could have used 3 screws but two is what I had on hand..

4 years later and as good as new....
Unfortunately mine snapped right in the middle, not at the chassis.
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Old 10-09-2019, 03:30 PM   #11
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Unfortunately mine snapped right in the middle, not at the chassis.
You can order a new one from Amazon; about $26 if I recall. They come in sizes with looms for 1, 2 or 3 cables/hoses. Instead of disconnecting the hoses/wires I just slid the looms off the old flex guard and slid them onto the new one. Very quick and easy. If yours broke in the middle you could probably just screw them back to the frame mount like they are unless you wanted to change it to a hinge.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lippert+f...f=nb_sb_noss_1
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Old 10-09-2019, 07:33 PM   #12
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Had one snap in the middle on previous trailer (Cougar), wrapped it with Gorilla tape and it worked fine for about a year until I traded trailers.
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Old 10-10-2019, 02:55 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by sourdough View Post
You can order a new one from Amazon; about $26 if I recall. They come in sizes with looms for 1, 2 or 3 cables/hoses. Instead of disconnecting the hoses/wires I just slid the looms off the old flex guard and slid them onto the new one. Very quick and easy. If yours broke in the middle you could probably just screw them back to the frame mount like they are unless you wanted to change it to a hinge.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lippert+f...f=nb_sb_noss_1
I already have one at the house ready to install thanks to Amazon Prime!

Yes, this repair will be much easier since the looms are intact. My triple flex guard wasn't the same issue, many of the looms were broken too, so I had to disconnect the AC, DC, & LP lines to feed trough the new looms.
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Old 10-10-2019, 07:05 AM   #14
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I already have one at the house ready to install thanks to Amazon Prime!

Yes, this repair will be much easier since the looms are intact. My triple flex guard wasn't the same issue, many of the looms were broken too, so I had to disconnect the AC, DC, & LP lines to feed trough the new looms.

I had read somewhere, some time back that you could "cut" the hole in the loom for the power/LP lines and place them through the slit in the loom. Haven't looked into the feasibility of doing that and didn't this time but it might be something to consider in the future if you could possibly make the slit at the top so the hoses/cable wasn't putting pressure onto the slit....
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Old 10-21-2019, 05:25 AM   #15
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Broken here too...since before we owned it. Was a 1yr old unit we bought and it was snapped. Ours has power wires and a water line for the residential fridge ice maker.
Haven't bothered fixing it but may try the hinge method
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