Wall loose from frame

[CedarCreekWoody]

My Laredo has cable operated slides. When closing the slide it is drawn in by a cable. However one of my slides is pulling the wall out rather than the slide in. The wall has obviously broken loose from the frame at the bottom. How are these laminated wall panels attached to the frame?
I expect this to be covered by the three year structure warranty but I am currently two months and 1500 miles from my texas dealer. We are making do my leaving that slide closed. Not convenient, but workable. Too major of a repair to undertake on the road.

[chuckster57]

We just repaired a Montana with the same issue. Found the weld at the base of the wall and floor broke by a screw put in at the factory through the weld.

We also found that it bent and pulled out 3 screws that hold the cable system to the wall. fix:

Removed the slide, welded the corner and added new framing. moved screws that hold the slide system to the wall. Reassembled and all good. It was NOT an easy fix as the slide was the kitchen with a Residential fridge and about 14' long.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Thanks Chuckster! That exactly describes what I expect them to find with mine. The slide is about the same size with two RV fridges (elec/propane) side by side. Once I return I will be about 2 yr, 10 months into my three year structural warranty so I'm hoping Keystone will cover it.

[Camping family]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

Thanks Chuckster! That exactly describes what I expect them to find with mine. The slide is about the same size with two RV fridges (elec/propane) side by side. Once I return I will be about 2 yr, 10 months into my three year structural warranty so I'm hoping Keystone will cover it.

I would contact them and report the issues. Let them know you are away. Don’t wait till you get back to report it.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Originally Posted by Camping family

I would contact them and report the issues. Let them know you are away. Don’t wait till you get back to report it.

I have done that.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Well good news for me. Keystone approved repairing my wall just before the 3 year structure warranty runs out. They are not removing the slide, only the J wrap. It is then being welded and a gusset welded to hold it in place. Hopefully that will work and it will hold.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

Well good news for me. Keystone approved repairing my wall just before the 3 year structure warranty runs out. They are not removing the slide, only the J wrap. It is then being welded and a gusset welded to hold it in place. Hopefully that will work and it will hold.

Good new indeed !

[chuckster57]

Good to hear, I hope it fixes it permanently.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Good to hear, I hope it fixes it permanently.

That is my concern as well since they are not removing the slide. They are bringing in a professional welder for the aluminum weld so hopefully he can make it solid.

[chuckster57]

A “professional” welder? I guess they don’t have a tech that’s good at aluminum welding. I have done some at the my present employer, and I will say I’m getting better.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

A “professional” welder? I guess they don’t have a tech that’s good at aluminum welding. I have done some at the my present employer, and I will say I’m getting better.

That's my description but yes an outside welder. I was glad to see that as aluminum can be tricky to weld properly.

[chuckster57]

It is different from steel that’s for sure. We use a wire feed and if I remember right a gas mix. Every time I weld, I get better at it.

[sourdough]

Good news Woody! Hopefully the repairs they perform will be exactly what is needed. Good luck!

[CedarCreekWoody]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

It is different from steel that’s for sure. We use a wire feed and if I remember right a gas mix. Every time I weld, I get better at it.

I have also welded aluminum with wire but it takes a special gun.The aluminum wire is soft and it wads up and makes a rats nest with a regular gun. And an inert gas.

[chuckster57]

Yup. Our welder has 2 guns and you just switch the gas hose to feed the appropriate one.

[CedarCreekWoody]

Keystone came through for me! With only a couple of months remaining on the three year structure warranty they covered the cost of the repair. Thanks to my dealer, Welcome Back RV in Athens, Texas even though they are no longer a Keystone dealer.
Now let's hope the welded gusset holds!

[chuckster57]

Thanks for the update, Time will tell.