Drawer Rail Problems

hoffbrew · 04-13-2012, 11:37 AM

I go through LOTS of drawer braces (H306) on my Raptor 3612, Does anyone else have these problems? My drawer rails slide into a plastic coupling (H306) and brake/crack all the time and it is getting old! I seriously buy these 10 packs at a time and replace when I get to my destination.

hoffbrew · 04-13-2012, 11:42 AM

Here is the H306 drawer slide coup.

allentx1 · 04-13-2012, 12:26 PM

Have you considered just replacing with a set of metal slides? Seems like at this point you would have either paid for a new set or built one out of wood. Either seems easier than always repairing. A lot of what I have that keeps breaking, I either get rid of it or try to modify it. Good luck with that.

hoffbrew · 04-13-2012, 12:34 PM

For sure would like to do something else but my drawer rails are free floating, nothing to mount to except the back wall into these H306 couplings. There are no sides behind the face of my drawer cabinets. Terrible design.

I just found this link while searching. This is what i am going through, but there has to be a better way???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z2QtZpKHaY

therink · 04-13-2012, 02:59 PM

I replaced a bunch of mine with metal hardware and drawer glide kits from Lowes. One of the first mods I did. I also installed child proof latches on the front facing drawers to keep them closed while traveling.

hoffbrew · 04-15-2012, 07:23 AM

This might be the ticket... I purchased 10 of these braces yesterday and installed 1 last night ... Seems to be stronger. I will tackle the rest today or next weekend but the next trip out will be the test.

Bob Landry · 04-15-2012, 08:01 AM

This is a problem for every new Keystone owner. Certainly, replacing plastic drawer hardware with metal is going to help, but you are going to have to support the rear of the drawer slides so that they can not bounce while you are traveling. I did it by putting screws through the horizontal support into the cabinet behind the drawers. Mine originally had one screw through the middle of the support which did not keep the drawer from swiveling on the screw as I was moving and bouncing. If you have nothing to screw into, then you are going to have to be creative, bu the rear has to have support.. Also, my drawer slides were put together with scraps of 1/8" plywood and staples. It only took one trip for those to tear out. I replaced all of that with 1/2" plywood pieces, wood screws and glue where needed and have not had to deal with any more drawer issues.
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Jim W · 04-16-2012, 06:04 AM

What Keystone and the rest of the industry are using is called face frame cabinets. The drawer slides are built for these face frame cabinets and they will always use the lowest cost material for hardware.
I had to replace mine in my older 06 Ameri-camp unit F270RK. I took the cabinets apart and built supports for 100 LBS drawer slides that I purchased at Rockler Woodworking and Hardware Co.
Rockler also sells a metal support bracket instead of the plastic ones. I believe the metal brackets will fit Centerline drawer slides only and are rated for 100 LBS. So you will also need to purchase new draw slides also.
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...ide%20brackets
Jim W.

campingcpl · 04-16-2012, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoffbrew

Here is the H306 drawer slide coup.

I had problems with these breaking all the time too so I replaced ours with heavier ones I was able to get at either Lowes or Menards. They are one piece instead of a two piece design and a lot heavier plastic. So far I have had no problem with brackets breaking after changing them. It's a cheap fix without having to do a complete replacement of the drawer glides.

rhagfo · 04-24-2012, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by campingcpl

I had problems with these breaking all the time too so I replaced ours with heavier ones I was able to get at either Lowes or Menards. They are one piece instead of a two piece design and a lot heavier plastic. So far I have had no problem with brackets breaking after changing them. It's a cheap fix without having to do a complete replacement of the drawer glides.

This is just the nature of the beast, you don't want a 30' 16K trailer, something have to be lightened up.
This is on my to do list with our new to use 05 Copper Canyon. We keep our unit ready to go at all times at least four days worth of mixed clothing and bedding, just add perishable food.
I plan on reenforcing the wall brackets and making sure that all the drawers fit the slides.

jsmith948 · 04-25-2012, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoffbrew

I go through LOTS of drawer braces (H306) on my Raptor 3612, Does anyone else have these problems? My drawer rails slide into a plastic coupling (H306) and brake/crack all the time and it is getting old! I seriously buy these 10 packs at a time and replace when I get to my destination.

FWIW, have you balanced your tires/wheels?
an badly unbalanced tire would tend to shake things up back there

rhagfo · 05-08-2012, 07:43 AM

Well while we were out this weekend i spent about two hours going through all the drawer slide issues.
I found the biggest issues with our unit is that the, cabinet opening was wider than the drawer, and the slides spread as they to the cabinet opening.
I shimmed these out so they fit the drawer with and all are great.
I do have two large drawers in the kitchen which may need stronger slides or reinforcement.

tahoecamper · 02-20-2014, 12:16 PM

Hi hoffbrew.
I see that you buy the plastic braces. I don't want to go to the trouble of installing new style metal braces so I am willing to just replace the broken braces H306. We stay in Palm Springs in the RV for winter and do not travel with it. However, I have no idea where to purchase them. Can I find them online. thanks for your help.

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