2011 Outback 250rs

[CaptainMcJedi]

Howdy folks... New to the forum and wanted a little guidance.

We got a new-to-us 2011 Outback a year or so ago. It's in pretty great shape all things considered. Since I've had it, it's gotten new tires, I replaced the awning, and a few new plumbing parts that had sprung a leak.

The thing that's got me a little worried is the outer panel of the rear slide. Looks like the previous owner backed into something that punched a hole in the panel, then it was filled with caulk or sealant, but not before enough moisture got in to affect laminate underneath. And to cover it up, the dealer (I assume it was them) put a couple vents over the damage that were rated for indoor use... which rusted. I just pulled those off to really get a feel for the damage. The good news is inside is not showing any water damage.

It looks like each cap in the 4 corners of the slide (on the outside) could be taken off, and then pull off the narrow plastic trim around the edge to access the entire fiberglass panel... and from there just replace with a new piece. That seems easier than trying to patch the hole, and I could get a better feel of the damage underneath.

Anyone here ever dealt with repairs like that to the rear slide? I searched around the forum and the web in general; didn't really see anything specific to these Outbacks with the rear slide.

I attached some pics... hopefully those show up.

[chuckster57]

Welcome to the forum

What your looking to do is not a real difficult procedure, just labor intensive.

The edges are called facia and if they aren’t bent you can re use them along with the corners. Once the facias are off you can probably replace the outer skin and the wood sheet underneath. The outside is called Filon, and it’s glued to different materials, but Luan is my guess in this case.

I’m sure we could walk you through the process.

[CaptainMcJedi]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Welcome to the forum

What your looking to do is not a real difficult procedure, just labor intensive.

The edges are called facia and if they aren’t bent you can re use them along with the corners. Once the facias are off you can probably replace the outer skin and the wood sheet underneath. The outside is called Filon, and it’s glued to different materials, but Luan is my guess in this case.

I’m sure we could walk you through the process.

Awesome. Thanks chuckster. I'm planning to start taking it apart tomorrow... Supposed to be good weather this weekend, so hoping I can knock it out. I'll be careful on the facia. I was thinking I'd be able to find a fiberglass (or even pvc) 4x8 panel at lowes or home depot that would work. At least something that would be ok in the interim and keep moisture from seeping in.

[chuckster57]

Feel free to PM me if you need any additional info.

[CaptainMcJedi]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Feel free to PM me if you need any additional info.

Thanks man... I appreciate it!

[CaptainMcJedi]

Dug into it today. Wasn't as bad as I imagined. Just a lot of scraping old sealant off. Took off the bottom facia and slid it out... ended up having to take off the top facia too bc they stapled that panel in place under the vapor barier that's on the top of the slide. Wanted to make sure I got the new piece back in place and sealed up good. Here's some pics... water damage wasn't as bad as I imagined either.

[chuckster57]

It does look clean. Our shop would have removed all the facias so we could secure the new material and seal it.

[CaptainMcJedi]

Got the last of it done this weekend. Replaced the insulation with foam insulation. Looks less... mouse friendly. Maybe?

Ended up making a piece of material out of 2.5mm plywood and 1/16" pvc 4X8 sheet. Glued them together with liquid nails, but if I had to do it over again I would use a roll on/brush on adhesive. Once it cured you could see all the lines that I put on with the caulk gun. Oh well... learned from that one.

Got it all fastened back to the frame with stainless hardware. Resealed everything with some roof sealant all the way around. Seems like its gonna hold up well. And one less thing I have to worry about for the next trip at the end of the month.

[chuckster57]

Looks real good!!

[flybouy]

Looks professional!

[bsmith0404]

Now you just need some decals.

[CaptainMcJedi]

Thanks yall! Glad it's done... and not that thing weighing on the back of my mind anymore.

[chuckster57]

You did good. Maybe a graphic:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...9858f48c8046b6

[CaptainMcJedi]

Hey chuckster (et al)... got a question for you on another part of my rear slide. The tracks that mount to the roof on the inside have cracked and separated a little at the very end of the track (where the slide is all the way closed). How worried should I be about this... a lot or a little?

Here's some pics.

[CaptainMcJedi]

Originally Posted by CaptainMcJedi

Here's some pics.

Ah crap those are upside down

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by CaptainMcJedi

Ah crap those are upside down

Copy the image (you can copy right from the site) and paste into MSPaint and rotate 180 degrees and save and repost if it helps.

[CaptainMcJedi]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

Copy the image (you can copy right from the site) and paste into MSPaint and rotate 180 degrees and save and repost if it helps.

Thanks! I knew I should've hit that Preview Post button.

[wiredgeorge]

What is above the plywood in the slide out where the bolt is bending the metal piece? If you can get to it, suspect I would be inclined to use a solid steel plate; maybe 4"x4" and drill a hole and have a bolt go through and do similar on the other side if possible. Don't know how these things are constructed but it is obvious the bolt appears to be pulling through and the small metal plate is not very strong and will eventually fail.

[chuckster57]

If I was guessing I would say the rail screw goes onto wood. The fix may be a bit labor intensive.