It’s Out! RV Slideout Removal and Repair. It’s Not Good News.

It’s out! ..... Yes. The slideout is out! Ok finally making some good progress on the truck camper repairs. It’s not good news though. I’m also finding more things to be repaired. That’s ok.... I’m tearing into the walls to repair the frame but finding more rotten luan plywood and broken welds in the aluminum frame.
Tearing into the truck camper to repair some aluminum frame damage caused by years of road stress. The slide out supports have broken away from the main frame so it’s time to dig in and look at what needs to be done to repair and Rebuild the RV to make it stronger. We will be remodeling the entire interior (and possibly the exterior) of the truck camper while we have it apart.
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[@danamiller731]

Good video,Thanks. I am taking my slide out "Out" on my 38 ft. Kuntry Aire 5th wheel and going to put a door maybe a sliding patio door out to a deck. So your video was helpful. Thanks again.

[@alpine8525]

Kudos to you! Im gaining alot of knowledge from your videos. Good luck!

[@randpamadventures8374]

Wow what a project, great work 👍

[@tecknopopoff]

Thanks for the insight

[@tommychong9735]

Thank you so much for uploading Great video. I might have to do the same work pretty soon

[@covetthecamper2289]

You’re welcome. It’s a lot of work but we’ll worth the effort.

[@irapickard6775]

To do what you are doing is amazing. I can tell you are not intimidated by anything.

[@covetthecamper2289]

Thanks! I appreciate the kind words. The really amazing thing will be if it goes back together! 😉

[@irapickard6775]

From what I have seen in past videos and the the things you have built your are a craftsman. When finished it will be completely different than the original. More durable. You should seriously contemplate building a camper from scratch.

[@covetthecamper2289]

Repairing aluminum frame damage in the slideout corners caused by the garbage roads we have here in the good ole USA. I-40 in CA, AZ, NM, many Texas state Hwy around Amarillo, Wichita Falls and Dallas. While tearing into the camper to make the repairs I found (not surprising) wood rot from years of water leaks on and around the slideout. I’m replacing everything with waterproof and rot resistant composite materials. I’ll re-weld and bracket all four of the slideout opening corners. Reseal all exterior joints. Replace all hardware fasteners and coat each with anti-corrosion paste.

[@jasonhinson3812]

Very brave man😂🤣

[@yourfulltimervliving9414]

It looks like it has been a real project for you so far Jeff, but as you suspected. Press on . . .

[@covetthecamper2289]

Yep. Very interesting and kind-of fun tearing into the camper. The rebuild and remodel has started so more videos to come!

[@sbtoolman12123]

That is one OLD unit, holy cow i have not seen that style of unit in a very long time!

[@Craig2760]

Looking at a used camper on Craigslist ; “in great shape, slide out could use some work”. After watching your video, we’re passing on it.

[@covetthecamper2289]

There are many possible issues with a slide room. Most are minor adjustments. Some require extensive repair.

[@deborahsmith9232]

Omg finally a rv gut. Looking to remove bunk beds and convert to closet ant advice?

[@fahey6797]

I purchased a truck camper last year and I chose the Lance 850. I didn't want any model with a slide-out. Between eventual leaking and potential mechanical problems with the mechanism, I didn't want to deal with headaches down the road. (pun intended)

[@gpauloj7]

Hi from france, sorry for my frenchglish, I travelled south america with my defender 130 and a nice camper on it, but I want to build my own but with slide outs, my biggest problem is to get sure about no water infiltrations, maybe you know a youtube channel where i can see how to do a slide out from a to z, Thanks

[@ronron6211]

I have the same camper. Got it a few years ago to replace my 5th wheel. I really wanted a Bigfoot but got this in great shape for $3000 in so Cal. After watching your videos and knowing how cheaply they are made, I'm kinda wishing I waited for the Bigfoot. Oh well....I do love my camper nonetheless. Thanks for posting.

[@covetthecamper2289]

They are made relatively poorly compared to Bigfoot or Northern Lite campers. You got a good deal at $3K. I’ve seen a few around California for $8-12K.

[@ronron6211]

@@covetthecamper2289 Do you have a generator? If so, where do you store it. Costco has a nice Yamaha 2000 watts for $400. Tired of lugging around a larger Champion 4000.

[@covetthecamper2289]

Ron Stiff I have a portable inverter gen. Sits on the front hitch rack when I need it. RV shore power plug reaches.

[@freetoroam7769]

I went from a Lance to a Bigfoot two years ago, and there's no going back. The Bigfoot is built so much better. I expect this to be the last camper I'll ever need.

[@xlr8bmt]

We're on our way to do this as well. March 2022

[@covetthecamper2289]

Nice. Good luck to you. It was an experience. Camper is still working great though. I’m glad that I spent the time to repair and remodel it. Thanks for watching.

[@mjmohn]

Conducting the autopsy on the truck camper. Interesting. While there are many different "classes" of RV's (A,B,C and so on), there are actually only two "types" of RV's. Those two are ... Those that leak, and those that are going to leak. Use marine grade plywood and marine grade hardware on the rebuild. We did when we addressed similar issues. We look at the TC as a "boat" and now we are sure the TC won't sink in the future from water damage. There is no doubt you will have a "built right" truck camper when complete. Good luck

[@covetthecamper2289]

You got that right. They will all have damage at some point. It’s no different than owning a sticks & bricks house. Maintenance is key. I’m using all composite materials for their lightweight and water/rot resistance properties. Still a lot left to do. Just taking small bites and taking my time chewing.

[@rax7111]

Covet the Camper - I agree on composites. I wouldn’t put any wood/plywood back into the structure.

[@ronron6211]

Love your vids! Do you have one on adjusting the slide? Mine has about an inch gap on the top. Thanks

[@covetthecamper2289]

Thanks! I’ll have a video coming soon on the installation of my newly rebuilt slideout which includes all of the adjustment methods.

[@covetthecamper2289]

Are you using the road lock dowels? A lot of these rack & pinion style slideouts require the use of road-lock dowels to close properly. It really becomes noticeable after wear&tear on the slideout frame.

[@ronron6211]

@@covetthecamper2289 I haven't used it because it seems previous owner opened slide with it in and damaged the outside. Should I force it closed and use dowel or would this cause more problems? I have fixed the outside damage. Can I use dowel anywhere along top of slide? Thanks again

[@brianhopkins6657]

I have a camper slideout that has water damage and will need to be removed, how is the slideout attached to electric track or do you have info on this.

[@kevinjhonson5925]

I look at travel trailers as 6 year purchases after that dump it. They are all junk. Hats of to you doing all this work

[@rax7111]

Steel screws may be reacting to the aluminum trim. Galvanic reaction??

[@covetthecamper2289]

Possibly. Am using Tef-Gel on all of the new fasteners.

[@laurieforsyth8643]

i dont have the option of a man fixing ours. how much is it going to cost to have someone do it for me? thank you.

[@covetthecamper2289]

It really depends on what needs to be repaired and the $/hr rate of the shop or mobile tech.

[@wdeadfan]

Did you actually finish this project? If you did, you are my new hero 🤣🤣🤣

[@covetthecamper2289]

Yep finished the full rebuild of the Slideout, frame repair and a nice remodel of the interior last year. Still working great. There’s videos of the whole deal here on my channel including the final reveal video. Truck Camper Rebuild & Remodel is Finished! Structural & Cosmetic kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYfVg2utmLahhpI

[@outdoorswithlarryrobin]

Curious about the rot, my 2006 Lance 851 with sidewall slide is supposed to be the first all aluminum frame work! What year is your unit? Bold Repair!👍🏼

[@covetthecamper2289]

Lance campers started constructing some of the higher-end campers with aluminum frames in 1998 for the 1999 model year. Mine is a 2003 Fleetwood Elkhorn

[@covetthecamper2289]

Lance started using Azdel composite substrate in place of the garbage Luan plywood in 2006. That’s a very nice camper.

[@brettallenthomas]

That's the most overbuild slide-out platform ever.. you could probably support the whole camper on that structure...

[@covetthecamper2289]

Yep. I built it to support the weight of a few people and the Slideout room as I was unsure if I could pull everything by myself. The slide room and mechanism was only a couple hundred pounds.

[@christinalouallen9757]

So did you work on it with it slid in or out bc I've gotta do the same thang to mine

[@covetthecamper2289]

Pulled the Slideout. Rebuilt the entire box, camper shoulder, side skirt and remodeled the interior. Videos on all of the work here on my channel.

[@christinalouallen9757]

@@covetthecamper2289 thank you

[@tegan007]

HI i am wondering could someone just remove it and then put wood and insulation and make a wall where it use to be if you didn't want the slide out anymore?

[@covetthecamper2289]

I’m sure it could be done. The outside wall on my slideout detaches from the slideout box. (Already has the windows and storage compartment doors) that could be permanently attached to the rv sidewall and sealed. On mine, the Slideout floor is raised and the mechanism (rack, motor, gears etc) are all mounted underneath along with wiring & LP gas line to furnace. A new raised floor above the subfloor could be constructed to cover/protect those lines and wires.

[@Abeaness]

What is you do at Fleetwood? This sort of stuff (building campers?)

[@covetthecamper2289]

I worked on the assembly line building Class C Motorhomes. I worked in various departments like windows and doors, carpet and cabinets installation, fiberglass caps and exterior lights etc.

[@Abeaness]

👍😀That foundational knowledge and experience comes in handy (although not exactly with the slides which apparently were more common after your time there - as noted) - but- it has to be a bit less intimidating when you work on such repair projects, I would think!) Thanks so much for these videos, as it truly helps inform/educate those of us with far less knowledge and experience with this sort of RV stuff!)

[@rockygoomba3223]

Slide outs are not worth the trouble.

[@sarmce]

So what happened

[@covetthecamper2289]

Repairing aluminum frame damage in the slideout corners caused by the garbage roads we have here in the good ole USA. I-40 in AZ in several places, many Texas state Hwy around Amarillo, Wichita Falls and Dallas. While tearing into the camper to make the repairs I found (not surprising) wood rot from years of water leaks on and around the slideout. I’m replacing everything with waterproof and rot resistant composite materials. I’ll re-weld and bracket all four of the slideout opening corners. Reseal all exterior joints. Replace all hardware fasteners and coat each with anti-corrosion paste.

[@sarmce]

Wow I have a 2001 forst river its licing in The fornt overhang I tried everything to find it and no luck

[@covetthecamper2289]

Did you inspect the seals and lenses on your clearance lights? These are overlooked often.

[@sarmce]

I think it's the light I as took the window out it and it slow down

[@covetthecamper2289]

I had the same issue. I replaced all five lights and lenses with the led style and resealed everything a couple years ago. It’s dry up there but the damage was done. I’ll be replacing the front cap with all composite materials.

[@codycairns3564]

There's no easy fix. They aren't built to be repaired easily.

[@covetthecamper2289]

Yep. I worked at a Fleetwood Factory building Class C motorhomes on the assembly line for just about 10 years. It’s not impossible to repair, but not easy. When I did this rebuild a couple of years ago, I had to get creative with materials and methods.

[@sblsbl7600]

I won't buy a slide-in with slide-out.

[@themont1450]

Way to much talking..and wasted time..

[@rodneyjohnston6280]

You talk too much you drive me crazy you talk too much I don't know why you talk too much

[@covetthecamper2289]

Well, you keep commenting the same thing. Again, just stop watching my videos and they won’t annoy you any longer. It’s really that easy.... 🤦‍♂️

[@rodneyjohnston6280]

You talk too much you could have had that job done by now

[@covetthecamper2289]

Ok... thanks for the comment. My advice to you is stop watching my videos. Problem solved. 🤦‍♂️

[@covetthecamper2289]

Well, you keep commenting the same thing. Again, just stop watching my videos and they won’t annoy you any longer. It’s really that easy.... 🤦‍♂️