J
Jeff
Guest
Hello Folks:
Everyone needs to check all the Screws on their Slide Outs.
Today, while preparing for our trip, I had all 3 slides out and doing my normal check everything walkaround I spotted several screws missing or sheared off on all the slides.
Now, these are the screws that hold the side walls on the trailer. You can see all the screws when the slides are open, they border the slides. Also, check behind the Rubber Seals on the slides too. I found 4 missing screws there!
Seems Heartland is using one type of screw, a self-tapping aluminum alloy piece of crap. I'm sure the screws in quantity are cheap, that's why they use them.
At any rate, ended up replacing 8 screws that were either missing (hole was there, but no screw) or was simply sheared off. Re-drilled the holes as necessary and replaced the screws with Zinc Plated ones, that should last alot longer.
Now, I know what Heartland is gonna say: A couple of screws doesn't matter! BULLSHIT! The screws were meant to be there and not be missing or sheared off. Missing screws or anything that was designed to be in place only causes more problems as the trailer gets older.
Since my dealer is 180 miles from me, I don't have time to spend a whole day, possibly 2 taking my trailer in for maintenance and repairs.
Heartland needs to be doing a better job on quality control, rather than just letting these units out the door and marking off another one!
Sorry for being so BLUNT about all this, but I'm tired of having to fix these things that should have been originally done at the factory and done right!
Looks like I need to invest in a Zine Plated Screw Company!
You all take Care.
Jeff
Everyone needs to check all the Screws on their Slide Outs.
Today, while preparing for our trip, I had all 3 slides out and doing my normal check everything walkaround I spotted several screws missing or sheared off on all the slides.
Now, these are the screws that hold the side walls on the trailer. You can see all the screws when the slides are open, they border the slides. Also, check behind the Rubber Seals on the slides too. I found 4 missing screws there!
Seems Heartland is using one type of screw, a self-tapping aluminum alloy piece of crap. I'm sure the screws in quantity are cheap, that's why they use them.
At any rate, ended up replacing 8 screws that were either missing (hole was there, but no screw) or was simply sheared off. Re-drilled the holes as necessary and replaced the screws with Zinc Plated ones, that should last alot longer.
Now, I know what Heartland is gonna say: A couple of screws doesn't matter! BULLSHIT! The screws were meant to be there and not be missing or sheared off. Missing screws or anything that was designed to be in place only causes more problems as the trailer gets older.
Since my dealer is 180 miles from me, I don't have time to spend a whole day, possibly 2 taking my trailer in for maintenance and repairs.
Heartland needs to be doing a better job on quality control, rather than just letting these units out the door and marking off another one!
Sorry for being so BLUNT about all this, but I'm tired of having to fix these things that should have been originally done at the factory and done right!
Looks like I need to invest in a Zine Plated Screw Company!
You all take Care.
Jeff