Slide Out Support - 2023 Micro Minnie 2108DS

[DEWEY-WO]

We own a 2023 Micro Minnie 2108DS, and have read many posts related to slide out issues. IMO, many of these issues are a result of hanging so much weight on a fairly light duty slide out mechanism (SchwinTek). Two things the dealer emphasized during the handover was, do not sit in the dinette when retracted and do not travel with more than a half tank of fresh water.

When the dinette is retracted, the only support provided is the four little gears holding the outside slide flange tight against the wall. Never mind sitting in it, think of the stresses of that unsupported inside edge constantly bouncing up and down during transit. I started noticing the lower rear edge sliding out about 1/2 inch after driving awhile. We've also caught ourselves at times, sitting down in the dinette during parking lot stay-overs.

So now we carry a couple woodworking hand clamps configured as spreaders to brace the slide inside edge so that we can at least use it while retracted. Next season, we will attempt to use them while traveling. I'll fabricate some plywood squares with a rubber surface to spread the stress and protect the floor.

Hope this helps others with similar issues.

 

[MrJohn-WO]

Great idea!

I have seen this person use Camco Save-A-Steps:

Others use Yoga Blocks and other shims (link from other models):
Blocks for holding up slideout while in. - iRV2 Forums

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

Vroom

When I upgraded to the Vroom slide system the first thing I asked was whether you can sit in the slide when retracted, and was assured I can sit in the slide when retracted
This was the game changer for me!
Bill

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I added wooden blocks with caster wheels to mine:

More details in this post.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

The couch slide comes with similar casters and they dug into the Congoleum floor before the Vroom system was installed. I wish the original system used wider casters to spread the load on the floor
Bill

 

[RonW58]

Caster details

I added wooden blocks with caster wheels to mine:

More details in this post.

Could you provide more details of how you install and type of hardware, would like to do this with the wide rollers. Thanks Ron

 

[Camper1-WO]

I just ran across this thread, and I am wondering if this has been an issue for multiple years on the Micro Minnie's?

I believe what you stated Dewey, but I find it very hard to believe that Winnebago Inc would agree with the dealer when he told you to not sit in the dinette when retracted and to not travel with more than a half tank of fresh water.

For my 2021, 2108 TB, the freshwater tank has nothing to do with the slide. Weird!
Since yours is a 2023 Dewey, I assume this problem existed in previous years. So, has everyone made these slide support mods, OR, do most Micro Minnie owners simply never sit in their slide when retracted?

I do use the storage area under the dinette seats, so maybe I have to stop using this area to store stuff?

Great ideas on the slide support mods!

 

[DEWEY-WO]

Camper1, Sorry for the confusion. I was just stating the two recommendations made by the dealership. No connection to each other.

That said, if you search this site you will find examples of deficiencies in these two areas. As such, I never travel with more than a 25% load of water and never sit in the dinette unsupported.

 

[Camper1-WO]

Thanks for clarifying Dewey!!

Yes, I will do more searching on the Micro Minnie slide issues, but I'm hoping more folks jump in on this thread regarding their slides.

Regarding the water tank on these Micro Minnie's, I have read some of the very unfortunate stories of water tanks falling out all the way, or falling partially out, because of the sub-par construction & supports performed at the Winnebago factory. I took these stories to heart and welded the existing angle iron support onto the frame (because the existing small self-tapping bolts were obviously not sufficient) and also welded a new length of angle iron, about 18" back from the factory angle iron support just to be safe.

So far so good, especially after my last off-road adventure!

Thanks again!

 

[RovingMedics]

reinforcing the fresh water tank is on our list too. did you happen to document the process anywhere?

 

[eatSleepWoof]

reinforcing the fresh water tank is on our list too. did you happen to document the process anywhere?

Here is what I did: https://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/eatsleepwoof-gets-a-winnie.243102/page-9#post-3184755.

 

[RayIN]

According to RVIA standards a water tank support must be able to support a full fresh water tank while traveling.
The RVIA organization adopted the NFPA 1192 RV standards by incorporation. One does not have to join the NFPA to read or download the standards.

 

[rob v-WO]

Thanks for sharing - was that angle iron support that's on the bottom side of the chloroplast supporting the tank done by the factory or was that an add on ? I would think that support together with those around the perimeter of the tank would be plenty to support the tank ?

 

[rob v-WO]

Here is what I did: https://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/eatsleepwoof-gets-a-winnie.243102/page-9#post-3184755.

thanks for sharing - looks good. Was that angle iron supporting the centre of the tank added by the company ? I don't think my unit has that support on it. I'll have to double check the next time I'm at my units storage facility. What model do you have ?

 

[IdahoHunter]

We own a 2023 Micro Minnie 2108DS, and have read many posts related to slide out issues. IMO, many of these issues are a result of hanging so much weight on a fairly light duty slide out mechanism (SchwinTek). Two things the dealer emphasized during the handover was, do not sit in the dinette when retracted and do not travel with more than a half tank of fresh water.

When the dinette is retracted, the only support provided is the four little gears holding the outside slide flange tight against the wall. Never mind sitting in it, think of the stresses of that unsupported inside edge constantly bouncing up and down during transit. I started noticing the lower rear edge sliding out about 1/2 inch after driving awhile. We've also caught ourselves at times, sitting down in the dinette during parking lot stay-overs.

So now we carry a couple woodworking hand clamps configured as spreaders to brace the slide inside edge so that we can at least use it while retracted. Next season, we will attempt to use them while traveling. I'll fabricate some plywood squares with a rubber surface to spread the stress and protect the floor.

Hope this helps others with similar issues.

Thanks for your post. I finally decided to use your solution with one small modification. It looks like you are pushing up on the slide's edge piece, and I found that if I attached a 3"x4" piece of 3/4" plywood in the corner of the underside of the slide's floor, then I can push on the bottom of the floor. The 3/4" thickness on the bottom of the floor is just enough to put the wood clamp's pad on that plywood piece without touching the trim edge around the slide.

Main reason I chose your solution is to avoid having anything permanently attached to the slide once I get to my camping spot. This way I just remove the clamps, and there are not objects sticking down under the slide when we run the slide out.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

The couch slide comes with similar casters and they dug into the Congoleum floor before the Vroom system was installed. I wish the original system used wider casters to spread the load on the floor
Bill

Update, the smallish size casters did dig into the congoleum flooring. A hair dryer gave enough heat to soften the material and decrease the dents. I have yet to find something thin enough to slip under the wheels to spread the weight. Mostly caused by bouncing down the road, not by sitting on it.
Bill

 

[RonW58]

We had the Vroom slide system installed after 2 slide failures and I went one step further after seeing the rollers installed by eatsleepwoof, I used slide rollers mounted on 1x4 oak reinforced with 6”x6” L bracket, I cut pieces of siding I had laying around for the rollers to ride on just in case. I still use yoga blocks when we are on the road and we have a nice tight seal top to bottom on the outside of the camper.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Update, the smallish size casters did dig into the congoleum flooring. A hair dryer gave enough heat to soften the material and decrease the dents. I have yet to find something thin enough to slip under the wheels to spread the weight. Mostly caused by bouncing down the road, not by sitting on it.
Bill

When you measured the vertical height of whatever blocks/casters you used, did you measure with the slide out retracted, or extended? On my trailer there is about a 10mm difference in these measurements, and the whole slide out "tilts down" as it retracts into the trailer. (This actually puts more pressure on the outer horizontal seal at the top of the slide, which is a good thing.)

If you install your blocks/casters/supports such that the wheels contact the floor when the slide out is extended, the slide out will put significant downward pressure on the casters as it retracts inwards. I'd imagine this can lead to digging into the floor.

I've setup my own blocks/casters such that the casters only touch the floor about 6-10" before the whole slide out stops moving (as its being retracted inwards). When my slide out is extended, the casters do not touch the floor. Zero digging in/impressions of any sort. The casters only provide support in transit, when the slide out is retracted/closed.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

The trailer is currently in storage, so I don’t have access to check the casters when the slide is extended.
When retracted the wheels do touch the floor, and I tried some free linoleum shims and was able to push them under the casters, on one side, but did not stay in transit.
They are the WBGO oem casters that came originally, and this is what Zoom used when they built the slide.
I don’t know if I would have had dents if the Zoom was installed, before the WBGO original (slim rack or schwintek)
Bill

 

[RonW58]

When I had the Vroom slide installed, they installed rollers behind the floor panel to help with the sagging. I measured the slide extended and closed and there was about 3/4” of an inch difference. I used the extended measurement to mount my rollers, which left me with about 1/4” adjustment up or down if needed. The vinyl house siding I use slides easily under the roller in the extended position and does not move when running down the road. So far it has worked great.