Extruded Plastic Slide-Out Water Management System

By definition, sealants on RV slide-outs are designed to prevent water, air, and contaminants from entering the interior of the vehicle. This was the goal when Clark Rubber & Plastics was asked by a customer to design a hinged locking bulb slide out seal system to provide a primary seal and water management for every style RV slide-out that they build. Basically, the product collects any water that gets past the primary seal and directs it out of the RV.

Working with rigid thermoplastic to avoid streaking, Clark enlisted their design and engineering product development skills and plastic extrusion expertise to deliver a unique hinge system. Featuring one-piece installation, the locking bulb is attached to the channel, eliminating labor to slide it on the track and preventing bulb fall off.

Screw mounted, the seal locks close to hide screws and provide a secure screw mount. With Clark’s slide-out system, wall channel caps slide out of the wall opening with a complete wall channel, bulb seal, and wipers, all in a one-piece system. And elimination of the aluminum cap for the slide out opening reduces costs.

The channel leg includes a tape adhesive barrier to prevent moisture and dust intrusion. The self-cleaning duo-wiper provides a “sweeping” action when the slide out is open, wiping away residual water and debris.

With the new patented bottom gutter drainage system, the bottom seal design incorporates a gutter track channel behind the wall cap to effectively drain water out of the RV. The custom designed molded corner bottom end pans create a “drain” for water to exit the unit from the wall sides and bottom.

Available in black or white, Clark’s system has an adjustable design for a perfect fit and easy installation to reduce or eliminate warranty issues. Able to fit a wide variety of slide-outs, Clark’s unique system empowers OEMs to reduce inventory and SKUs for even further savings. Manufactured working from CAD drawings, finished systems are then subjected to dimensional and visual inspections as well as functionality tests.

This is only one example of the plastic design, engineering, and fabrication skills possessed by Clark Rubber & Plastics. Contact us to learn more.