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Chaplain Kent · 11-10-2005, 08:50 PM

I need suggestions for weep hole covers. We have the $9.00 plastic version available from Inland and other sources. We also have the possibility of designing a new weep hole cover and having that made. I do have a party interested in taking on this task if they can make it economically feasible for them. What I need is suggestions as to what it should look like and be made out of. I personally do not like the current weep hole covers. I can break new ones by simply washing the windows and the older ones get very brittle.
How about making them out of metal? Extruded aluminum? Lightweight aluminum so they are flexible?
Give me your suggestions, please.

ALANSD · 11-11-2005, 06:42 AM

seems to me aluminum would be great if it is feasible and affordable. The idea is of course only to prevent insects coming in and give the window track an outlet for drainage. Is there not something available from other brands that would fit and do the job? We might have to check that out. i will do some research also, as I am not happy with the way the newer replacements have held up, they fade, crack and age way too soon.
saw this posted on a general RV forum funny huh;
""If so, I'm not aware of any covers for them. We've owned several rigs over the years (travel trailers, Class C, and Class A), and none of them came with covers on the weep holes. In fact, I've never seen a rig that had covers on the weep holes. "
what rigs has that guy seen?

ALANSD · 11-11-2005, 07:05 AM

what about this idea;

silver buffalo · 11-21-2005, 02:46 PM

Alan,
I would be interested if you come up with something. About half the covers on my 310 are missing/broken/cracked/faded. The picture you have of a possible substitute, is it aluminum?

ALANSD · 11-25-2005, 04:02 PM

not sure what its made out of, did a search and found it, I might order one after I recheck the size.

joewinfield · 11-25-2005, 06:54 PM

Good luck on your search...I will join you since my weep hole covers are gone, gone, gone....Joe

Chaplain Kent · 11-26-2005, 03:23 PM

This is a perplexing problem. I asked for ideas and only got a bunch of PM's from people who also need weep hole covers. What I really need is ideas so I can pass them on and have them made. There is someone who is interested in helping us out but the cost to make a mold for what we have is prohibitive. Let's put our collective minds together and come up with an idea for weep hole covers which can be made cost effectively and be serviceable to us.

ALANSD · 11-26-2005, 04:10 PM

What about using a current model as template and creating one the same dimensions using polymer? Not sure how you go about this, but seems like that material would be good for this app.

SwanMfg · 01-20-2006, 02:57 PM

Alan-

The ones you sent here look like either Nitrile or maybe PFTE.

The ones we're sending you are made from rigid polyurethane. It tends to withstand UV and abuse better than the other materials. You'll have to let me know how these hold-up in comparison to your experience with the others. I've been thinking that these could be reengineered somewhat...they're rather thin. It looks to me like they could be about 50% thicker without affecting performance. I also think the tabs could be thicker, but am unsure about how much space is available to play with.

After reading through some of the forums, though, the solution may be to make these from flexible poly instead. This product comes in a variety of hardnesses & would bend rather than snap if smacked with something. The downside is that flex poly is more expensive/gallon than rigid poly. However, if you get 5-10 times the use out of the part, then the price differential would be well worth it.

Chaplain Kent · 01-21-2006, 07:28 AM

Steve at Vintage Trailer Supply has the weep hole covers in stock now for $6.95 and $5.95 for the small. I have just received my order and they are perfect. They are almost a perfect match for what we had as original equipment and you can not beat the cost.
http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/

SwanMfg · 01-21-2006, 08:36 AM

What do you think about the flexible poly idea? It's pretty tough stuff & can take getting hit with a hammer without breaking. It can be made to look exactly like the original parts, with the only real difference being that they're made from synthetic rubber rather than hard plastic.

I'm trying to fully understand your needs on these in order to make a superior product. I won't use the forum as an advertising media, so I'll leave it to Alan to give you the skinny on the pricing we discussed for these...but I think you'll be pleased.

ALANSD · 01-22-2006, 07:44 AM

I spoke with Steve yesterday and he is sending me samples of the weep hole covers for me to check out. Hopefully his material will be more durable and UV resistant than the past ones I have used. We spoke about his ideas to improve the front window smaller covers, and I am anxious to see how they will fit, slightly thickened from the originals.
I will keep you all posted.

97sx · 05-15-2011, 09:55 PM

Is there an affordable option to these today? I would like to replace them all. Inland has them but the total bill would be over $300 to replace them.

Keyair · 05-16-2011, 10:36 AM

I am working on an Idea for some that will look great, and be long lasting...
Will post something soon..

97sx · 05-16-2011, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keyair

I am working on an Idea for some that will look great, and be long lasting...
Will post something soon..

Awesome! Keep me posted keyair.

Mike Leary · 05-16-2011, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97sx

Awesome! Keep me posted keyair.

Ditto, you may have found another gig! I still have a stash of the long ones, but the shorties are gone.

Keyair · 05-16-2011, 11:46 AM

Design is done, now working on the cost of Tooling, and from that we can see if its even worth doing...
Do trailers have the same or similar?

clancy_boy · 05-16-2011, 12:26 PM

Sullivan RV Online Parts Store: Products

Would these work?

vinfan · 05-16-2011, 12:58 PM

I have the same issue with my moho windows. Some are missing.

elbundi · 05-16-2011, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keyair

Design is done, now working on the cost of Tooling, and from that we can see if its even worth doing...
Do trailers have the same or similar?

count me in for a batch, or two (for a 345) if you go ahead with the tooling for sure.

someone somewhere is having a good ol laugh about the price of the currently available quick fade to crumbly grey weep hole covers!