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timkim · 10-10-2008, 08:28 AM

Hi All,
The slide out gaucho/bed was not functional when we got our 72 Tradewind. Now we want to set it up and we are missing most of the nylon guides that attach to the aluminum pieces and hold it together when it slides out. I haven't been able to find a source for those parts and so am now considering making them myself. The problem is I don't have a complete set to use as a pattern. The manual says they are a 3 piece set, and I'm not even sure what a complete set looks like, or exactly how they function.

Does anyone know odf a source, or have these pieces that they would like to sell, or, does anyone have a good photo of them so I can copy and use as a pattern?

Thanks for any help!

purman · 10-10-2008, 09:00 AM

You can get wood slides here for your bed.Vintage Trailer Supply - Vintage travel trailer parts and supplies!

You could also try places like pro.woodworker.com for stuff..

COArgosy78 · 10-10-2008, 10:24 AM

Tim - we have the same problem. All of the 3 sided plastic support pieces were gone on our gaucho and 1 of the plastic end pieces (they actually help keep the metal slides in the track & stop the metal slide from coming out of the rail) was gone & now others have broken. I have been in contact w/a local gentleman who might be able to fabricate plastic parts using what pieces I have left, but I think in the long run, it will be cheaper to use the wooden slide guides from Vintage Trailer Supply as shown in the link that Purman supplied here. PS our frame is also metal, but looks like wood slides can be attached. Just my 2 cents.

timkim · 10-10-2008, 11:14 AM

Thanks Leigh and Purman. I have seen the slides at Vintage and elsewhere, but I really like the idea of using the aluminum slides that I have rather than purchasing new wooden ones. Ideally I would like to get some of the original nylon guides, either new or in good shape. But I am also pretty sure I could make some guides out of a good hardwood like oak; I just need to know what they look like.
Anybody else who could provide what I need?

COArgosy78 · 10-10-2008, 11:27 AM

Way back I asked questions about this - and got a picture of the 3 sided guides & a pretty good pic of the end pieces. I will try to see if I can refind the post & put it here for u.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f38/...ries-6435.html

purman · 10-10-2008, 12:45 PM

Looking at those aluminum ones I think the wood ones would be stronger in the long run and a lot easier to rebuild you gaucho than to fabricate new stuff... But if you got the time and like to do that kind of stuff, go for it...

Just my 2 cents..

timkim · 10-10-2008, 01:54 PM

O.K., it looks like I may be able to do something with the help of those pictures--thank you Leigh, that's just what I was looking for! I am going to try to make something similar out of wood. I have 3 of those 'c' pieces but no end stops. I'll repost here with whatever the results are. We need to do something with the bed, it is the next step.

Jason, I wouldn't mind using those wooden slides, and it is still possible that I could, but being frugal, the cost would be around $100, and having those other parts already makes it necessary for me to at least try to use them and the challenge to be creative really gets me going. I think it may be easier to do than it seems. We will see.

Again, thank you both for helping me out. I'll post when I do something.

BTW Leigh, what did you do with yours?

COArgosy78 · 10-10-2008, 02:23 PM

the "c" pieces were missing when we purchased the trailer. The end pieces have slowly deteriorated & broke off when gaucho was extended to bed. I saved the best broken end piece & as mentioned earlier, am thinking of taking it to local man who thought he might be able to refabricate if he had a pattern. We will see.....

Tom Nugler · 10-10-2008, 03:11 PM

Regarding wood slides. When I rebuilt the side gaucho in the GT I copied what was left of the original and used wood slides. Additionally I increased the number to 4, 3 section slides. It seemed to me that 200 plus pounds of aging campers and bedding hanging off the side of the frame was a bit much for just the 3 skinny originals.

That being said, sometimes the bed is quite difficult to pull out. Same thing for the smaller original front gaucho as well.
If I were going to do it over I would suck it up, spend the bucks and put in heavy-duty ball bearing units. I’ve used these in kitchen cabinetry and have been very pleased with the results on heavy pot drawers.
The local woodworking stores will have a couple of catalogs and should be able to find something to fit your application.

Tom.

COArgosy78 · 10-10-2008, 03:27 PM

Tom - are those more heave duty than the ones pictures in the Vintage Trailer Supply site?

Tim - I can see where u might be able to fabricate the "c" channels from wood, but not sure about the end caps? If u do manage, I wonder if I might keep in touch & see about a deal to purchase some? Just wonder how they will hold up sliding back & forth on the metal?

**azflycaster** · 10-10-2008, 03:32 PM

I took a couple of pictures of mine, hope they help. One is looking down and two is from the back side.

timkim · 10-10-2008, 03:38 PM

Thanks Richard, those are good pictures of the end piece, and I needed to see a close up of it.

COArgosy78 · 10-10-2008, 03:50 PM

That's a very good pic of end cap. I might mention that they have edges to hold them inside the channel & also, I think a rivet or something (ours were sheered off, so hard to tell what it was). Tim, any thoughts on a purchase deal (I also like the idea of keeping things close to original & not too expensive!) Thanks.

**azflycaster** · 10-10-2008, 05:20 PM

Keep you eye out for people who are converting to a dinette or replacing the unit with recliners or a futon. Sometimes you get lucky and can find the parts you need that way.