suggestions to fix Coleman drawer rails

[Campinfools]

We have an '02 Westlake which we've used about 8 times.  Twice now we've had problems with the drawers breaking - the little plastic clips that hold the runners in place bust, so the drawer cannot slide in/out.  We don't store anything in them, so it looks like just the vibration from towing causes the plastic clips on the rails to break.  Our dealer tells us they are just cheap brackets that break constantly, it'll cost about $50 each time to fix it (basically all labor, as the plastic replacement part costs $2.99) and they are unaware of any non-plastic alternative.  

Their best suggestion was that we might find something at Home depot.   Has anyone else had and conquered this problem?  
thanks for any tips.  My current solution is to just remove the drawers and leave big gaping holes that I can look into.

[MtnCamper]

I took out the shelves, used the drawer fronts for drop down door. No more breaking, and stronger. Stores more stuff too.

Or change the brackets youreslf. All you need is a screw driver. if you want the address for someone who has converted to metal slides, let me know, I will put you in touch with them.

[Diplomat]

I used wood to make L shaped brackets to replace those cheap plastic drawer slide supports, no more problems!

[Tim5055]

The solutions/suggestions provided by both MtnCamper and Diplomat will work.  I chose to convert them to shelves.

Converting Drawers to Shelves in a FFT/Coleman Pop Up

Good luck whatever you decide

[tlhdoc]

I guess I have been lucky.  The only drawer I have has not busted and the bottom "drawer" came from the factory as a hinged panel that is really a cupboard (just like Tim's mod).  I like it a lot and keep my can goods there.  They rest on the floor that way.

[Campntime]

Same thing happened with our '01 Bayside. I ordered 2 sets of replacement brackets (1 set for spare) and replaced myself.  Not a real handy place to get at.  We load the top drawer light and put heavier items in bottom drawer.  Found a 2X4 turned edge ways was perfect height to support bottom rails and take weight of plastic brackets.  Camped all summer and so far no problem...still have the spares.

[abbear]

I have had this problem as well.  I simply went to the local hardware store and bought new guides - still plastic but much beefier.  No problems since then.

My opinion - Fleetwood (probably all mfgrs) use the cheapest parts they can find.  Too bad - truly serviceable parts wouldn't cost that much more.  Less, if you consider the warranty costs associated with cheap parts.

[springer02]

Lowe's has much more sturdy replacement plastic pieces. Fleetwood ones lasted six months. We've had the Lowe's version for a year.

Dave

[SkipP]

I gave up on the cheapee slides and just replaced the whole thing with full extension slides. Much more usable and you can get to the back of the drawer without digging. Try the link below to see our fix.

Skip P
Outdoor Photography site: http://www.bellsouthpwp.net/o/u/outdoorphoto/
Camper Mods, Stuff: http://community.webshots.com/user/skipp35

[Campntime]

I like the direction SkipP went on the drawers.  When and if mine fail again, would go for new hardware and dump the cheap stuff.
Thanks for pictures Skip.

[wiininkwe]

We've had the same problem with the drawer rails, and fortunately one broke while visiting relatives in Fla and good old Unk happened to have a metal drawer slide in his junk box and replaced it for us.  But, the issue is, why do they make an outfit that is supposedly to be used in a 'rugged' setting with dollhouse materials?  Not only the drawer fronts, but the cabinet door fronts as well.  Ours have got a panel with some decorative trim.  It turns out the the trim is what the handle is attached to and the panel is just glued in.   After a few times of being opened and closed, the glue lets loose and the door falls apart.   Other parts are simply stapled together with staples so short they look like they came from an office supply store.   And I won't even go into the curtain slides, we all know how cheap and useless they are.   Almost every time we take our camper out, something falls apart.   It's always little stuff, but it's still a hassle having to glue or nail things back together all the time.   I'm also not going to blame it on any one manufacturer.  I believe that they are all made essentially the same, no matter who makes them.    And, the more cheap materials that go into it, the more money they make when the unit is sold.
  I have a theory, some of you may not like it and I'm not trying to belittle anyone's style of camping.     I go to the yearly shows here in this area, and see the campers all set up with the matching accessories, and the table set with cute little dishes and a vase full of flowers on the counter.   I feel that the manufacturers are pitching the product to young newly marrieds who will see this as 'cute' and with the idea that the consumer won't actually be "camping" but just setting up in a private or state park and just sitting around in lounge chairs all day.     I'm betting that they don't understand that we will be giving this camper some hard use.   There must be a way to convince manufacturers that we want our campers to be as functional as they are cute.
T

[madrone]

I have a somewhat different perspective.

We just got back from a 3600-mile road trip.  The six of us lived in our 2000 Bayside for a month, and it held up admirably.  Our two rambunctious boys were all over the pop-up, and they didn't break anything.  There are a couple of problem areas in the pop-up, but by and large it's well-designed for the job it has to do.

Any time you try to make something light, there's a trade-off with strength.  I saw this all the time when I was backpacking.  Aluminum frames bowed, plastic tent poles cracked, thin fabric developed holes.

Sure, there are some problem areas.  The drawer slides are useless for the gaucho drawer (although we've had no problems
with the two smaller drawers forward of the galley).  The water heater door catch is flimsy (but exactly the same all the way up to the high-end diesel pushers).

Sure, manufacturers use the cheapest parts that will do the job.  And sometimes the given part is not up to snuff.  In general, though, I think that RVs (including pop-ups) are marvelously well-designed and a brilliant technological achievement.

[Campinfools]

I think I have to agree with wiininkwe.  Our camper is now back to the dealer for the 4th time in the two seasons we've had it.  For big stuff and little stuff.  And it's just the two of us.  I don't expect perfection, but I do not see why, after spending many thousands of dollars on a new camper, I should be expected to load up on spare parts and have them with me whenever I camp, waiting for the inevitable.  Seems silly.  Anyway, thanks to all for the great ideas to modify this most recent problem of ours.  We are becoming quite the little handy-man and handy-woman with this camper of ours...
(geez, it all seemed so much easier when we just had a tent...  )