MSA Drop Slide install

[Rainman Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman]

Bought a drop slide from MSA a few weeks ago and thought I might do a bit of a run down on how I installed it and a few of the niggles I had along the way. Not being able to include more than four images in a post is a pain, so I'll have to break the post up a bit

I already had an Engel slide which is as tough as nails but access to the fridge is a bit of a pain when situated on top of a set of draws, so hopefully the convenience of the drop slide will ease some of the pain felt forking out $575 for the new slide. It seems supply is still an issue with these things; they sell out as soon as a new shipment arrives.


The Engel slide


A size comparison, the drop slide is slightly larger - and a lot heavier

The Engel slide was more or less permanently mounted in the back but I decided I wanted to be able to remove the drop slide when not in use as the handle will get in the way. The slide comes with a load of 3/16th self tappers for fixing, so I bought some 3/16th tee nuts and bolts and used them instead. I’m not sure how the tee nuts will survive constant use long term, but hopefully they will do the job.

I attached two light aluminium strips on top of the draws to use a guide/template to line up all the holes whenever it comes to reinstalling – I figured it might prove a bit difficult finding all those 3/16th holes in the carpet. The slide simply sits on top of the aluminium and it’s a case of line up the holes and insert and tighten the bolts. So far so good.


Aluminium strips

Once the slide was bolted in place I placed the 40 litre Engel in position and attached the straps that hold it in place. This is where I encountered my biggest problem. The tie down straps loop through the slide base and up to the fridge handles, but with the straps in position I couldn’t lock the slide handle in place as the straps prevented the handle from being pushed all the way back into the locked position. It seems to me the slide handle needs to be longer, or shorter so it clears the fridge handles and tie down straps.


Handle not locking into place

[Rainman Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman]

Drop slide install part 2

I tried all sorts of configurations trying to get the slide handle to clear the fridge handle and straps, all to no avail. I find it difficult to believe that I’m the first one to encounter this problem, but no matter what I did, I couldn’t lock the slide handle into position. Not locking the handle down could ultimately lead it breaking the back window if the corrugations were bad enough.


Its a bit difficult to see, but the straps prevent the handle from being pushed all the way back to locking position

So it was time for a bit of lateral thinking. I found some pine that I cut and placed between the clamp that locks the handle in place and the bracket that holds the clamp. This worked a treat and now the handle can be locked back into place and is clear of the fridge handle and straps. So hopefully that problem is solved.


The pine block solution - may have to invest is something a bit more substantial long term


The slide handle is now clear of the frigde handle and tie down straps


The finished product

[Rainman Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman]

Drop slide install part 3


I also managed to snap a key off in the lock while lifting it in and out.

In summing up, the drop slide works a treat but I’m not sure how long it will last. I think that the old Engel slide will still be working in 20 years time, time will tell with the drop slide. I’m also not convinced that straps are a better solution to the turnbuckles used on the Engel slide. I also think the slots for the tie down straps need to be closer together to avoid having the straps slide around the curved handle of the fridge, thereby losing all tension.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Nice write-up, having just fitted drawers the height of the fridge is a challenge for the wife. I think I'll buy a step instead. I ditched the straps ages ago and bought the ARB fridge tie down thingy which has a metal bracket. This might solve your strap tension and clearance problem.

[sapradogxl Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close sapradogxl]

Great write up Rainman. I am looking to install the MSA dropslide into my 150 ontop of s drawer system, but I also have the added problems of havnig an 80 ltr Waeco.....

The room will be an issue, but I will have to work that out when i get to it. I thin a few tries at setting it up may assist

Dave

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

Nice one Rainman. I have an ARB 60l fridge which is quite a wide fridge and the MSA DS 50 slide is too wide for what I want as I intend to only have a one half width shelf in the rear (approx 530mm). I think the MSA slide is about 6150mm wide! (poo!!!)

Re your issue with the tie downs impeding the closing of the handle, did you speak to MSA re this?

[Rainman Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman]

I think I'll buy a step instead.

Yeah I used to cart around my 6'4" son but he'd always help himself while he was in there so we were always running out of food.

Re your issue with the tie downs impeding the closing of the handle, did you speak to MSA re this?

Not yet, only finished it on the weekend and to be honest I hadnt even thought that far.

[Rainman Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rainman]

Drop Slide install part 4

An update to this earlier post about my drop slide install.

It’s a great piece of kit, but right from the start the power cable became an issue. It must be said that the location of my power outlet is part of the problem, it seemed like a good location at the time, but if I had my time again I’d probably locate it somewhere else.

Anyway, a couple of times the power cable came close to being sliced in half, so after a bit of fiddling I came up with a solution that included looping it over the grab handle on the roof. The problem was, it was a bit complicated and I had to take photos of how I’d done it to remind myself each time I used the fridge.

With the possibility of doing the Canning Stock Route in the offing, I started to re look at how everything was set up in my vehicle and the power cord got a rethink. After a close look I decided to run the cable along the inside of the pivot arm up to where it meets the handle and then part way back down the outside of the pivot arm which means that the cable is well clear of the slide mechanism and it then runs down between the side of the drawers and the internal quarter trim which keeps it out of the way. Hopefully the pics below explain it better.


The problem power outlet


Cable running up the inside of pivot arm, held in place with some cord tabs from Bunnings


A closer view


Cable tucked down side of drawers


Slide extended with cable clear of slide mechanism


View of cable with fridge removed


Cable returning back down outside of pivot arm

I'm not entirely convinced the cord tabs will see the distance, so I've replaced the double sided tape on most of them with tape by 3M, hopefully that will prove a little more robust. I'll probably also add some extra cable ties just in case, particularly if I end up doing the Canning.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Good write up. I was looking at the drop-slide but saw a couple of problems. I have an Engel 40 tied down onto the integral slide on the left side of the Outback drawer system. I wanted a slide for my Engel 60. Because I have the shelf above the fridges as part of my cargo barrier I figured the drop-slide wasn't going to fit. I went with the ARB slide on the right hand side. I just stand on the tow-bar or bumper to get into the fridges.

[Ghost Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ghost]

Looks good mate, I'm just waiting for my msa drop slide to arrive for my arb 78L unit. Will make it a lot easier to use


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[OldGreyFart Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close OldGreyFart]

I have this drop slide with a 47ltr ARB fridge. Had it installed 7 months ago. Works a treat. Only annoying thing is it rattles especially when on gravel roads. I have emailed MSA last week to see whether they have a fix. I have not had an answer as yet.

[Ghost Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ghost]

Will be interesting to see what my new one is like if it rattles I won't be happy not at the price they charge


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[OldGreyFart Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close OldGreyFart]

It will I can assure you.

Will be interesting to see what my new one is like if it rattles I won't be happy not at the price they charge


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[Ghost Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ghost]

It will I can assure you.

Then ARB will be receiving it back quick smart. Seen black widow did do them, but arnt at the moment


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[vxcruiser08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close vxcruiser08]

Great write up. I have a question, does yours rattle like crazy? Missed the posts above, so I can tell you after my 6500k trip I am ready to throw it out the window.