[Richard]

           

So………….As Newell added more decoration to the ceiling the sagging issue increased.

Your diagnosis is correct. You can try adding a few pounds to the pressure regulator on the slide seal, but that probably will not correct.

Here was my solution. I first went down the path of adding more meat and angle to the existing tab before I figured out there was a better fix. This will make more sense if looking at the sketches.

First thing to understand is the “hook” slides into a cutout in the channel structure of the slide opening. Because the hook is tapered it moves upward as the hook pushes into the slide out. Because the channel is only so deep, the length of the hook cannot exceed the depth of the channel.

My fix was to fabricate an insert of 1/4 plate steel that fit into the channel. The insert has an opposing ramp to double the lift range as the hook slides up the ramp. Seems easy enough. But given the force on the insert, I feared it would slide out as the room retracted, even if epoxied in place. It could be tack welded, but I did not my MIG unit with me on the road to safely do this.

The approach I used was to make the insert in two pieces. Look carefully at the top view of the insert. The upper and lower ears are the width of the inside of the channel. The ramp section extends to the leading edge of the original opening cut into the channel. If fitted carefully, place one of the insert halves into the channel and force against the bottom of the channel. Then put the second halve into the opening and force downward. If fabricated correctly the two halves will fit snugly into the existing opening in the channel and lock into place.