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
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
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