keepitlow Posted June 28, 2018 Report Share Posted June 28, 2018 The other day at the RV park I overheard someone that could not check out because their slide out was stuck. They were looking for a RV repairman to come to camp nd fix it so they could take off. Are slide outs prone to sticking in or out or is this rare? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LFDR3116 Posted June 28, 2018 Report Share Posted June 28, 2018 We have been on the road full-time in our 8th year and have not had a problem. We assume that at some point there will be a part worn out, a motor that dies , something that will require repair just like any other mechanical or electrical device. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2gypsies Posted June 28, 2018 Report Share Posted June 28, 2018 Never had a problem in 16 years - 2 different RVs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted June 28, 2018 Report Share Posted June 28, 2018 Have had numerous RVs with slide outs and never a problem. Depending on the type of slide out some need minimal maintenance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mptjelgin Posted June 28, 2018 Report Share Posted June 28, 2018 We've had two trailers with slideouts over a period of 16 years (8+ full time) and have had a single issue with an electric slide that was "dragging" in very cold weather. We resolved that with a little pushing and pulling to get it realigned, and some lubrication that we should have been doing all along. Otherwise no issues. That being said they introduce some mechanicals and some seals that add a bit of complexity to an RV. However, the livability they provide is a benefit that we wouldn't be without. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Greg Posted June 28, 2018 Report Share Posted June 28, 2018 They can be a problem but are well worth the extra room. In 11+ years full time we have had 2 bolts break in the Lippert electric bed slide. If it's in just push the side out that doesn't want to move so you can access under the bed and replace the bolt. Takes less than half an hour. The Lippert electric closet slide has one gear on the motor's shaft that needs the set screws tightened every few years, very accessible in the basement. The two hydraulic slides have never failed but I suspect could be a bigger problem if they did. Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobsallyh Posted June 28, 2018 Report Share Posted June 28, 2018 (edited) If you have a problem with a slide or jacks, you can bet it will be when you are leaving a site. Not when you run them out or the jacks down upon arriving. Just my watching situations over the years. Maybe I should have applied for a government grant for a study. Fortunately, we never have had a slide problem in 14 years on this trailer. But I'm much happier to hear them going in than out! Did have a problem with a jack 3 weeks ago, for the first time. But shot the trouble on it and it was a bad switch. Happy Camper! Edited June 28, 2018 by bobsallyh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted June 28, 2018 Report Share Posted June 28, 2018 Slides have been around for more than 20 years now and seem to have the issues pretty well resolved. At one time they were a fairly common problem according to RV repair friends but not that much today. They are one of the more common leak issues even today but part of that is because some of them are now nearly 20 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 Our Teton is a 2003. Not a slide problem. Our Drv never a slide problem. Been full timing since 2009. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitty77_7 Posted June 29, 2018 Report Share Posted June 29, 2018 Many coaches have manual closing methods for closing the slides. Reading your coach manual will outline the steps required (If available:)!. The only time we've been delayed from checking out, was caused by rookie mistake on our part. Breckenridge's Tigers Run, the DW and I took a late evening walk with the dog. And noted many people had pulled in their slides, and disconnected their water hoses. We were pretty smug, as we'd been wrapping our water hose in foam pipe insulation. (Maybe our third or fourth time to do so.) Woke up in the AM, the day we were to check out, to a beautiful coating of about 6" of snow. (Being Southern California most of our lives, we find snow intriguing:)!) Out for some pictures, and another walk with the dog. Back for a second cup of coffee, all nice and toasty inside the coach. So cold outside, the coach had several icicles hanging from many areas - another 'first' for us... About an hour before we were to leave, I dumped and unhooked the water hose - no real problems, a bit stiff is all. Disconnected the 50Amp, and wrestled that ice cold/stiff snake back in. Got the toad ready to hook up when we pulled out. Back inside to the coach, and started up the engine. (We'd been preheating the block since around 2:00AM.) Went to bring in the slides, and slowly the front slide started to come in. But, sort of stopped, and got a bit out of alignment too. Strange sounding noise too. So, put the slide back out all the way, and went out to see if perhaps a branched fallen that I had not seen. Nope, but gee, the slide topper had what looked to be about 4" of snow on it! Out came the ladder, got out a broom, and thought I'd knock off that snow. NOPE! Turns out it was more ice, then snow... To speed up my 'slide issue impacting our departure'. Ended up trying to break up the ice with a hammer (Did not enjoy walking on the roof top!), that got some of the ice off. Went ahead and got the extension cord out, and used the DW's Hair Dryer to finish melting off the ice from the Slide Topper... Park was real cool about it, and said to please let them know when we were going to be able to leave. No extra charge, and even asked if I needed to borrow a bigger ladder. About 3 hours late, and we sure learned a good lesson. (We bring out slides 'IN!', when snow or ice rain is forecasted!!!) Oh yeah - our slides have worked pretty dang good over the years, knocking on wood!! Best to all, Smitty (And know you seasoned veterans of colder weather, knew all of what we had to learn from the school of hard knocks - but you know, we'll never forget that lesson:)!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big5er Posted July 1, 2018 Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 (edited) I had a gear strip on a hydraulic slide once which caused the end of the slide with the hydraulic ram to come in but the other end wouldn't move. I used a ratchet strap to pull that side in as someone else bumped the switch. Took me about 30 minutes to get it in but it worked. Like with anything else, sometimes poo just happens. Edited July 1, 2018 by Big5er Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemsteadc Posted July 1, 2018 Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 (edited) I have a recurring problem with one of my 3 slides when retracting. There's a thermal breaker switch which overheats and opens if the slide motor is working too hard. That happens when the slide is starting its travel and has to lift up slightly. That can give you a bit of a scare, but the simple solution is to stop and wait a few seconds and try again. Been that way for years. Edited July 1, 2018 by hemsteadc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted July 1, 2018 Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 (edited) If it is Schwintek system make sure both motors are working. Also again if Schwintek, have you lubed them on a regular basis? Edited July 1, 2018 by SWharton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richfaa Posted July 1, 2018 Report Share Posted July 1, 2018 Never a slide problem since 2006 with two 5th wheels both with 4 sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BandJCarm Posted July 2, 2018 Report Share Posted July 2, 2018 Have had nothing but trouble with them. Headed back to factory this Friday to fix another one. Spent 6 days last August getting problem resolved. Took replacement of 6 hydraulic components to fix it. Stayed fixed a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keepitlow Posted July 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2018 (edited) Interesting story Smitty! The RV that had the stuck open slide out was in hot summer, so snow / ice was not an issue. They were not as nice in NJ. They moved the stuck RV to the dirt parking lot and charged them $75 a day to park there until they could fix it.j. ...of course, this is not rural NJ, this is NYC / NJ. Edited July 2, 2018 by keepitlow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keepitlow Posted July 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2018 I didn't' know they have a manual procedure for closing a stuck slide. I was thinking about a mid size Class C with a slide, but didn't want to get one if it is going to be a hassle. On the whole, they sound pretty reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted July 2, 2018 Report Share Posted July 2, 2018 6 hours ago, keepitlow said: I didn't' know they have a manual procedure for closing a stuck slide. Not all of them do, so if that is important to you check before you buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted July 2, 2018 Report Share Posted July 2, 2018 Smitty, When we know cold weather is coming we bring in the hose and do all the dumping etc. the day before. Bring in the slides that we can. We also have an incandescent light bulb that we put in the wet bay so nothing freezes. Enjoy school.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sushidog Posted July 3, 2018 Report Share Posted July 3, 2018 I just replaced the slide control board on my 1999 National Tropical. There was a design problem with these old boards where the circuit breaker protecting the board wouldn't trip fast enough if the slide motor drew too many amps (like if your batteries are run down or your slide binds on something) damaging a relay. The solution is a new upgraded board (since power gear no longer makes the old ones) with bigger relays and a glass fuse in addition to the circuit breaker. But this is a rare occurrence (once in 19 yrs yrs for me) and shouldn't happen again now that I have the upgraded circuit board. The original slide motor is still going strong! Besides, in an emergency I can manually extend or retract the slide on my unit with a wrench, if needed, to get me on my way. BTW mine is not hydraulic, but an old, reliable rack and pinion electric model. Chip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly2low Posted July 5, 2018 Report Share Posted July 5, 2018 No problems with our slides either. I did have the seals replaced this past winter. Coach is 11 years old. Done as a preventive maintenance item. Seals can't last forever Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddie1261 Posted July 5, 2018 Report Share Posted July 5, 2018 8 hours ago, fly2low said: Seals can't last forever Not at the rate they are being clubbed and killed for their skins..... 🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch_12078 Posted July 6, 2018 Report Share Posted July 6, 2018 Our single 14' slide has been in service for 17 years now, and according to the detailed maintenance records that come with the coach, the only part that had failed before we bought it was an auto reset breaker. The PO even noted that he was able to retract the slide by bypassing the breaker temporarily. Since we bought it, the only part I've replaced was the rocker switch, a $12 part. The only time I've manually retracted it using the supplied crank was as a test to see how difficult it was. It doesn't take a lot of strength, but it is slow going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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