Manually retracting slides

[buddyu]

Today we looked everywhere on my 2011 GT 378 TS to see where I can manually retract the slides but came up blank. We were having a difficult time retracting the front slides (the bed slide came in VERY slowly). Of course the standard GT manual was of no help because it did not say were it was located - just how to do it. Luckily, we finally got the slides to retract.

[copsuno]

Buddy, based on what you said, it appears not enough current is your problem, you need to be plugged into shore power or gen running to operate slides, if your batteries are weak the slides would be slow or not moving. Did you have power?

[buddyu]

We were running on the generator. When I did put down and retracted the jacks it flashed "low voltage" on the jack control panel. While the slides were out and the jacks down, we could not see any fluid in the resivor. When they finally did retract, a small amount could be seen.

[ef2080]

Not sure about slides but I just bought my Georgetown XL two weeks ago and they told me the hydraulic jacks are powered by the engine battery and make sure the engine was running when leveling or retracting. Maybe I was told wrong but when I used without the engine running it flashed low voltage. And that was with the generator running. Start the engine and the low voltage lamp went off.

[Jim Sullivan]

I started a reply post but it disappeared, so let's try again...

From what I know, the earlier posts were accurate, but may not answer your original question, manual retraction of sideouts.

I would suggest going online and downloading a document from Lippert entitled "Lippert Components Inc. Electronic / Hydraulic Leveling and Slideout System Operation and Service Manual"
It gives details of the systems used by Forest River, including manual operations. You should find your systems and how to retract even if you have a total power failure.

There are some differences in given models, so I can't say specifically how your might work.

Hope that helps.

[buddyu]

Thanks Jim. I will check it out.

[petey]

Originally Posted by buddyu

Thanks Jim. I will check it out.

howdy I have a 2012 378ts.when I get ready to leave a camp, I start engine and turn on control panel and hit all retract, then shut motor off and pull key. Start generator and bring all slides in, this will always work in this order, if you want to check oil level in hyd. tank its when all jacks and slides are in, it should be one inch from top of tank.

[buddyu]

Petey. If the MH is not level should you bring in (or out) the slides?

[ohiobill]

I follow the same procedure as Petey with our 378, except I retract slides while still hooked to power source, then start engine and retract jacks. Has worked well so far.

[gartonhl]

These manuals may help.

[buddyu]

Thanks Pete. You are correct - they will help.

[petey]

Originally Posted by buddyu

Petey. If the MH is not level should you bring in (or out) the slides?

howdy: if you are on un level ground I would bring slides in first, then jacks. But remember motor running for jacks. And then generator for all slides. We do a lot of dry camping so when I find a spot I like it pretty level from the word go. This makes it a lot easier. Hope this helps. There is a lot of good info on this sight. Pete

[copsuno]

You should be as level as possible anytime operating the slides. They, like the fridge can be a little off but needs as much level as you can get to operate smoothly. I always use either shore power or gen, bring in slides and then retract all on jacks. Just my way but my unit is 2011 and has 25,000 on her and still going strong.

[buddyu]

Originally Posted by copsuno

You should be as level as possible anytime operating the slides. They, like the fridge can be a little off but needs as much level as you can get to operate smoothly. I always use either shore power or gen, bring in slides and then retract all on jacks. Just my way but my unit is 2011 and has 25,000 on her and still going strong.

That is usually the procedure I follow. Don't get me started on the fridge. I can hardly wait for our next trip to FL and have to toss another $100 worth of food due to extreme temp swings in the fridge.

[petey]

howdy: on your refer remember to use inside thermometer for accurate reading. the digital one on upper right outside is junk. you can buy these at camping world for about 5 bucks, they work. Pete

[buddyu]

Originally Posted by petey

howdy: on your refer remember to use inside thermometer for accurate reading. the digital one on upper right outside is junk. you can buy these at camping world for about 5 bucks, they work. Pete

I agree about the digital. However the food was barely cool so we did not want to chance it. Our next step will be to install a fan on the inside.

[petey]

the refer is a case: I have found always put stuff inside cold if you put in beer pop or what ever the refer works over time if its warm, just a little tip. Pete Gresham oregon