Bounce From Slide Outs

[5picker]

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

thats correct and the great thing everyone has an opinion. the OP asked for opinions/ thoughts on the matter aka advice. they can sift through them and flatten the tires to let air out which they believe is causing the bounce.
million dollar industry in creating a product not recommended by some... makes sense not to use them for some as well.

sort of like Bras some work taking the bounce out and offer support for a few but not all.

I'm wondering if you have a link for that! ^^

[doc73]

Originally Posted by 5picker

I'm wondering if you have a link for that! ^^

No its all REAL world data through exhaustive personal investigation...

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[MilCop4523]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

I too have always heard not to put slide out supports under the slides as damage can result .........................



So if the supports were necessary why does a dealer put the slide out when it comes on the lot and not close them until the purchaser takes it home ??????? The trailer may sit there a long time ............. even over a year ???????? Never seen any dealers put them in ............

then again why does the slide out manufacturer recommend pulling them in for storage as seen in my earlier post?

sitting on a lot waiting for mom and pop to purchase is no different than me or you storing it for the off season...

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

then again why does the slide out manufacturer recommend pulling them in for storage as seen in my earlier post?

It's not in their current manual.

I also found a Lippert manual and didn't see anything either way for or against using them.

https://www.lci1.com/assets/content/...de-out-web.pdf

[MilCop4523]

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

It's not in their current manual.

I also found a Lippert manual and didn't see anything either way for or against using them.

https://www.lci1.com/assets/content/...de-out-web.pdf

please consult that link you quoted on the bottom of page 6.
plain as day


"Mechanical Maintenance
Although the system is designed to be almost maintenance free, actuate the room once or twice a month to keep
the seals and internal moving parts lubricated. Check for any visible signs of external damage after and before
movement of the travel trailer.
Note: For long-term storage: It is recommended that the room be closed"

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

please consult that link you quoted on the bottom of page 6.
plain as day


"Mechanical Maintenance
Although the system is designed to be almost maintenance free, actuate the room once or twice a month to keep
the seals and internal moving parts lubricated. Check for any visible signs of external damage after and before
movement of the travel trailer.
Note: For long-term storage: It is recommended that the room be closed"

Closing the slide during long-term storage =/= advocating the use of supports that may damage the slide.

Once again, I have yet to see documented evidence of any manufacturer suggesting the use of slide-out stabilizers.

[timfromma]

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

then again why does the slide out manufacturer recommend pulling them in for storage as seen in my earlier post?

sitting on a lot waiting for mom and pop to purchase is no different than me or you storing it for the off season...

I'm guessing it has more to do with leak prevention.

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[MilCop4523]

This might be an older travel trailer issue - you know when trailers were built a bit sturdier but once again...

"SLIDE OUTS: In extended use situations, it is advisable to
add support blocks under the slide room. Do not raise the
room, but just touch the bottom. Also, during prolonged stays
it is advisable to run the room in and out occasionally to ensure
proper lubrication. "

http://www.dutchmen.com/media/5765/2...ers-manual.pdf

page 21 last paragraph.
it also states
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE JACKS STANDS
OR STABILIZER JACKS TO JACK UP THE
TRAILER OR SUPPORT THE FULL WEIGHT OF
THE TRAILER.

no one here is stating to change a tire on a trailer or lift the trailer off the ground with a stabilizer jack.

And if people are going to use the term stabilizer vs support as an argument... I would think a blocked support would do more damage than the light stabilizers seen today as blocks which carry more weight and would not fold as easily.

If you've NEVER seen a manual that promotes supporting the slide out well they do exist. Support is support.

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

This might be an older travel trailer issue - you know when trailers were built a bit sturdier but once again...

"SLIDE OUTS: In extended use situations, it is advisable to
add support blocks under the slide room. Do not raise the
room, but just touch the bottom. Also, during prolonged stays
it is advisable to run the room in and out occasionally to ensure
proper lubrication. "

http://www.dutchmen.com/media/5765/2...ers-manual.pdf

page 21 last paragraph.
it also states
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE JACKS STANDS
OR STABILIZER JACKS TO JACK UP THE
TRAILER OR SUPPORT THE FULL WEIGHT OF
THE TRAILER.

no one here is stating to change a tire on a trailer or lift the trailer off the ground with a stabilizer jack.

And if people are going to use the term stabilizer vs support as an argument... I would think a blocked support would do more damage than the light stabilizers seen today as blocks which carry more weight and would not fold as easily.

If you've NEVER seen a manual that promotes supporting the slide out well they do exist. Support is support.

You're citing out-dated information that is 10 years old. Their current manual specifically says NOT to use them.

http://www.dutchmen.com/media/5759/2...ers-manual.pdf

Page 63 Section 10:

After-market stabilizer stands must be placed only under chassis frame rails.

Page 105 Section 18:

18. Slide-Outs
The slide-outs are designed to provide additional living space during stationary camping. Before operating the slide-out, level and stabilize the
trailer. If the trailer is not level, the slideout room and/or the mechanism may be damaged. Stabilizer jacks help keep the trailer square so the slideout extends/retracts and seals correctly. Be sure stabilizer jacks are placed on a solid ground surface. Piers or supports are not necessary under the slide-out when extended.

[MilCop4523]

and so they have changed . someone said they never saw the support under the slide out in a manual before... it was there

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

and so they have changed . someone said they never saw the support under the slide out in a manual before... it was there

Ok, so you got me on a technicality. They are still a bad idea though.

I hope the OP got the advice he wanted. I believe this topic has been thoroughly beat to death.

[MilCop4523]

so do I. i'll still use mine for what the they were invented for though. advice is worth exactly whats charged for it. we all take it or leave it and there are hundreds of posts concerning the pros and cons of supporting or not supporting it.

one thing though - letting air out of tires to reduce bounce is a bad choice.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

so do I. i'll still use mine for what the they were invented for though. advice is worth exactly whats charged for it. we all take it or leave it and there are hundreds of posts concerning the pros and cons of supporting or not supporting it.

one thing though - letting air out of tires to reduce bounce is a bad choice.

I believe the OP stated his unit was was on a permanent site and was blocked and leveled at four spots along the frame. He felt there was just a small amount of weight being supported by the tires.

I see no reason under these circumstances the air in the tires couldn't be 'let out' or for that matter, the tires removed completely.

[MilCop4523]

then he shouldn't have any bounce its its totally off the ground.

perhaps removing the tires will eliminate the issue.
will be interesting to see.
but then again if it doesn't then he may need more side frame blocking -
like a full foundation.

[Ecook]

I have 4 block towers on both sides of the trailer. The a stacked and wood shims to reach the frame. I paid a guy to do it and am not sure how much weight is on them at the moment. This is the second trailer he has done it for me. The first one was blocked the same way and we had the trailer for 4 years. When we had it taken off the lot he had to put air in the tires as they where all flat. We never noticed a difference in stability though. I'm assuming there was plenty of supports and as the air went down the trailer may have put more weight in the blocks but was now fully supported on them.

This picture is the side of the trailer with the two slide outs where we feel movement. As you can see there one one by the far left of the super slide on on the far right of the smaller one and one in the middle of both. I feel like this is a lot of support but we still get movement.

I understand that people say slide out supports are dangerous because of possible shifting of the trailer. But with this many supports and a solid ground is this a major concern?

Thanks agin for everyone help. His is our first TT with slides and I just can't figure out what's going on.

[Ecook]

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

then he shouldn't have any bounce its its totally off the ground.

perhaps removing the tires will eliminate the issue.
will be interesting to see.
but then again if it doesn't then he may need more side frame blocking -
like a full foundation.

Do you mean all the way around the slide?

[northstar1960]

bounce in a trailer is caused by springs and tires . no other cause . the more weight you take off the springs and shift to the I-beam the less bounce . take a tt on blocks lifted enough to take tires off ground and no bounce .
IF a person was to jack up with quality jacks in a few good spots and support on the I-beam one could let air out of the tires and set the entire weight of the tt on blocks/jack/ etc you get the point . if you get bounce then you better bail out of the unit as it'll be sliding down a hill lol

[Ecook]

Sounds good. On my next trip down I'm going to let a little bit of air our of the tires so more weight is on the blocks. Hopefully that will do the trick.

[Iwritecode]

Are the blocks in the bottom right corner of that picture under the stabilizers? That could be part of it. Put the blocks directly on the frame right next to them and take the stabilizers out of the equation completely.

[Ecook]

Yea that's how he set it up. I'll move them.