slide out brace or support

[Triple SS]

I need some opinions on slide out supports, step supports and the like. Am considering if I should invest the money on a double slide support and step support

[MeepMeep]

Originally Posted by Triple SS

I need some opinions on slide out supports, step supports and the like. Am considering if I should invest the money on a double slide support and step support

Some folks swear by them, others say it throws the slide out of wack. I bought some for our first rig and decided they weren't worth the effort and really didn't do anything to stabilize things that we noticed

[Pipeman]

Personally I would never put something under the slide in case the trailer settles. The slides are made to hold considerable weight. As for the steps, I'm going to put something under mine as they give a bit and makes them unsteady for my wife.

[fordsuperdutyE350]

We sit at a campground 14 weeks or more at a time. So when we stop I level everything up then get rolled up on boards for both sides then unhitch and stabilize the frame with 4 to 6 stabilizers of about 5 to 6000 lbs then roll out my slides and then put stabilizers under them. Just enough to support them, not to raise them. If you raise the slide you will cause it not to seal as good and possibly leak. My slides on my Flagstaff V-lite tilt out and down at a angle. That's natural so that water runs off away from the seals on the roof. For as long as we sit in one spot I think it's good to stabilize the slides. I have a super slide 12.6 feet wide and almost 4 foot deep. Some slides do not extend that far out or are that big. But you must remember as you go through and check things to make sure you take them out before operating the slides.


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[BigJohnD]

No problem stabilizing slides, until a tire goes flat or something settles. We've never used them, and never will. I've never seen any manufacturer recommend them. Everybody has there reasons to use, or not to use.

[donanddona]

I don't support the slides. I re-level weekly. And I always brace the steps (simple screw bottle jacks) when I've setup. Also, I use hydraulic bottle jacks under the front axial to take the bounce out (thanks OC!).

[Witch Doctor]

I would say no to the slide supports, for reasons given already, But I do recommend a step support. OC made mine, and it's the best thing to stop movement going up and down the steps, wouldn't be without it now.

[dmdrj5]

I tried slide supports on previous trailers, but did not like them. I found adding more scissor jacks to the frame gave me the stability I was looking for.

Good luck,
Don

[rlocicero]

If you have lippert steps I would be definitely suggest step supports AND replace the crappy rivets they use to hold them together. Nix on the slide supports.

[fordsuperdutyE350]

Remember these travel trailers were not designed to handle being used full time. So there are times when you have to take extra precautions. We plan on having this TT for a few years. I should say the frame is stabilized by heavy duty scissor jacks. We are basically full timers. The reason the factory does not recommend them is people will forget to take them out or misuse them. And as I say if I have a flat tire I have the frame supported. Enough said about this subject....


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[ependydad]

Your owners manually will almost definitely call them out and say they're not recommended.

The only time I would consider them (and I'd still not do it) is if I had the 4-6 jacks under the camper like the ford-guy does.

IMO, there's no need.

[Surfon]

We don't use support, stay in a park 5 Mo, and didn't bring in the slide. I do lube them before we leave for the winter.