What do I lubricate on my slide out mechanism?

[Bilcin]

I have a 2015 Puma 32dbks. I have not lubricating my slide-out mechanism since I bought it. What am I supposed to lubricate? Thank you for any help.

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[TitanMike]

I use this:



With my slide out I just spray some of this on the slide "bars" as well as the rack and pinion. It goes on wet but dries to a non-sticky film.

I give it a shot when I retract the slide before any trip and give it a touch-up after three to four uses of the slide. Keeping the rails lightly lubed make it operate smoother and the motor draws less current as it doesn't have to overcome the friction of dry or dirty parts. If the rails look like they are building up a layer of dirt it's a good idea to use some mineral spirits paint thinner in a rag to wipe them clean. Then spray with lube before retracting.

My personal choice is to avoid any sticky lubes as they tend to attract dust either from the air while extended or from the road while traveling. Even though the slide is retracted and the rails are inside tubes, dust has a way of finding it's way in and sticking to any tacky lubes.

PS: It also prevents rust which I notice has started to set in on the parts in the picture.

[cavie]

any dry lube spray will do.

[Bilcin]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

I use this:



With my slide out I just spray some of this on the slide "bars" as well as the rack and pinion. It goes on wet but dries to a non-sticky film.

I give it a shot when I retract the slide before any trip and give it a touch-up after three to four uses of the slide. Keeping the rails lightly lubed make it operate smoother and the motor draws less current as it doesn't have to overcome the friction of dry or dirty parts. If the rails look like they are building up a layer of dirt it's a good idea to use some mineral spirits paint thinner in a rag to wipe them clean. Then spray with lube before retracting.

My personal choice is to avoid any sticky lubes as they tend to attract dust either from the air while extended or from the road while traveling. Even though the slide is retracted and the rails are inside tubes, dust has a way of finding it's way in and sticking to any tacky lubes.

PS: It also prevents rust which I notice has started to set in on the parts in the picture.

Thank you for the reply. In the picture with me pointing, I suspect that this is the slide bar? So, extend the slide and spray the track that the slide bar travels in, gor it. In my pictures, where is the rack and pinion, or did I not take a picture of that?

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[Bilcin]

Originally Posted by cavie

any dry lube spray will do.

Great, thanks

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[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Bilcin

Thank you for the reply. In the picture with me pointing, I suspect that this is the slide bar? So, extend the slide and spray the track that the slide bar travels in, gor it. In my pictures, where is the rack and pinion, or did I not take a picture of that?

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The "Rack and Pinion" is the gear that appears in the pictures and the toothed portion of the slide bar. The "pinion" is the round gear" and the "rack" is the piece it meshes with. It's just like a large gear that's been straightened out so it works inline rather than rotating.

[Bilcin]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

The "Rack and Pinion" is the gear that appears in the pictures and the toothed portion of the slide bar. The "pinion" is the round gear" and the "rack" is the piece it meshes with. It's just like a large gear that's been straightened out so it works inline rather than rotating.

Thanks, so you also put spray lube on the tooth portions and the round gear? Thanks!

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[Teetime]

Originally Posted by cavie

Any dry lube spray will do.

Yes, do not use any kind of regular grease like for wheel bearings or suspension joints. It would collect grit, sand and debris when traveling and cause problems with the gears.

[Bilcin]

Originally Posted by Teetime

Yes, do not use any kind of regular grease like for wheel bearings or suspension joints. It would collect grit, sand and debris when traveling and cause problems with the gears.

Yes, that has been mentioned by a lot of members! Thanks for your input.

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[beerfor2]

Your slide out mechanism looks like mine. According to my owners manual no lube is recommend for for slide. I don’t have the manual with me at the moment but I believe mine is a lippert floor slide rack and pinion.

[Bilcin]

Originally Posted by beerfor2

Your slide out mechanism looks like mine. According to my owners manual no lube is recommend for for slide. I don’t have the manual with me at the moment but I believe mine is a lippert floor slide rack and pinion.

Yes, I believe mine is a Lippert slide. I haven't lubed yet so I will take a look at the manual as well. Thank you.

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[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Bilcin

Yes, I believe mine is a Lippert slide. I haven't lubed yet so I will take a look at the manual as well. Thank you.

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The lube may not be required but a dry spray type lube can go a long way toward preventing rust. The dry film lubes also reduce friction which is a good thing if you want the minimum current draw and smooth operation when extending or retracting.

Definitely don't use oils or grease no matter how tempting. Eventually you'll have a miserable job of cleaning all the dirt laden grease off just to make the slide work without blowing fuses.

The Camco spray I use, when dry, can be touched and there is no sign of oiliness. Just a smooth, dry surface. The rust preventive characteristics are great for those who camp near the ocean.

[glen1971]

I also use that same spray on the pivot points on the steps and for the ball on the hitch before we go.. No complaints and it definitely doesn't attract dust..

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by glen1971

I also use that same spray on the pivot points on the steps and for the ball on the hitch before we go.. No complaints and it definitely doesn't attract dust..

The spray lube may not be enough for a trailer ball. I still use grease on the ball (a dab of wheel bearing grease) as it provides the extreme pressure lube that's more appropriate for the ball/coupler.

Most balls won't show all that much wear but the same can't be said for the inside of the coupler.

I just figure that as hard as it is to replace the trailer mounted coupler I can afford some time to wipe the grease off the trailer ball from time to time and just keep it covered with a split tennis ball the rest of the time.

[Witch Doctor]

Lippert may recommend that, but I don't know of anyone who doesn't spray it with a dry lube, you will be surprised how much better it works. Rust is bad IMO. No grease and no wd40, DRY lube only. I would bet you that 99.5% of people use it.

Originally Posted by Bilcin

Yes, I believe mine is a Lippert slide. I haven't lubed yet so I will take a look at the manual as well. Thank you.

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[itat]

I use Protect-All Slideout Dry Lube

https://www.amazon.com/Protect-All-S.../dp/B00KPR5VXY

[valleyduo]

I also have the rack and pinion slides. We use WD40 dry lube on them. That was what our walk through guy recommended. He wasn't a salesman, just a guy that likes camping from the service department. To his credit, it does seem to make the slides run smoother.

[Tapex]

Originally Posted by itat

I use Protect-All Slideout Dry Lube

https://www.amazon.com/Protect-All-S.../dp/B00KPR5VXY

X2....itat