wondering about slide locks

TTforTwo · 11-19-2011, 11:21 AM

We bought a Flagstaff 26RLS this summer, and have used it every month so far, and really enjoy getting away. I was wondering about peoples opinions on using the slide locks. We have traveled between 100 to 300 miles so far, and have always used them. But they are a little work to set into place, bruising up my forearms every time. Are they absolutely necessary? Thanks for your comments. Susan

donn · 11-19-2011, 11:52 AM

Don't have them, never used, and honestly I have never thought about using them. Did your trailer come with them? Who sold them to you? And what was their reasoning for using them?

Hoo Dad · 11-19-2011, 12:04 PM

I have them and I know where they attach. However, I pulled my camper approximately 12,000 miles this year and never used them. So far so good.

TTforTwo · 11-19-2011, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donn

Don't have them, never used, and honestly I have never thought about using them. Did your trailer come with them? Who sold them to you? And what was their reasoning for using them?

They did come with the trailer, and I assume they're for safety. During our walk-thru, the tech showed us how to put them in place (above the slide, so I have to stand on the sofa and dining bench seat and cock my neck sideways so I can see they are in the proper place. Then my arm twists and twists the bar--causing bruises-- until set and tight.) Not that tough, if they serve a necessary purpose.

TTforTwo · 11-19-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTforTwo

We bought a Flagstaff 26RLS this summer, and have used it every month so far, and really enjoy getting away. I was wondering about peoples opinions on using the slide locks. We have traveled between 100 to 300 miles so far, and have always used them. But they are a little work to set into place, bruising up my forearms every time. Are they absolutely necessary? Thanks for your comments. Susan

( we have traveled between 100 and 1300 miles each trip )

fonzie · 11-19-2011, 08:23 PM

I use a small step ladder to install: available at any hardware store.

crocus · 11-19-2011, 08:54 PM

Don't listen to donn, as he doesn't even own a Flagstaff, and get the ladder fonzi suggested. The locks are there for a reason. Maybe not absolutely necessary, but why not use the equipment supplied? I use mine all the time, as the slide can move if they are not in place.

**Herk7769** · 11-19-2011, 09:04 PM

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...rs-8378-2.html

This issue is covered in depth in this (and other) threads.
My vote is "Use them."

TTforTwo · 11-19-2011, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...rs-8378-2.html

This issue is covered in depth in this (and other) threads.
My vote is "Use them."

Thanks for the link. I guess I didn't go back far enough to see this, but it looks like it's a toss-up. I will continue to use them...better to be safe than sorry.

billy bob · 11-19-2011, 09:48 PM

Never heard of them I have a 2003 forest river and have never had any trouble with the slides moving. you could cause some mayor damage if you forgot to remove them and started to open the slide.

dilgerc · 11-20-2011, 01:38 AM

We have a 2012 v-lite by forest river and on the walk thru the dealer said to just put them away somewhere that it's highly unlikely we would ever need them. The slide outs are gear driven and would be rare if they were to move in transport.

Filthy Beast · 11-20-2011, 07:31 AM

We use ours every time, would hate to be that "rare" person who has the slide move while driving. It only takes a few minutes to install with the small step stool.

Triguy · 11-20-2011, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billy bob

Never heard of them I have a 2003 forest river and have never had any trouble with the slides moving. you could cause some mayor damage if you forgot to remove them and started to open the slide.

This issue you brought up happens occasionally and the fix is simple. Just cover the slideout button with a warning whenever you install the lock. I don't use the one that came with my trailer but that's what I would do.

**Herk7769** · 11-20-2011, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dilgerc

We have a 2012 v-lite by forest river and on the walk thru the dealer said to just put them away somewhere that it's highly unlikely we would ever need them. The slide outs are gear driven and would be rare if they were to move in transport.

Did he happen to explain why that was so? If it is "highly unlikely we would ever need them" what good would they be in that situation sitting in the garage?

As to "gear driven," he is correct, but in my Flagstaff the gear pack is nylon "plastic." http://store.lci1.com/shared/StoreFr...unt2=163093209

The replacement set "should mine break" has metal "teeth" (since under side load that is what breaks) but still has a nylon carrier and support. My thinking is that if Lippert gave you a safety rod, they had a darn good reason to do so.

Cracking (or losing) a tooth while the gear "hops" on the rack at full closure or full open, or tooth wear, would most likely not be noticed until driving down the highway and having a side load placed on the camper (like hitting a curb or rapidly negotiating a curve). This would allow a worn or broken gear pack to let the slide start moving outwards. Once in motion, the outward sloping slide would continue until it was fully open in the worst case or partially open in the best case.

The rod LIGHTLY "forces" the slide down onto the gear and compresses the mechanism and prevents the slide from "hopping" off the gear teeth in the first place even with a worn gear set.

Using the safety stick, you would still find out, when opening or closing the slide, that you had a gear pack problem by a "herky jerky" movement in the slide or a "hop" while the slide is in motion.

Many folks today INSIST on not using seat belts. Their logic is that "I have never needed them before so they must not provide any added safety value" just does not wash. You only need a safety belt ONCE; and you better have it ON.

great white · 11-20-2011, 10:41 AM

My 831rlbss came with 'em.

I use 'em.

Easy peasy.

I know where they go (marked on the outer wall), I've got 'em set so they just slip in, and there's some hang down bright orange "REMOVE" tags on them.

Never had an issue with the slides moving out, never had an issue with opening with the locks in.

That's probably as much to do with my job as anything else.

I make a "last chance check" before almost everything....

Vols · 11-20-2011, 01:39 PM

I have the 2012 prime time 3150bhd
I didn't get slide locks nor was I even informed about them. So do I need them?

**Herk7769** · 11-20-2011, 02:01 PM

If your unit did not ship with slide locks, then you most likely have an RV that does not need them. If it did; then you most likely do.

As has been stated about a trillion times on this and other forums; RV manufacturers will not spend one dime more than is needed or required by law to put together their RV. If they give you something it is because there is a need for it. If they don't need to; they won't.

Heavier slides use an all metal gear pack that most likely do not have the tooth failure issue that the nylon ones do; is my guess.

backin15 · 11-20-2011, 04:10 PM

We used to use ours, but the wood that it pushes against began to seperate from the slide. The service manager at the dealership told us to stop using it. He said for our type of slide it is unnecessary. After not using it for a season and a half we have not missed it and have not noticed any movement from the slide on the road.

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