Seasonal camper.. Leave slides in or out during week?

[yankeeslover]

2014 tracer 2670.. This past summer I was seasonal and when i left camp on sunday i would close my slide and then when i returned on friday i would reopen it.. I did this all summer long.. I may add that i have a slide topper on the slide. All the other campers always question me on why i always shut the slide instead of leaving it open all year long. I am just afraid that if it rains it will sag and ruin the slide topper. What do most here recommend? are there positives or negatives with either? would opening and closing the slide every weekend wear out the cable slide or is opening and closing actually good for the slide? thanks

[Wiscampsin]

We're seasonal and leave our 4 slides out from April 15th to October 15th. I don't think I've ever seen any seasonal camper at our place close them for the week. We don't have slide toppers but you could try a partially inflated beach ball under your slide topper to help the rain drain off.

[dcheatwood]

Was told by fr techs in Goshen, at frog rally last year, if leaving unit sitting for long lengths of time, its good to cycle the slides. Open for a few days then close them. Repeat after a week or 2. Keeps seals flexible.

[another_newfie]

We don't do a traditional seasonal, but we do a winter camping program. We do run our slides in after each trip. If we did move to a traditional seasonal site we would continue to run the slides in each time. It only takes a few seconds and for me it is peace of mind. No science behind it, just a personal preference.

[donanddona]

If you feel the need then I would close them. Just check the slide "wall runners" for wear or cracking as this does happen. It can allow water intrusion to the slide and damage the flooring.

[DKRITTER]

We went to the kids for Christmas, there were many fulltimers there and they had gone home for Christmas. I don't think I saw one TT, FW, or MH with the slides pulled in.

[Platokidd]

We started doing the seasonal camping thing in July. Only a few times did I run my slides in. This was just to make sure everything was ok.(washing ,seals and so on)
Everyone at the cg left their slides open except in the winter when there all closed.

[garbonz]

Less sun and weather exposure to the slide itself and the outer seal, but they are designed for this so it probably doesn't matter.

If it was me, I would probably pull them in, but other than the above observation it is probably ok either way.

[David 01]

We are also seasonal campers April thru October. I use the slide seal conditioner 3 times a year. At first When we open, then midway through, and when we close. I have a topper over the super slide. It is difficult to spary the conditioner on the seal but I found that a floor swifter aids my reach easily. I have used the beach ball only to find it gone after a pretty windy event. I have seen other campers make a topper support out of PVC pipe. I may try that this year. We leave the slide open all season long without any issues.

Is it April 15th yet?

Cleveland RV show next week!

[Steeljag]

Besides water pooling on the slide covers, it's really makes no difference. 30 seconds to open / close, do what your comfortable with!

[biker2]

We had an after market canopy installed over the slide-out so that we could leave it extended during seasonal camping. After one season, no problems. I liked how the awning kept debris and water off the slide-out roof.

[Stovebolt]

Originally Posted by yankeeslover

2014 tracer 2670.. This past summer I was seasonal and when i left camp on sunday i would close my slide and then when i returned on friday i would reopen it.. I did this all summer long.. I may add that i have a slide topper on the slide. All the other campers always question me on why i always shut the slide instead of leaving it open all year long. I am just afraid that if it rains it will sag and ruin the slide topper. What do most here recommend? are there positives or negatives with either? would opening and closing the slide every weekend wear out the cable slide or is opening and closing actually good for the slide? thanks

I leave mine in because one year on my previous trailer, mice got in with the slide out, it was in October when things started to cool down. Since then, I leave them in.

[Witch Doctor]

Me, I would pull the slides in when I left for any period of time. A couple of reasons IMO is that the sun alone will shorten the life of the cover, Second adding a beach ball for draining will just stretch the material more then a little water pooling. Your slide covers should be checked for the correct tension which would help with run off. 3rd reason is the wind itself, which would cause premature wear. Slides are made to come in and go out. Most people who leave them open is because of things that they have to move to bring them in. If your pooling that much water that you have to put a device in under it your spring tension is to loose. If your there, all you have to do is bring it in a foot or so to dump any water off. I have also repositioned my slide down father about a 1/4'" or so to create a steeper angle to aid in the run off. Just enough to clear the top of the slide edge. If you look at the gap you could see how much to lower the roller end. Also closing and opening your slide is good for mech. and the seals.