Extra weight

mstell2 · 12-18-2012, 12:31 PM

I have an bunk room slide that I put up extra items in there when we go camping. I figure I am adding 50 to 75 pounds extra then sliding it in. Is the extra weight a problem, will it cause damage to the slide?

**Herk7769** · 12-18-2012, 01:23 PM

The short answer to this is most likely yes.

The more weight in the slide the harder the slide out mechanism has to work.

With electric motor driven slides, if the slide is too heavy, the motor and drive assembly will struggle to retract and if it is overloaded it might not retract at all. It is also possible to blow fuses and burn up the slide out motor.

With hydraulic actuated slides, you can blow lines and fittings.

Goomph · 12-18-2012, 02:29 PM

I would not operate the slide with any extra weight on it. When we travel we put some stuff on the sofa which sits on a slide, but we remove them all before we operate the slide.

**Herk7769** · 12-18-2012, 03:24 PM

Our primary pantry and "wine cellar" is in one of our slides. It does lug a bit coming in, but I accept the extra wear as the price of carrying my home made wine. I also know by the difference between the closure time empty and loaded how close I am to my self imposed load limit.

When I initially loaded it for our first long trip that slide would not retract and popped a fuse. Lesson learned about loading. It was also the first trip I weighed the camper. I had to go home and unload about 1500 pounds of junk "I might need." Turns out I have been trimming and fine tuning my long distance trip list over the last 4 years. We are pretty happy with our current load out.

Len & Cheri · 12-18-2012, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

I had to go home and unload about 1500 pounds of junk "I might need." Turns out I have been trimming and fine tuning my long distance trip list over the last 4 years. We are pretty happy with our current load out.

You mean you used to carry MORE then you do now

Amazing

**Herk7769** · 12-18-2012, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Len & Cheri

You mean you used to carry MORE then you do now

Amazing

Yea, and getting that table saw and milling machine out of the lower storage area was a PITA.

Len & Cheri · 12-18-2012, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

Yea, and getting that table saw and milling machine out of the lower storage area was a PITA.

rip · 12-18-2012, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

Our primary pantry and "wine cellar" is in one of our slides. It does lug a bit coming in, but I accept the extra wear as the price of carrying my home made wine. I also know by the difference between the closure time empty and loaded how close I am to my self imposed load limit.

OK, Lou, I'm paying attention here on this thread. The WJ 2809W I have on order has two slides... queen bed and king-size dinette. Both have inside and outside storage compartments. They make up quite a bit of my trailer storage (under, behind and above bed, then under and behind the U-shaped king-size dinette seating).

So, I'm in for some trial-and-error on my first trip, sounds like.

**Herk7769** · 12-18-2012, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rip

OK, Lou, I'm paying attention here on this thread. The WJ 2809W I have on order has two slides... queen bed and king-size dinette. Both have inside and outside storage compartments. They make up quite a bit of my trailer storage (under, behind and above bed, then under and behind the U-shaped king-size dinette seating).

So, I'm in for some trial-and-error on my first trip, sounds like.

Yea, it was an epiphany to me, for sure.

MillerTime · 12-19-2012, 11:11 PM

Seems to me that all slides are designed for some extra weight. Just the extent depends on design.
Some people have kitchen slides, and you know how weight adds up quickly in a reefer, and they are designed to carry that weight.
My large slide is designed to carry extra weight as there are 3 different couch options and some quite abit heavier than others, also there is a rather large outside storage area that goes under the dinet.
Now my bunk slide does not have additional storage under the bottom bunk- its hollow, but I'm sure that it is engineered to accept a reasonable load of bedding and toys.
-Obviously if you get carried away like herk did- its not so good. Leave the toolbox and extra tire weights and batteries in the truck or stationary storage.

mstell2 · 12-20-2012, 12:19 AM

Thanks for the advice. Will try some other configurations.

camper1999 · 12-20-2012, 09:52 AM

If you have hydraulic actuated slides, you have less to worry about. I agree with the comment most slides are designed to carry more weight then the slide it self. Most slides have storage cabinets and refrigerators that will be loaded when the slide goes in and out. If you have electric slides and the slide starts hang up it is either time to lube the slide or it is time for a new motor. For 50 lbs of weight I wouldn't worry about it.

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