Correct slide out operation

[NOREASTRV]

Ok I need some advice, I have a 2015 Rockwood 2703WS, I read the manual regarding the slide operation and it states when closing the slides, hold button until the slides stop and then release the button. When I went over the operation with the salesperson on delivery, he said open the slides until the slides start to stop and begin to make a ratchet nose but only briefly one or two clicks and when closing watch until they are almost closed and start to raise up and just as the slide ratchets one or two clicks release the button, service writer states don't let it ratchet, my question is what do you guys do? The wardrobe slide is a different design and you release the button when it stops, no problem, the others not sure the correct procedure, three people have three different answers. The slides I'm speaking of have a long drive shaft.

[gectisme]

I am a newbie to slides also and was told the same thing by the service guy who taught me about my trailer. Slide out until it ratchets once or twice, slide in until it ratchets once or twice. Hopefully that is the correct way to do it..

[strat56]

I open my slides until the ratcheting sound happens and close them that way too. Had the trailer sicne February and no issues. It was expalined to me that the ratcheting sound is a clutch on the slide mechanism that prevents it from being over extended or closed too tightly.

[nomad297]

All three of my slides make the ratchet sound at full extension, but make no such sound at full retraction. My other travel trailer slides were the same. I extend until I hear the noise and I retract until the movement stops with no sound -- I can't force them to make the sound on the way in.

Bruce

[Crusadernoob]

The swintek slide you hold for 3 seconds after full open/close this keeps them synced.

[oldtool2]

Bring it in till you hear the ratchet. That means the slide is in tight against the trailer and has a good seal on the gaskets. Take a walk out and look, both sides should be tight against the trailer.

Also, if you have them, make sure you use the lock bars. This does two things. Keeps the seal on the top of the slide tight and prevents the slide from going out while traveling. Just remember to remove them before extending the slide!


Jim

[5picker]

We picked up our 8529IKBS this weekend and were told the same as mentioned above... 1-2 clicks out, 1-2 clicks in. I used this method during PDI and later when camping this weekend. I inspected both the in and out positions and everything appeared to stop and fit just as it should be.

Time will certainly tell and I could see where holding the switch for many clicks could be harmful to the clutch but I believe the 1-2 click method is correct.

[hotzfamily]

We've had ours since Spring 2009... we were instructed to go for 1-2 clicks in and out. Haven't had any troubles at all.

[DNBINFV]

Originally Posted by oldtool2

Also, if you have them, make sure you use the lock bars. This does two things. Keeps the seal on the top of the slide tight and prevents the slide from going out while traveling. Just remember to remove them before extending the slide!


Jim

I've never heard of lock bars. Can you elaborate?

[MOODMAN]

Can someone explain what causes the ratchet sound? Some of my slides make it, some don't. It sounds as though some kind of gear is stripping...

[5picker]

Originally Posted by MOODMAN

Can someone explain what causes the ratchet sound? Some of my slides make it, some don't. It sounds as though some kind of gear is stripping...

I was told it is a clutch in the slide out motor/gear linear actuator clicking and 1-2 clicks is normal routine.

On my unit, all three slides are built with the same slide out actuators, positioned under the slide out. All three of my slides act/sound the same when coming to a stop in or out.

Some units have slides with more than just one kind of slide actuator which may involve cables and/or gear rails on the slide out side wall. I believe these act differently or may not make a ratcheting noise at all.

[PenJoe]

We also just recently purchased an RV with three slides. The dinette ratchets at the in/out points. The bedroom and closet slides do not ratchet. These have limit switches that are set for in/out positions. It works like your garage door operator. The dealer advised to allow the dinette to ratchet once or twice and to release the button when the other slides reach their max point.

[the old geezer]

Originally Posted by DNBINFV

I've never heard of lock bars. Can you elaborate?

the lock bars are used as a mechanical stay between the slide and the trailer body, placed inside near the top of the slide, and a bit like an acrow prop. I had one on my first trailer but never used one since. I don't think they are needed.
peter

[James Briar]

On a slide there is a motor gear and a driven gear. The driven gear is held in mesh with a spring. When the slide is full in or out or it hits an obstruction it is design to unmesh, or slip gears. That is the ratcheting sound you hear. Once you hear this noise let off the control switch to maximize gear life.

[phillyg]

On those slides that do ratchet, release the button as soon as you hear the sound. I don't know exactly what goes on in the mechanism but I would describe it as a clutch to prevent damage.

[bobm253]

Sounds similar to how a clutch works in a drill/driver. Should not do any damage at all as this is how the clutches are designed to work and prevents over tightening.

[Mtelkman]

Until it ratchets a few clicks. Both in and out.

[rockfordroo]

From Lipperts Schwintek In-Wall Slide-out Owners Manual, found here:

http://lci1.com/assets/content/suppo...-schwintek.pdf


Operation

Extending Slide-out Room
1. Level the unit.
2. Verify the battery is fully charged and hooked up to the electrical system.
3. Remove the transit bars (if so equipped).
4. Press and hold the IN/OUT switch (Fig. 1B) in the OUT position until the room is fully extended and stops moving.

NOTE: It is important to continue to press the slide-out switch for a few seconds after the room is fully extended until the motor shuts off. The control will sense that the room has stopped and will shut off the motor after a few seconds.

5. Release the switch, which will lock the room into position.

Retracting Slide-out Room
1. Verify the battery is fully charged and hooked-up to the electrical system.
2. Press and hold the IN/OUT switch (Fig. 1A) in the IN position until the room is fully retracted and stops moving.

NOTE: It is important to continue to press the slide-out switch for a few seconds after the room is fully retracted until the motor shuts off. The control will sense that the room has stopped and will shut off the motor after a few seconds.

3. Release the switch, which will lock the room into position.
4. Install the transit bars (if so equipped).

No mention of any "ratchet."

Mine doesn't ratchet. When the motor stalls, the current draw increases. When the controller sees the current increase, it shuts it off.

"Ratcheting" may be related to the type of slide you have. Mine has the motors "in the wall." Others have them under the trailer and use cables, etc. That may be the difference.

I would strongly suggest everyone get the owners manual for their brand/model of slide and do what it says.

[NOREASTRV]

I think my wardrobe slide is schwintek, the other two have motors under trailer and ratchet

[Delco Bobby]

Originally Posted by Crusadernoob

The swintek slide you hold for 3 seconds after full open/close this keeps them synced.

On my PDI the tech told us to hold the button for 2 or 3 seconds after extending or retracting. That was on our Sunseeker 2250.