Slide Locks on a 8313

[Dean And Monica]

We just purchased a 8313 and was wondering how many people use there slide locks and if so how do you install them? We had a 23ss Roo and those were easy to install.

Thanks

[milzat]

Never used them, on any of my trailers.
There would have to be a major problem with the slide-room mechanism for it to move out while traveling. Even if it did move, you would notice it in the side view mirror.

[Hokiehall]

What Mike said.

I have never used mine either. In fact, my dealer advised me not to used them as there is no need for them. He had a number of his customers coming in to have the cabinet facing replaced because they forgot to remove the lock when opening the slide and the facing was ripped off. (Even though there is a warning tag on it). They are probably included to keep the lawyers at bay if anything did happen. (Highly unlikely).

You would notice in the rear view mirror if your slide is opening up and could take appropriate action.

[J_W_Booher]

I use mine every trip... I'm sorry if you cant remember to take them off when you start setting up camp, maybe you need something without slides. The bright orange take looking you in the face when you open the door tells you something. But anyways... I use mine to (in my mind) help take a load and stress off of the slide motor and gears. Encase you havent noticed these trailers arent built with the greatest quality. If you have to wait to see your slide coming out going down the road, you probable have already done alot of damage. I usually dont agree with my wife, but in the case, better safe than sorry.

[Killman]

We haven't used ours either. As a matter of fact, when we did our walk-thru the service technician said that he usually pulls them out of the camper before the owner gets there and doesn't mention them to the owners. In his 15 year of working in the camper industry he said he has never seen a slide failure caused by the locks not being in place during travel. He did say that he has seen many people come in claiming that the molding at the top of the slide 'fell' off during travel when it actually was the lock not being removed before extending the slide. Warranty doesn't pay for stupid!

What it comes down to is personal preference and how comfortable you feel with them in or out during travel. Just make sure you have on your setup checklist the removal of the locks if you decide you want to use them.

[grandpaofthree]

I have never used them on my 8313. No particular reason. The tech who walked me through the unit at purchase time recommended them for longer trips, but so far we have not taken any. The unit is 2 years old and so far I haven't noticed any negative impact from not using them.

[SaskCampers]

We were told to keep ours stored in a safe place at home and leave them there. Our old 2009 Edgewater never even had locks so I am not in the least worried about not using them.

[ilovecamping]

We used ours in the Kodiak HTT and kept a note over the slide switch to remove them. We do not have any with our Puma TT. I believe they come with the Shamrock 23ss we have ordered, and we plan to use them.

[sailingsuppo46]

During my PDI, the tech told me the something that most everyone is saying here. in fact, there was a page in my paperwork on alternate uses for your slide locks, such as laundry hanger, towel rack, etc... I found that pretty funny. Makes me wonder way they even put them in the TT. I think it boils down to comfort level and where you are towing the TT. I will see if I change my mind after a few trips. Cheers,