These were included as part of the trailer. They are stabilizer shafts, with a 3 inch flat palte on each end, about 2 feet long that mount between the fascia of the slide out and trailer frame to keep the slide out from extending when travelling.
We have them. Our dealer told us 9 out of ten people don't use them.
We don't want to risk forgetting to remove them.
They are stored in the trailer in case we need a closet rod or something.
Me too. Camper does not go on the highway without them in place.
Not all slide mechanisms need them. Just the ones with the rack and pinion gearing require them to be installed due to the safety mechanism in the pinion.
You can hear the safety mechanism release when you over extend or collapse the slide.
Since the slide tilts outward (from the top), without the slide lock a sharp knock (like a curb strike) can start the slide opening. Once in motion, the weight of the slide could keep it going until fully opened.
In a less severe sideways motion (like a swerve) the slide can cock in the opening causing an out of alignment situation where the slide will leak or bind when opening or closing.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
I have them too, however I have NEVER been able to use them. If I put them on the fascia board, as stated, it just pushes the trim piece off by pulling out the trim nails- not much good there; If I attempt to put them directly on the seal, the angle of the seal prevents any possibility of that. So....they sit at home in my garage collecting dust. That is why a lot of other people don't use them, too. Randy
I asked my dealer while doing the PDI. He didnt suggest them for the reason stated above. Forgetting and the damage they do to the inside. Between them and the slide supports some people use, He said it keeps his service dept busy.
We use ours when traveling. It is an extra device that could prevent damage to the slide. My feeling is that if they were not needed the company would not include them with the trailer. We all know that the RV industry does not waste money on items not needed. If they did not include them with the trailer it would be a $ saving for them. By supplying the stops and you do not use them, if a slide out does come out and causes and accident the liability is no longer on the manufacturer.
__________________
Terry and Janet
2008 3001W Windjammer
2007 Ford F150
When you tighten "snug" the bar in, you are not "holding the slide in;" you are rotating the slide inward and down, pre-loading the clutch in the pinion gear so it does not unlock.
That is what keeps the slide from moving. There is no way (due to mechanical advantage) to turn the motor with the slide. So by preventing the overload device (spring loaded pinion) from moving away from the rack you essentially lock the slide in place.
Again, not saying YOU have to use it (just WHY you should). Many folks here think that because some of us are proponents of using safety devices and following posted limits on our camper and truck that somehow we are "girly men." Maybe they are right, but there it is...
Color me "weight police," "safety glasses police," and "safety bar police."
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
When you tighten "snug" the bar in, you are not "holding the slide in;" you are rotating the slide inward and down, pre-loading the clutch in the pinion gear so it does not unlock.
That is what keeps the slide from moving. There is no way (due to mechanical advantage) to turn the motor with the slide. So by preventing the overload device (spring loaded pinion) from moving away from the rack you essentially lock the slide in place.
Again, not saying YOU have to use it (just WHY you should). Many folks here think that because some of us are proponents of using safety devices and following posted limits on our camper and truck that somehow we are "girly men." Maybe they are right, but there it is...
Color me "weight police," "safety glasses police," and "safety bar police."
Reese dual cam sway control,
Linear Mode
