Is it okay to put slides in AFTER hooking up?

[mekkerlc]

I would like to speed up the time it takes us to pack-up and leave for our trips. One part that irks me is that I feel I shouldn't hook the 5'r up to the truck while the slides are out...and then when we are ready to go, put the slides in and pull away.
Essentially, when we get back from a trip, I park it on the driveway, which has slope to it. I level the unit front to back with the landing gear. We will put the slides out before our next trip to pack and clean, etc...
My hesitation is that when I put the 5'r onto the truck, the weight is shifted to the pin box, and the frame of the camper is tweaked slightly. Does this have a negative effect on the slides going in?

Sounds confusing

[asquared]

I have run my slides in and out while hooked up. The key is do not plug into TV until unplugged from pedestal.

[mekkerlc]

Yes I have run my slides in and out while hooked up as well but my question is it okay 2 run slides in after hooking up when the slides were out while being on front legs of camper?

[Ford Idaho]

I prefer to run the slides in and out once the lite has been leveled and the stab jacks on deployed.

When moving out the last thing is the Slide goes in, jacks up, truck hooked legs up, pads and blocks put away.

Make sure all doors are closed and locked, power cord is put away, light check break away cable hooked.

I never rush when moving out because I will likely miss something.

[5picker]

Every manufacturer's recommendations I've ever dealt with says to operate the slides once the unit is properly leveled & stabilized.

Can you do it otherwise... yes.
Should you... ????

[Tfort]

They say not to buy most dealers run them out on the lot no mater how level it is or isn't and move hem around with a fork lift with them out.


2000 F250 CC 4x4 7.3L diesel

15 Salem Hemisphere Lite356QB

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Every manufacturer's recommendations I've ever dealt with says to operate the slides once the unit is properly leveled & stabilized.

Can you do it otherwise... yes.
Should you... ????

I think the preferred method is to unhook, stabilize, and then run the slides out and the reverse when leaving. And this is what I try to do. But there are also times when hooked up that I will run the slides (or 1 of them) in and out while hooked up. And yes I've hooked up while the slides were out as I was getting impatient waiting on the DW, and then brought in the slides. But I don't prefer to do that. I, like yourself, worry about the stress point changes so I try not to do it often.

[Tfort]

My last site I didn't dare hook up before I slid it in. Was way to close.


2000 F250 CC 4x4 7.3L diesel

15 Salem Hemisphere Lite356QB

[bob caldwell]

Originally Posted by Tfort

My last site I didn't dare hook up before I slid it in. Was way to close. Attachment 116386


2000 F250 CC 4x4 7.3L diesel

15 Salem Hemisphere Lite356QB

For that very reason I installed a RF remote controller.....I like to see what it's gonna run into!

[fella10]

Originally Posted by Tfort

My last site I didn't dare hook up before I slid it in. Was way to close.

I use Hitchin Rods for aligning up to hook up the tt, ...... on one of them I have marked two points that I always want to know,....... the height from the ground up that I need to crank my trailer tongue to do the hookup, and the 19" that my slide comes out,.... I can easily grab it as a measuring stick to see if anything is going to be in the way of my slide coming out 19",..... I like to KISS(keep it simple stupid)

Magnetic Hitchin' Rods - Qworks HR01D - Trailer Towing Accessories - Camping World

https://qwks.com/Hitchin-Rods-p-2.html

[dwayneb236]

I put a yard stick in my side compartment and have all my slide measurements marked on it. Comes in VERY handy.

[BusyRetirees]

Before we leave for a trip, our rig is parked in the driveway with the slides out. We clean and pack it up. We then pull in our slides and hook it up to the truck so we can leave the next morning without any delays. Have always done this without any problems with the slides.

On the road, if we are only staying for one night, we do not unhitch but will lower the front landing gear to take some weight off the truck and then put out the slides. In the morning, the slides come in and then the landing gear is pulled up.

[Tfort]

I usually have a tape measure in the truck but couldn't find it this time. Backed in and looked,said ah it will fit and unhooked. Used the remote to slide it out while I watched because I knew it would be close. Didn't think it would be that close. I didn't want it to shift sideways if I was not perfectly straight and hit so I made sure we closed before I attempted it.


2000 F250 CC 4x4 7.3L diesel

15 Salem Hemisphere Lite356QB

[itat]

Best practice is to only operate the slides when the unit is levelled and stabilized. Operating a slide when the unit isn't level may risk putting the slide out of alignment. I don't know if the frame is twisted enough when the 5er is hooked up to affect the operation of the slides butI doubt it. Walmart campers do it regularly. I'm not sure how changing the order will save time though.

[SailorSam20500]

Originally Posted by mekkerlc

I would like to speed up the time it takes us to pack-up and leave for our trips. One part that irks me is that I feel I shouldn't hook the 5'r up to the truck while the slides are out...and then when we are ready to go, put the slides in and pull away.

If what you are asking is - is it ok to hookup while the slides are out? I would be leery about doing that. Any bounce while hooking up could cause a problem. If it were me, I would pull the slides in, hook up, put the slides back out to complete whatever packing/loading you want to do, then pull them back in before driving.

I don't see an issue with having the slides out while stationary.

Be careful about running the refer if you aren't level - just read about a guy who destroyed his because it was run while "off balance", looked like he was up against a $2000+ repair bill.

[Wolverine 1945]

We do not own a 5th Wheel,,, but I never have had a slide out unless our unit,,, MH or TT were level !!!

[head gamez]

When arriving or departing from a site, the slides are in until level and no longer connected to the truck.

When We get home we always wash the whole fiver (roof, sides, etc) before it goes in the garage so I put the slides out while connected to the truck. However, our gravel "pad" is level. After reading this thread though, I might start lowering the front gear to take some weight off the truck.

Interesting reading.


2016 Sandpiper 376BHOK
2500HD Chevrolet

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[B and B]

At US Customs last year we had to blow all three slides out in inspection on a 5 degree tilt. No Choice at all. At home on the road in front of our house not perfect level but they go out. Camping they are level.

[Wolverine 1945]

I do not allow the DW to move slides in or out unless I am watching !!!

[bob caldwell]

Put a RF controller on...I did

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk