Support post for slide out

[Scott n Jo]

I asked in my "Leveling" post, but I think it would be better alone. Does anyone use or suggest the use of stabalizing/support posts under the slide out on my Rockwood HW277? I read that putting a post under slide outs extend their life, negating slide out sag and wobble in the trailer over all. This trailer is it for us, need to make it last forever. I'm thinking, can't hurt. Thank you, Scott

[HONDAMAN174]

I have always thought its a good idea. Unfortunatly, I have run out of storage space to store the extra leveling jack. Just be sure that your stabilizer jacks are set first before you try to support the slide out.

Oh yea, I also recommend replacing the stabilizer jacks with some heavy duty ones. It will probably run about 125-150 but we've done it and it greatly reduces the amount of rocking or movement of our teenage daughter flopping around every 5 minutes.

[ependydad]

Hopefully a manufacturer rep will chime in as each mfr's views differ on this topic. Most of what I have read says that the slide out floors aren't designed for the upward pressure. The trailer will shift around a little as you walk.

[07 ThunderRoad]

All the manufacturers, I have read, do NOT want anything used under the slide out. If the main body of the unit shifts the wrong way, the slide out rack gear or cylinders could be bent out of alignment. The damage to the trailer will be a lot more $ than having the slide adjusted every 10 years. Our 2003 Potomac had the slide out all camping season for 8 years. No problems. This was the rack gear style. Just because some one sells it, does not make it a good idea. The slide out support posts are a throw back to the old hinged tip outs. If the trailer moved, the tip out would just tip in a little. No harm done. Lets camp

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by 07 ThunderRoad

All the manufacturers, I have read, do NOT want anything used under the slide out.

I think I read that Open Range recommends them. ??

[07 ThunderRoad]

Do they have a manual pull out type (no motor)?

[Wiscampsin]

I've seen very few people use them.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by 07 ThunderRoad

Do they have a manual pull out type (no motor)?

Nope- but I read it online, so you know how accurate that can be.

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by ependydad

Nope- but I read it online, so you know how accurate that can be.

I thought everything on the internet had to be true ......


Never used a slide support see a few people use them but very few.......... our last fifth wheel had the sofa & the dinette on one super slide. It was an 06 traded for a 13' Puma Toyhauler last summer. Saw no ill effects from not using one.......

[puff]

Originally Posted by 07 ThunderRoad

All the manufacturers, I have read, do NOT want anything used under the slide out. If the main body of the unit shifts the wrong way, the slide out rack gear or cylinders could be bent out of alignment. The damage to the trailer will be a lot more $ than having the slide adjusted every 10 years. Our 2003 Potomac had the slide out all camping season for 8 years. No problems. This was the rack gear style. Just because some one sells it, does not make it a good idea. The slide out support posts are a throw back to the old hinged tip outs. If the trailer moved, the tip out would just tip in a little. No harm done. Lets camp

I searched this one also and found the same thing...most if not all say no support.

[caper]

Our dealer recommended not using the supports. He said that if the trailer was to settle and the supports did not you would damage the tracks on the slide out. He said that the older trailers needed the extra support but the newer trailers had better slide systems. He also told be not to install a hitch to carry my bikes because it could cause the walls to crack at the corners of the slideout.

[07 ThunderRoad]

If you properly mount a hitch receiver to the frame of the unit, I don't understand how the wall could crack at the slide opening. Our Sanibel has a hitch receiver on it from the factory.
Now if the receiver is the truck bumper add on, and you mounted it to the floor of the unit, I can see the problems from stress on the wood floor. lets camp

[Scott n Jo]

Thanks everyone for the research and input to my question. It shall be carefully considered. Thanks again, Scott

[bikendan]

slide out supports are a thing of the past, when they were called tipouts and were a new feature and had lots of growing pains.
the technology has improved to the point that every manufacturer i've seen, states NOT to use them. they are engineered to not need outside supports.

i would like to see where Open Range is recommending to use them. if they do, they're about the only company that does.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by bikendan

i would like to see where Open Range is recommending to use them. if they do, they're about the only company that does.

Innocence shattered- the Internet was wrong (gasp! choke! gargle!):
"OPEN RANGE RV COMPANY does NOT require or suggest blocking, supports, jacks, etc., to be used under slide outs during extended normal use."

From:
http://www.openrangerv.com/PDFs/2010...OM-DEC2010.pdf

[caper]

[QUOTE]If you properly mount a hitch receiver to the frame of the unit, I don't understand how the wall could crack at the slide opening. Our Sanibel has a hitch receiver on it from the factory.
Now if the receiver is the truck bumper add on, and you mounted it to the floor of the unit, I can see the problems from stress on the wood floor.[QUOTE]

Many trailers have had damaged done by installing a hitch to the frame. The new trailers are light weight and are not engineered to have the extra stress put on the frame. There are many discussions about this on the site.

[jeeplj8]

having owned the same model, let me say, I don't think a slide support is necessary. The slide hardware is very heavy for the size of the small slide you get on these Pups.

And after crawling around under mine quite a bit, I would not weld to the frame for anything.

[Scott n Jo]

Thank you all. The genesis of this question was because when we picked up our trailer there was a steel rod about 18 inches long in it. The dealer did not know what it is for. (My wife hits me with it, I'm horribly abused). I was concerned that it was some type of support rod. I have looked everywhere and can find no place for it. But it does come in handy around camp. (I have a teenage son) Thanks again for the research and care you have taken on my behalf. Scott

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by 07 ThunderRoad

If you properly mount a hitch receiver to the frame of the unit, I don't understand how the wall could crack at the slide opening. Our Sanibel has a hitch receiver on it from the factory.
Now if the receiver is the truck bumper add on, and you mounted it to the floor of the unit, I can see the problems from stress on the wood floor. lets camp

The short answer is increased frame flex in ultra-lite campers. The extra torque from the bike rack can twist the frame and crack the more ridged sandwich wall material.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Scott n Jo

Thank you all. The genesis of this question was because when we picked up our trailer there was a steel rod about 18 inches long in it. The dealer did not know what it is for. (My wife hits me with it, I'm horribly abused). I was concerned that it was some type of support rod. I have looked everywhere and can find no place for it. But it does come in handy around camp. (I have a teenage son) Thanks again for the research and care you have taken on my behalf. Scott

Does the rod look like this?