Slides in or out?

[Puma Dan]

I just purchased a new TT with 2 slides on it. This is my first camper with slides and don't know much about them. My question is since I leave it at a campground through out most of the summer and camp every weekend should I leave the slides out over the week or put them in/out every weekend? I am not sure if it would hurt them or not? Also of I leave them out should I get the slide jacks to go under them? Thanks Danny.

[Brother Les]

IF you are gone for several days, put them in.

[Bilcin]

I would put them in. I also considered the slide out jacks, but after talking to 2 different dealers, the slide out jacks are a bad Idea, was told that they put a lot of stress on the slide carriage and damage the mechanism. Other people might feel differently. BTW congratulations on your upgrade!

[Platokidd]

We have a seasonal site and no one at the cg closes their slides.

[raspivey]

If it was parked most of the time at the house like mine is...slides in. My reasoning on this is that there is less exposed to the elements when retracted. Since you'll be in yours quite a bit, I'd go ahead and leave them out BUT, I'd lube everything up and condition the seals every two months or so just to be safe.

[Wiscampsin]

We on a seasonal site and our slides go out mid April and come in mid October. Nobody at our campground puts their slides in/out every weekend. And do not use any slide jacks.

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by Platokidd

We have a seasonal site and no one at the cg closes their slides.

Originally Posted by Wiscampsin

We on a seasonal site and our slides go out mid April and come in mid October. Nobody at our campground puts their slides in/out every weekend. And do not use any slide jacks.

Same here. It would be way too much hassle to shift everything around inside every weekend.

[Oaklevel]

Most dealers I have seen leave the slides out til they sell the unit.

[OldCoot]

The only time our slides are in is when it is being towed. If it is parked, the slides are out!

[Brother Les]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

Most dealers I have seen leave the slides out til they sell the unit.

Dealers have completely different issues to worry about in opening and closing 'dozens' of slides daily.

They do not put batteries in the units until they are sold.
There would be wear and tear on the motors/slides that are not needed.
The time factor alone would kill the ideas of open vs closed.
Dealers don't 'care' about the units... get them in and get them out....water or wind damage, the 'shop' or insurance will take care of it.

etc.

I would close mine.... and mine is not yours.... so keep it open

[RVBikers]

Personally, I'd close them each time. I dont think they are designed to stay open that long. I'd worry the seals dry out quicker.
As far as jacks, my manual said DO NOT use slide jacks. The issue is, it settling uneven and putting pressure on the mechanisms & frame.

[Randy and Diane]

We leave our 27rlws at a resort in Alberta all year. We put the slides out
1 May and close them 30 Sept. which is the norm for everyone (154 campers). Suggestions include:
Treating the seals a couple of times during season as the rubber is exposed to the sun all the time.
Get up on the roof at the end of the season "Before" closing the slides to ensure there are no branches, pinecones, dead squirrels, etc. laying on top that may jam between the slide and the wall.
Close the slides when the weather has been warm and sunny. Don't want to draw in rain soaked slides that will increase interior humidity for the winter.
Enjoy your mobile cottage

[davidjb]

We park our lacosse 322 in Maine from May to Nov. and leave the slides out. I do treat the seals twice a year. I feel that pulling the slides in and out when staying stationary is needless wear..so far so good. Going into our 4th year.

[Soonermikel]

We bought our first TT with slides last weekend! We talked to several people in the RV park where we leave it...almost all said to leave them out...we go back every couple of weeks!

[5er_tom]

Do you have covers on the slides? If so, them no issues leaving them out.
My 2 cents


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[Brother Les]

Leave them out and the bottom will rot out.....:

RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Slide Floor Water Damage (Long with lots of pics)

[donanddona]

On the exterior bottom corners of many slides are plastic guide/slides. If you have them they will/do wear out. They break and cost $200 to have replaced. It is normal occurrence and if neglected will indeed rot the floor. Excessive usage whether normal or not come from usage. Everybody that I have talked to in RV camps leave them out.

[Platokidd]

Originally Posted by Brother Les

Leave them out and the bottom will rot out.....:

RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Slide Floor Water Damage (Long with lots of pics)

The darco wrap is the problem! From opening and closing it wears out.
Dumbest idea for slide bottoms left in or out!

[Brother Les]

Originally Posted by Platokidd

The darco wrap is the problem! From opening and closing it wears out.
Dumbest idea for slide bottoms.

I am reading the 'slide out/underside wearing' thread now.... at 3/14..... getting the same and taking unit to dealer next week. Reading up on the problem. I have noticed that the 'rollers' on the side rails are not even touching the rails to help hold up and glide the slide in and out. the slide seems to sit 'low' and is not going in and out easily, but jerks around...

[Puma Dan]

Originally Posted by 5er_tom

Do you have covers on the slides? If so, them no issues leaving them out.
My 2 cents


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Thanks for all the help everyone. By covers do you mean the awnings? If so yes I do. I think everyone at the CG leave theirs out and was thinking it would wear them out putting them in and out every weekend.