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Old 10-30-2017, 04:39 PM   #1
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Slide locks?

Is it worth it to use the slide locks? Does Forrest River recommend using them?
Do you use them? Do they protect the slide, or cause more damage to the wall etc? I can't decide.
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Old 10-30-2017, 05:34 PM   #2
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If provided with the slide system they must be used to prevent slide out extension in the case of a side load to the camper.

It is difficult, but not impossible, to start the slide moving (overcoming the gearbox clutch in an electric actuator slide) with a curb strike, hard turn, or accident. It is there just to pre-load the gearbox so the clutch is locked so the slide can not start moving.

I am told hydraulic actuated slide outs are even more prone to creeping open.

With cable type slide outs, they are provided in case the motor needs to be removed to close the slide. In this case the bar needs to be installed to keep the slide shut.

Obviously, you will need to remove them prior to opening a slide to prevent damage. It is no more onerous to check they are gone, than it is to check that doors or drawers have not opened during transit.
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Old 10-31-2017, 07:35 PM   #3
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My Mini Lite has the sticker in Herk's first pic, but I have no slide locks. Three years, no issues. I have a Schwintek motorized slideout. The Schwintek slide motors lock in place when de-energized.
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Old 12-11-2017, 08:54 PM   #4
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I recently bought a 2013 Micro-Lite 21FBRS and it also has the sticker but I haven't found the slide lock. Wondering how important it is.
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Old 12-11-2017, 11:09 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hawk1972 View Post
I recently bought a 2013 Micro-Lite 21FBRS and it also has the sticker but I haven't found the slide lock. Wondering how important it is.
Important enough that I would contact the Micro-Lite division and request a replacement. As safety equipment they might just send you what you need as a good will gesture. If not, they should not be all that expensive.
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Old 12-11-2017, 11:12 PM   #6
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I was told by the dealership mechanic that he has seen more sidewall damage done by people forgetting to remove it prior to opening than slideout failure. Dunno.
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Old 12-12-2017, 12:09 PM   #7
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"Forgetting" the brace can be eliminated by keeping the orange tags that are tied to the brace with a long string in place (string visible in this photo). They hang down in plain sight and you will be looking at the slide when you go to open it. If you get a brace without the tag and string attached, it would be easy to add.

I also put a "sticky note" over the slide out wall switches reminding me to check.

Since in my camper, there are drawers and hatches that can catch on the slide out when moving it, I need to squeeze back there to check that nothing came open before I try moving the slide in any case. I am sure being hit in the face by the hanging tags would also remind me to remove them.
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Old 12-12-2017, 12:18 PM   #8
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The best use I have for mine is to install it in the back of my covered pickup bed to keep tool boxes from sliding to the front when braking with an otherwise empty bed. It also might work for a good clothes hanger bar.
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Old 01-02-2018, 08:45 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by windsurfdog View Post
The best use I have for mine is to install it in the back of my covered pickup bed to keep tool boxes from sliding to the front when braking with an otherwise empty bed. It also might work for a good clothes hanger bar.
lol. very true.

my 2017 FOREST RIVER ROCKWOOD 8312SS has two slides, yet only one slide lock and one set of stickers is on my unit...in the smallest rear slide.

personally i don't use it, and have over 20k in travel on it this year. and the orange tag didnt remind me it was installed as i could not see the rear slide the first and last time i used it!
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Old 01-03-2018, 09:13 AM   #10
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My former 5wheel, a Rockwood, had 3 slides but did not come with slide locks. While towing it home from a dealer after getting some service done, I came down an off ramp that leaned to the left with a rather sharp right hand curve. I was going perhaps 30. I looked in the mirror to check traffic for the merge and noticed the top of the slide was tipped out about 8"!!!
Back to the dealer and was given two slide locks and used them every trip for 2 years. The offending slide was very heavy with couch, oven/range and refer in it.
Current unit, Wildcat, does not have refer in slide out so locks not needed.

Anyone want slide locks? I have 2.
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Old 01-03-2018, 09:46 AM   #11
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When we bought our first trailer (we ordered a 2015 Rockwood Mini Lite), the stickers were there, the slide lock was not. So we didnt worry about it. When we bought our new trailer (2018 Rockwood Mini Lite), we had the lock. Now that we have it, we use it everytime. The weird part is that the one we special ordered didnt have the lock, the one we got off a dealers lot did have the lock. Did the factory just forget to put it in? Did the dealership take it out and forget to put it back? Did the dealer take it out and "steal it" from me? lol. So many questions. But back on topic, if you have them, I'd use them. I look at it the same way as the emergency brake on your car. Many people never use it and never have a problem, but its there, so I use it as a way to keep pressure off the drivetrain, even when parked on level ground
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