Slide tilts up when retracting

[Chrisr]

I'm looking at a 2005 forest river roo 21ss. I was surprised at how the slide retracted. At first the bottom started coming in but the top stayed against the wall, so the whole slide was tilted down towards the outside, then it kind of flopped down so it was level again. Is that normal? The only slide I've ever seen stayed level the whole time.

Thanks for any input. I look forward to learning everything I can on here.
Chris

[llr]

Mine both do that, I assume it is normal because my slides drive from underneath the slide

[joeuncool]

Depends on how much movement you are talking. I'm trying to remember exactly how mine goes but I think when it goes out, it moves out and in the first few inches it kind of tilts out, then it continues out until max where it settles and levels in the last few inches. The when it comes back in, I think it tilts back a little in the first few inches, comes in and then in the last few inches tilts back to level and settles inside. It kind of climbs back in a little would be my best description but only a little.

It shouldn't be tilting more than a couple inches. Again, I am describing this from memory so I may not be 100% correct on when it tilts back and forth. Something that I watch every time I put it in and our but don't really think about it and put it to memory.

[SeaDog]

Welcome to the forum its a great place to get your questions answered. Yes the slides do tilt the bottom has to rise to come up on the rollers and once in place should level out.

[Chrisr]

Thanks everybody. Sounds like the tilt is normal. I went ahead and bought it so I'll have more questions I'm sure.

Chris

[Feel Swift]

100% normal as its an above the floor slide, AKA a sofa slide despite on a 21SS of that vintage the Dinette is also built into it, it's why there is a valance piece across the bottom the entire length and you need to step up into the dinette. Pull the lower valance and watch how it operates when you retract it.



I believe it was the last year for that design as they went to the full height slide in 2006.


Get a set of slide locks if you don't have them, or make your own to jam in the top when retracted. You definitely want them with that type slide as it's top heavy. It won't fall out without them, but it will move at the top when retracted.

[mwdilday]

Mine does that. I always figured it was so the fixed floor and the slide floor would be level when it is out and raise up to clear the fixed floor when retracting.

[Chrisr]

Originally Posted by Feel Swift

Get a set of slide locks if you don't have them, or make your own to jam in the top when retracted. You definitely want them with that type slide as it's top heavy. It won't fall out without them, but it will move at the top when retracted.

Ok time to google slide locks. Thanks again

[Bama Rambler]

We had an '06 with a sofa slide and they do tilt a little, but it started to tilt a lot. I took the panel off and found the the guides that keep the slide somewhat level during travel had broken off. I welded them back on and it worked much better from then on. So it may be something you should check if it tilts very much going in or out.

[itat]

Originally Posted by Feel Swift

100% normal as its an above the floor slide, AKA a sofa slide despite on a 21SS of that vintage the Dinette is also built into it, it's why there is a valance piece across the bottom the entire length and you need to step up into the dinette. Pull the lower valance and watch how it operates when you retract it.



I believe it was the last year for that design as they went to the full height slide in 2006.


Get a set of slide locks if you don't have them, or make your own to jam in the top when retracted. You definitely want them with that type slide as it's top heavy. It won't fall out without them, but it will move at the top when retracted.

Not all slides use slide locks but they probably did on a 2005 Roo. Look for these white stickers that show where to place the locks.

[SLU2]

Our 2012 FR Surveyor does the same thing. They tilt up when fully in. When we checked on the place this past spring with the slide outs in, we had wet carpeting in the big slide(kitchen/living room). we checked all the seals and found the top seals pulling away from the trailer. I guess I will be leaving the slides out for the winter since we Never had any leaks with them out.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by Chrisr

Thanks everybody. Sounds like the tilt is normal. I went ahead and bought it so I'll have more questions I'm sure.

Chris

It is normal on ours. The slide tilts up when retracting. It slides out and then drops into place when extending so the floor is level with the rest of the room.

Our previous camper had the slide elevated above the floor making a trip hazared where the slide and the main floor met.