Quote:
Originally Posted by Terp71
I am new to RVing and just purchased a 2017 Winnebago Vista 31KE. If my slide is out and the retract switch does not retract the slide for some reason, how do I get the slide to go in and stay retracted until I can get it to a shop?
Haven't had this problem yet for we are just doing our maiden voyage this coming weekend but I'm trying to get my knowledge base up to speed in case we have an emergency.
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Download the correct pdf of the slide out manual for your model of trailer for starters. In my case the kitchen slide out is manufactured by lippert and I keep the original paper version of the owners manual for it and other essential how to info in the trailer.
You may have to remove two covers inside the trailer to gain adequate access to the motor drive assembly as I do with our 2016 winnie drop. I then need to disconnect the drives with standard tools. Then carefully push the slide evenly back to closed and secure it as instructed in the case of slide motor failure.
Some designs have an emergency crank under the trailer ours does not, but if it did I would still need to disconnect the drive shafts from the motors. .
I also carry a small step ladder with me in the largest pass through so that cleaning any debris off the top of the slide out before sliding in when camped in treed environs is easy. Camping in Parksville I had to remove some sizeable pieces of Douglas fir branches and all the leaves and dirt which accumulated during a heavy storm.
Thanks for reminding me to service the slide again this spring. It is done with a high quality spray grease available from decent retailers that stock it. Wipe and clean the outer tracks then spray them carefully in the teeth along the rails. Then use a rubber silicon conditioner after cleaning and inspecting the seal. Make sure that the upper seal flips back and forth correctly and that all the weather seals and especially the floor rollers on the bottom of the slide are all in prime condition and most importantly that there are no problems with the slide track alignment setting and the slide seals up straight and true compressing the inner and outer side seals about 50%.
Don't slide it out until as level as possible, maintain it correctly and you will do just fine. Our lippert slide out also calls to have the power to the unit turned on while in transit. Needless to say with the slide fully in.
But I do switch the power to the slide control under the sink off when parked and do not leave it on. Which sucks too much battery power.
The slide controller is designed to have a small amount of pressure from the motors to the slide gears if the power is turned on without the in-out buttons being pressed, according to the manual.
To state the obvious for some who read this:
Our unit can have problems if you keep the button pushed thinking that it will help the slide to seal and the manual warns the user not to keep full power to the motors after the slide either closes or opens completely to the seals. Which is one of the main causes of motor or gear alignment failures. Bouncing down back roads with a slide partially out might also contribute to slide gear alignment issues out here in the boon docks of North America that is.
Yes the statement in the previous paragraph was a little pedantic but then again I do read pedantic crap like trailer slide manuals!
Another possible unforeseen issue may easily occur if you fail to check to be certain that nothing is hidden or has fallen behind the slide covers inside the trailer before sliding out. I my case I have to use a flash light to be certain, especially if our granddaughter has been playing inside the trailer with the slide in.
Crushed dolls are not necessarily going to cause a slide out failure but something like a rock getting in under the slide out just might,
All the best and happy camping. Something which I too hope to be able to accomplish again and soon,
There is small a learning curve.
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