Slide outs- how do they work?

[SactoSteve]

I have been curious about what the structural elements of the slideouts are and how they worked. Not the drive mechanism that moves the box, there is plenty on that.
An idle curiousity but i’m interested in what must be some sort of sliding support mechanism, like a drawer slide but beefy. I figured it would be an easy google, but I am coming up empty.

Any body?

-steve

[Ray,IN]

A slide room moves normally on nylon glide blocks underneath. The actual room is a box missing one side and built to be self-supporting. All it needs is a method of moving it in/out that also keeps it level and square with the opening.
reference: https://www.thervgeeks.com/rv-slide-out/

[Morich]

We don't get as much good info on trailers as motorized but this would seem to be the same, so maybe you would like to look at some drawings of various Winnebago Rv that have slides?
This will also take you to the older line type drawings where you can look at what parts are used on various RV with the interactive being the after 2010 group.
Pick one and see what they look like for what parts they use?

https://catalog3d.winnebagoind.com/menu/Parts.htm

Somewhat like heavy duty drawer glides would see to fit pretty close??

[SactoSteve]

All it needs is a method of moving it in/out that also keeps it level and square with the opening.

Well, maybe? A a box, when extended, would be teetering on those rollers at the edge of the trailer. The "box" would have a significant tendency to tip outward and fall out (it seems to me). Perhaps the top schwintek rail holds it in place, but thats a lot of force for that shallow little rail track and gear to hold in place.

My guess is a robust slide mechanism carries the bulk of the work of resisting the tendency to "tip out". Really puzzles me that this is not discussed anywhere that I've found so far.


-Steve

[SactoSteve]

Well, maybe? A a box, when extended, would be teetering on those rollers at the edge of the trailer. The "box" would have a significant tendency to tip outward and fall out (it seems to me). Perhaps the top schwintek rail holds it in place, but thats a lot of force for that shallow little rail track and gear to hold in place.

Based on looking at the Winnebago parts catalog for a Minnie Winnie 2021 (Thanks, Morich) It really is just as Ray,IN described! Amazing.

Thanks,
- Steve

[Morich]

Originally Posted by SactoSteve

Based on looking at the Winnebago parts catalog for a Minnie Winnie 2021 (Thanks, Morich) It really is just as Ray,IN described! Amazing.

Thanks,
- Steve

I think it may be a bit more supported when we have it out.
One thing that we are warned about is doing the slide when we are level but on those we have had there is also a "lip on the inner edge of that box. When we extend the slide, it does come to a full stop and that leaves the inner edge pressed against the RV outer wall, making both a seal as well as some support against tipping out.
So possibly we need to think of it as a box but with flaps opened to press against the sides?
That flap may not be obvious when we look at it as mine have always been Trim boards.
This is the trim which I feel also help make it more stable and there is a rubber seal behind it. We have noticed that the slide does sometime hit at teh top first and then kind of "wiggle" as we keep the switch depressed longer as instructed.
That keeping the switch on for a few seconds after we feel it is open is the way they recommend as it has a desing which then lets the slack in the
slower moving side sycn with the faster!

So that few seconds does several good things, in my view. It lets us get the stops fully against the sdie, depresses the seal and also lets the two motors sycn for the trip back in.

[Ray,IN]

Todays slde-rooms are only slightly similar to the first "expanded living area" for RV's. Imagine having to deal with tip-outs when going camping today.
reference: https://www.titanictrailerservices.c...-for-transport
I was camping before "tip-outs" were invented, and remember the excitement when they became available.

[SactoSteve]

So that few seconds does several good things, in my view. It lets us get the stops fully against the sdie, depresses the seal and also lets the two motors sycn for the trip back in.

Yes, this makes perfect sense, and different from the rationale the dealer gave us.

I did give the "box" a better look today and indeed there is a fairly healthy "L" bracket serving the support function when in the extended position. looks to be one continuous piece up the 2 sides and across top. Attached to the edge of the "box".

The thing is, for me, I'd have been happy with a smaller "U" shaped dinette eliminating the need for a slide. keep it simple.
I'm sure I'd be in the minority in any "focus group".

-steve