I left my new-to-me 5th wheel at the end of the season with pool "noodles" on one of my slide outs to avoid banged heads when it is out. Should I drive 6 hours round trip to remove the "noodles" and re- close the sliders to avoid leaks? Also, my unit says the battery must be on to open the slide outs. Will they operate on just battery power or should I hook up my electric temporarily?

Your slides should not leak while open if the seals are in good condition. (Conversely, a slide can leak either in or out if seals are in poor condition.)Slides will operate on battery power unless your batteries are getting low.

Moved from Forum Technical Support

I think the OP means that the slides are closed with the noodles in place. If this is the case, I would make the long drive to close the slides without restriction, to avoid possible damage from leaks, bugs, or rodents.A charged battery will operate the slides, or take good jumper cables to jump from vehicle to trailer battery if needed.Jerry

MFL wrote:I think the OP means that the slides are closed with the noodles in place. If this is the case, I would make the long drive to close the slides without restriction, to avoid possible damage from leaks, bugs, or rodents.A charged battery will operate the slides, or take good jumper cables to jump from vehicle to trailer battery if needed.JerryX2Do you have a true battery disconnect switch?? If so and your battery is in decent shape, it will run the slides in and out several times.Otherwise parasitic draws will run it down in a couple weeks.

Slide outs will only effectively seal when completely retracted or extended.Pool noodles left in place when slide out was retracted will interfere with slide out sealingLooks like a road trip.

closing sliders | Good Sam Community

RoyF
Explorer
Mar 24, 2016
Your slides should not leak while open if the seals are in good condition. (Conversely, a slide can leak either in or out if seals are in poor condition.)

Slides will operate on battery power unless your batteries are getting low.
1492
Moderator
Mar 24, 2016
Moved from Forum Technical Support
MFL
Nomad II
Mar 24, 2016
I think the OP means that the slides are closed with the noodles in place. If this is the case, I would make the long drive to close the slides without restriction, to avoid possible damage from leaks, bugs, or rodents.

A charged battery will operate the slides, or take good jumper cables to jump from vehicle to trailer battery if needed.

Jerry
rhagfo
Explorer III
Mar 24, 2016
MFL wrote:
I think the OP means that the slides are closed with the noodles in place. If this is the case, I would make the long drive to close the slides without restriction, to avoid possible damage from leaks, bugs, or rodents.

A charged battery will operate the slides, or take good jumper cables to jump from vehicle to trailer battery if needed.

Jerry

X2

Do you have a true battery disconnect switch?? If so and your battery is in decent shape, it will run the slides in and out several times.
Otherwise parasitic draws will run it down in a couple weeks.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Mar 24, 2016
Slide outs will only effectively seal when completely retracted or extended.

Pool noodles left in place when slide out was retracted will interfere with slide out sealing

Looks like a road trip.
allimax
Explorer
Mar 24, 2016
Seems to me, on March 23, if there is to be a problem, it has already happened. However, with rain season approaching, it might be best to make the trip.
Anmacc2
Explorer
Mar 24, 2016
MFL wrote:
I think the OP means that the slides are closed with the noodles in place. If this is the case, I would make the long drive to close the slides without restriction, to avoid possible damage from leaks, bugs, or rodents.
Jerry

Trying to learn by asking questions... Why is the slide more vulnerable if it isn't completely closed or completely open? I often open mine just a foot or so and am now wondering if I'm something wrong. Thanks.
is_it_friday_ye
Explorer
Mar 24, 2016
Your slide outs have a gasket on both inside edges. If you don't open or close it all the way, neither gasket will be touching you camper sidewall and water could come in. The thin rubber sweep may not prevent water from coming in.
MFL
Nomad II
Mar 24, 2016
is it friday yet? wrote:
Your slide outs have a gasket on both inside edges. If you don't open or close it all the way, neither gasket will be touching you camper sidewall and water could come in. The thin rubber sweep may not prevent water from coming in.

Yes, this ^^^ If you look around the slide, when out a foot or so, you will usually see light showing in several areas. It does not hurt if you need to do this temporarily, but I would not leave the RV unattended long term.

Jerry
Hondavalk
Explorer II
Mar 24, 2016
Anmacc2 wrote:
MFL wrote:

Trying to learn by asking questions... Why is the slide more vulnerable if it isn't completely closed or completely open? I often open mine just a foot or so and am now wondering if I'm something wrong. Thanks.

Not knowing what slide system you have but if it's a Schwintek you will get your slide motors out of sync if you don't fully deploy them in one continuous action.

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