Dandy Dan wrote:
Open Range does use cable system on their slides. If JEBar would investigate the slide system he would find that it is aircraft cable, the system has been around for some time and there are more companies using this as it reduces the weight of the vehicle as much as 500 pounds per slide. I got our Open Range in May of 2008, have pulled it over 25000 miles and the slides have worked flawless and mine was the 165th unit they built. Check out the BAL website and make your own decision instead of taking gospel by someone who doesn't own the brand he states is best. (Sorry Jim) just my opinion Don't you trust airplanes?
first of all, I do hope your current camper gives you many years of good service and that you continue to be pleased with it .... the cable slides system used today is much improved over the one in the Zingers of a few years ago .... as stated they are installed because they cut weight and are cheaper .... my problem with cable slides isn't the cable, its the system .... over the years I've watched/helped folks with Open Range campers replace/adjust slide cables and its a most interesting process .... I find they way some leave a bow in their cables so water runs away from the slide seals and not into the camper to be very interesting .... its also interesting to see folks point out that they require no holes to be cut into the camper's frame .... when manufactures lighten their frames they do so to cut weight and save money (pretty much the creed of many companies today).... when a camper has a frame that is so strong/rigid that they can offer a unit on which a 4 point auto leveling system doesn't require additional stabilizers, they also design them to accommodate holes cut for the slides .... in short, no problem .... when a company saves money and weight by weakening their frames to where they require 6 points of stabilization plus JT strong arm stabilizers it would seem to be logical that it may not be good to make such cuts .... it also requires them to install stress relief joints (to prevent cracking in the wall caused by the frame flexing) in the sidewall under the bedroom slide .... I have no problems with flying and do so when necessary, my preference is to drive and take out camper .... we own the camper we have because its what we can afford and meets our needs at this time .... in the not too distant future we may well purchase a new one so we are doing our home work .... we took a good look at going lighter and for us that isn't a viable option .... our pending choices right now include the Pinnacle/Eagle Premier, Mobile Suit, and Excel with Heartland being a distant 4th .... not a cable slide in the bunch, all can be equipped with 4 point stabilizers .... info given to answer questions, not to say others should do anything
Jim