please help-slide problems

Question

Please help, I am full-timer in a 2012 Open Range Light 5th wheel.  I am having slide problems and have read and heard so many conflicting opinions!  My dining room slide will not retract due to the fact that the floor of the slide is not lifting sufficiently to clear the RV floor and ride above.  The slide motor seems to be operating fine, but without this clearance it cannot pull it in.  I spoke with a OR factor representative and he suspected that the compression blocks, which push the slide rollers and the slide floor in turn, upwards, were the culprit.  I earlier had a mobile RV tech service conclude that this is due to floor delamination though I don't see any evidence of this.  To add insult to injury, I have detected wood rot in the flooring surface of a bedroom slide. I am seeing dollar signs at this point and my questions are; 1) if both slide floors need replaced, does anyone have a ballpark estimate as to the cost (I lack the time or resources to take this on)?  2) can someone recommend a way to get the slide it to come in because at this point I am dead in the water and can't even transport the unit to a shop? 3) is this something a mobile service can handle since as a full-timer, I would have to find alternate housing?  4) is it crazy to sink this kind of money into a 2012 rig?  I've entertained the idea of cutting my losses and buying a travel trailer with only 1 slide and a warranty.  Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks

scottg · Answer

Never heard of a "compression block" but slides either have rollers or a strip of hard, (suaully white) plastic that they ride on as they come in. This piece of plastic spans the width of the slide and you can see it if you lift the flap of carpet at the front of your slide.
The front edge of the slide simply rides up on either of these two conveyances.
If someone has stepped on the unspported front edge of the slide floor while it is partially in, it can brake that long plastic guide piece. (at least that's how I broke one..) Then the slide will grind along the top of the floor and/or carpet.
I would inspect these parts carefully.

If the plastic guide is broken, you either need to have it replaced or even better, do as I did and modify the floor to accept rollers (BIG job).

darryl_rita · Answer

Find a way to help the slide lift. Use wood to spread the weight of the slide over a larger area, then apply a jack, or 2, to help the inside edge lift. Once it's up and over the edge, the jacks shouldn't be needed anymore.

morelostthanfou · Answer

ScottG wrote:Never heard of a "compression block" but slides either have rollers or a strip of hard, (suaully white) plastic that they ride on as they come in. This piece of plastic spans the width of the slide and you can see it if you lift the flap of carpet at the front of your slide. The front edge of the slide simply rides up on either of these two conveyances.If someone has stepped on the unspported front edge of the slide floor while it is partially in, it can brake that long plastic guide piece. (at least that's how I broke one..) Then the slide will grind along the top of the floor and/or carpet. I would inspect these parts carefully.If the plastic guide is broken, you either need to have it replaced or even better, do as I did and modify the floor to accept rollers (BIG job).Thanks Scott!  The RV slide has rollers and these "compression blocks" are nylon wedges positioned under each roller and serve to lift the rollers and the slide floor.

scottg · Answer

I think I know what you mean. My buddy's Arctic Fox was built that way. Glad you have the rollers. A much better design in my mind.

Forum Discussion

please help-slide problems

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

Help with slide motor please

7pin wiring problem. Please help!

Slide Help

Slide Topper - Help

Need slide out help