Slider advice

Thanks for sharing that Vulcaneer!

We have slide toppers. Have only had a need to clean off the slide roof a couple times in like 12 years. Generally from pine needles blowing under them. But when I did need to clean the slide roof off, I closed the slide. And stood on a step stool on the inside of the trailer. And brushed them into a dust pan.

Just isn't a big deal.

The slide topper subject has come up as we began to look at buying again. My wife feels leaving the slides out all season contributed led the water damage we eventually experienced on the inside ceiling of the living room slide. Therefore thinking of having toppers. There is no way to roll up to clean the roof while slide is out?

Most folks agree that the Open Range line is a quality group of 5ers.

And it appears that all their slides are cable.

I questioned a dealer about them while on one of my dozens of looking visits. They told me they cable slides were very good - they didn't have any trouble with them compared to some of the slides on their Winnebago motor homes.

tadpole54 wrote:
Thanks Old-Biscuit. This is the kind of feedback I was looking for. I wondered if retracting the slides often would eventually create problems due to usage. But also thought about operational parts and the sides and roof(s) collecting dirt and grime during long periods of extended time. Just clean often I guess. Talcum powder Huh? It doesn't have a drying effect?

Our seals don't dry out due to material they are made from....don't know what it is but they haven't dried/become brittle/deteriorated etc.
The talcum powder keeps them from sticking and makes them slide easily.

We don't have slide toppers cause I didn't want to deal with them or have to try and clean under them if needed.
I sweep slide-out roofs off prior to closing and without toppers I can scrub them if needed and easily check them for any issues.

old guy wrote:
one bad thing about cable slides is they will jump out of the holes going into the slides and will eat through the walls of the slide. see it on a few units we worked on

WTF??? :h That is just BS. If that could ever happen, it would have to be from poor maintenance or unqualified service personnel that are screwing them up.

Gotta wonder where some of this stuff comes from?

The way the cable system works is an electric motor has a sprocket that drives a chain, that pulls a chain. Same as a garage door opener. How many Garage door opener chains are JUMPING out of their attachments?

Thanks Old-Biscuit. This is the kind of feedback I was looking for. I wondered if retracting the slides often would eventually create problems due to usage. But also thought about operational parts and the sides and roof(s) collecting dirt and grime during long periods of extended time. Just clean often I guess. Talcum powder Huh? It doesn't have a drying effect?

WE have a motor/chain drive fro bedroom slide
and the two in living room are hydraulic piston/rack & gear slides.

WE travel FT...and the slides are put in/out every week or 2 weeks so they have been operated a LOT over the last 7 yrs.

Both systems have been almost trouble free.
The relay for motor/chain had to be replaced.......unknown cause, just quit working
And a gear had to be replaced on one slide......damaged due to work that was done on slide out---not related to operating mechanism.

Haven't heard much about cable systems----guess that is good
Schwintek systems..........haven't heard anything but problems

Our slides are out except for travel days....I keep seals in good shape by using talcum powder on them.

So Old Guy. You prefer one of the other 2?

Cable. That's interesting. Never woulda thunk it.
If I leave them out, I should use something to keep the seals from drying?