Forum Discussion

Bobalooie's avatar
Bobalooie
Explorer
Aug 06, 2019

American Tradition Slide Issue

We're looking at buying a 1998 American Tradition.

However, the slide has difficulty going out. It seems one side goes out faster than the other. One has to push on the corner of the slide, reverse it, go forward again, etc. to get the slide to finally go out. What is going on here, and is this possibly an expensive issue?
Class A
  • Bobalooie's avatar
    Bobalooie
    Explorer
    Aug 10, 2019
    wa8yxm wrote:
    IF this is a power gear Rack and Pinion slide odds are you have sheared a "pin" (there are 4 shear pins)

    THe pins are located either side of the transmission/motor assembly and just transmission side of the rails They are in a SQUARE shaft. The most common pin is a 1/4" grade 8 bolt You will need to buy a longer bolt and some washers because you must keep the SMOOTH shank of the bolt allt he way through (No threads inside the square shaft) The alternate pin is a 1/4 inch roll pin.

    If it's an ACCUSLIDE (Cables) one of the adjusting nuts came off

    Other makes I can not comment on.


    Does this involve pulling the slide out (ie. removing it) in order to repair?
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Aug 10, 2019
    IF this is a power gear Rack and Pinion slide odds are you have sheared a "pin" (there are 4 shear pins)

    THe pins are located either side of the transmission/motor assembly and just transmission side of the rails They are in a SQUARE shaft. The most common pin is a 1/4" grade 8 bolt You will need to buy a longer bolt and some washers because you must keep the SMOOTH shank of the bolt allt he way through (No threads inside the square shaft) The alternate pin is a 1/4 inch roll pin.

    If it's an ACCUSLIDE (Cables) one of the adjusting nuts came off

    Other makes I can not comment on.
  • 4x4van's avatar
    4x4van
    Explorer III
    Aug 09, 2019
    After 30 years RVing, I bought my first RV with slides about 2 1/2 years ago (used). I would never consider buying a slide-equipped RV with a malfunctioning slide.
  • Bobalooie's avatar
    Bobalooie
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2019
    camperdave wrote:
    If it were a cheap fix, the PO would have done it...


    Yes, you guys are right. The seller said to me that this is typical for these older units. I disagree. I talked to a service tech who said repairs could be $5-6k as a superslide is removed with a crane.

    Time to walk. Thanks.
  • way2roll's avatar
    way2roll
    Navigator II
    Aug 08, 2019
    IMHO, there are plenty of used units out there that I would wait for one without an issue like that. Might end up being expensive or leave you stranded if it gets stuck in the out position. If it were an easy fix, like an adjustment, you would think the seller would have already fixed it.
  • crawford's avatar
    crawford
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2019
    Sounds like it is in a bind and you free it to release it. my need a adjustment of some kind. you may need to look at it from under neath see what kind of unit it is.

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