Are Slide Lock Bars Necessary?

I have seen several A's and C's with a big strap around it holding the slides, they did not have a locking bar or slide stop, those straps where preventing the slide from moving, if all else it is for an emergency move.

navegator

lanerd wrote:
I would say that if the unit came with a slide lock, then use it. If the mfg deemed it necessary to include one, there must be a reason. As mentioned, there are ways to remind you that the lock is in place.

Ron

X2

If you have ever been driving down the road and had a slide come all the way out you would!
I had my coach in for jack issues(hyd) and after they finished working on it they didn't refill the tank. After I got it back and left for a trip I was making a right hand turn and the LR slide came all the way out fast almost causing an accident.

I called and told them, said to bring it in, luckily I was able to get the slide back in and found a 2x4 I had and placed it inside to lock slide in.

LR slide hydraulic actuated and low fluid didn't keep slide locked in place.

I would say that if the unit came with a slide lock, then use it. If the mfg deemed it necessary to include one, there must be a reason. As mentioned, there are ways to remind you that the lock is in place.

Ron

HI Ol 'yeller,

All that holds the slide in is either the gear, or hydraulic strut (depending on which type you have). We saw the results where the driver swerved to avoid a deer, which caused his travel trailer to whip in a high speed s curving motion. The lateral g forces overloaded the slide mechanism, and it came out. This caused the trailer to flip, and dragged the truck over on it's side. The dealer told us to always use the lock when we got our trailer in 2005, and we always did.

We hung an orange ribbon off of the slide lock to make sure that we didn't forget it.

Having said that, I don't know if a Class C would ever experience that kind of lateral load on the slide. But what the heck, it couldn't hurt.

In a travel trailer, I would say to always use it. In a class C, I really don't know. But, since it came with one, go ahead and take the 30 seconds to use it. There is probably a good reason why the manufacturer included it.

I've always used the one that came with my unit and always wondered if it was really needed. I've also worried about forgetting it and causing problems. Maybe next season it will go away.

I've never used them, tho have had them come with travel trailers. Have no plans to every use them either.

My fear with slide locks is that there is always the potential that you will forget to remove it. Extending the slide with the lock in place risks damaging the slide or the outer wall of the RV.

Our Minnie didn't come with slide locks.

No!