Hope this wasn't YOUR slide-out!

Same thing happened to me a few years ago. Slide bolt had sheared when bringing it in and I didn't realize it. Was getting on I-40 East in downtown Memphis making a right hand turn on the entrance ramp it slid out a few inches. Noticed it as soon as I looked in the mirror to merge. I took the next left hand bend a little hard and it came back in. Limped it a couple of miles to a big exit and put a couple of manual locks on the the previous owner had left underneath. Was glad I had it. He had to know if he had looked in the mirror.

We do a safety check every single time we get back on the road, even after refueling or stopping for lunch. When traveling, this can be three - four times a day. Both hubby and I do a walk-around because one can catch what the other doesn't. Coming home from FL we caught a bad tire. Sometimes windows have worked open, propane doors popped open, etc. Make sure to look up, down, and under! We also go inside to see how stuff is traveling -- did cupboard doors pop open, something get forgotten that's sliding around, etc. On long trips, we also check tire pressures!

John&Joey wrote:
Over the years I have seen that twice. Crank up antenna many times, and steps out a few. Makes you wonder who is driving these things.

Like I always say, to drive an 18 wheeler you need to go to school. But to drive an RV all you need is a valid driver license and good credit or cash. Then there is that age thing....

18 Wheelers and commercial drivers have to do a safety walk around check before driving off, sometimes I've seen it done at rest stops. Its a good Idea for RVers also. The last thing I do after making sure all inside things are done is to turn on flashers and parking lights and do a safety walk around. check lights ant., windows, tires, and a good look under unit. I like to thump the tires listen to hear if all sound the same. checking air all the time lets some out.

My slide, I only have one on the driver's side, will come out an inch or two if, somehow, I don't fully retract it and took a right curve/turn. Doesn't make a sound when it does. I keep a constant eye on it in hte mirror, but I know to keep the motor retracting an extra second or two even once the slide makes contact with the side wall until it starts to struggle a bit.

jwmII wrote:
Gee! Maybe we should create a special license endorsement for motorhome drivers along with their air brake training and of course the antenna could be included along with the electric steps and the open fuel door. All potential safety hazards but it's ok to leave your fridge burner on along with the water heater when refueling.

:B

mockturtle wrote:
BTW, this was a front slide so it was really sticking out further than it looks in the photo.

I thought it was the bedroom slide at first. You would have to know looking in the mirrors and hearing wind noise behind your head, eventually even the passenger would have had to see, if there was one

I would have been contacting the local police as soon as I saw the driver wasn't going to recognize my warning. That slide could have come out and hit someone. That is a scary traffic hazard, and the police should have been made aware of it.

Gee! Maybe we should create a special license endorsement for motorhome drivers along with their air brake training and of course the antenna could be included along with the electric steps and the open fuel door. All potential safety hazards but it's ok to leave your fridge burner on along with the water heater when refueling.

Dutch_12078 wrote:

cj7365 wrote:
Do the slides have an "emergency lock" ? you know if the slide mech is broke once you get it in, is there a mechanical lock to use?

Some RV's come supplied with adjustable slide lock bars, but it's pretty simple to make one when needed. I made one for a broken slide on a fellow's TT one time from a chunk of firewood.

I have a manual lock I use every time for my large slide. Got in the habit of using it & it is muscle memory now. My smaller back slide doesn't have one, but I carry lots of blocks & pieces of wood, I could make something quick if needed. Worse case I could use a drawer from the rear closet to block the slide.

Over the years I have seen that twice. Crank up antenna many times, and steps out a few. Makes you wonder who is driving these things.

Like I always say, to drive an 18 wheeler you need to go to school. But to drive an RV all you need is a valid driver license and good credit or cash. Then there is that age thing....