another newbie question:)I just noticed in my manual ( for 2008 Everest) that it says that slide outs should be "actuated" once or twice a week during extended periods.I left the slide outs open all summer without knowing and I have close them now and they seem to work fine.Does anyone know the explanation as to why that is important?thanksHere is the exact text from the manualRooms that will be extended for long periods of time should be actuated 1-2 times a week.

first i've heard of that. could be cover-our-behind language.

Works just like your mother told you about crossing your eyes - if you do that too long, they might stay that way! Exercising the slide out can't hurt and probably keeps them from sticking.

Helps keeps the debris (tree sap, bird poop, etc) from building up and sticking to the slideout roof. If you don't have a slideout topper and leave the slideout extended for a long period be sure to clean the roof before pulling it in.

I think it's just common sense to occasionally activate any type of mechanism. If for no other reason than to let you know it's working and not seized. Sometime you may have to leave quickly, it's nice to know you can retract the slide without any problems.But that's just me. I know some people think that if your car, generator, snow blower, or anything mechanical is working when you put it in the garage it will work normally after sitting for a year or two.The few minutes it takes to activate the slide may save you from grief in the future.

To keep the slide seals from adhering to the slide. Rubber seals/gaskets can "bond" and then tear loose. Also, to make the mechanism work a few times. If NOT using the RV leave the rooms retracted. IF the slides fail to retract, HOW do you get the RV in for service? Better to have the slides fail retracted. Doug

slide out question when fifth wheel is parked for the summer

gbopp
Explorer
Oct 17, 2019
I think it's just common sense to occasionally activate any type of mechanism. If for no other reason than to let you know it's working and not seized.
Sometime you may have to leave quickly, it's nice to know you can retract the slide without any problems.

But that's just me. I know some people think that if your car, generator, snow blower, or anything mechanical is working when you put it in the garage it will work normally after sitting for a year or two.

The few minutes it takes to activate the slide may save you from grief in the future.
Rover_Bill
Explorer II
Oct 17, 2019
Helps keeps the debris (tree sap, bird poop, etc) from building up and sticking to the slideout roof. If you don't have a slideout topper and leave the slideout extended for a long period be sure to clean the roof before pulling it in.
DFord
Explorer
Oct 17, 2019
Works just like your mother told you about crossing your eyes - if you do that too long, they might stay that way! Exercising the slide out can't hurt and probably keeps them from sticking.
rk911
Explorer
Oct 17, 2019
first i've heard of that. could be cover-our-behind language.

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slide out question when fifth wheel is parked for the summer

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