I'm looking at maybe buying my first RV with a slide to full-time on the road, but the owner demonstrated that it's sluggish when sliding out, he had to give it several shoves at the top to get it to move. He thought maybe it just needed a lube. This is a super slide which contains the couch and kitchen.Would this be a very bad sign and I should avoid, or is he probably right that it only needs a lube? We would be sliding it in and out quite often since we would be on the road.

It could be a number of things causing improper operation of slide, but having a mobile tech check it out, before purchase, would be best. Then you will have a better idea, of the seriousness of the problem. Many slides do not require any lube, or special attention, but being in proper adjustment is critical, for regular use.Jerry

As mentioned, could be lots of things. Low battery, misaligned, not lubed, or something very serious. I have to think that's one of the things that would scare me away from an RV. A non working slide is a big deal if it needs fixed and possible could leave you stranded. I would have to ask, if it just needed lube why didn't the seller take care of that already?

way2roll wrote:As mentioned, could be lots of things. Low battery, misaligned, not lubed, or something very serious. I have to think that's one of the things that would scare me away from an RV. A non working slide is a big deal if it needs fixed and possible could leave you stranded. I would have to ask, if it just needed lube why didn't the seller take care of that already?That's a good question. It is otherwise well-maintained, and he was living in it, parked all the time, not really traveling, so he might not have thought it important. I'll ask him to lube it if we get serious, and if he's not willing we'll pass, and if he lubes it and it doesn't improve, we'll pass.

Slides shouldn't need lube, that attracts dirt. I would check for misalignment.

Personally, there are sooo many RVs out there, I wouldn’t even consider one that was “lived in” full time unless significantly less $ than comparable. Think of the RV part as a high mile car. Far more use and wear n tear on all the components than the majority of newer used RVs. And then the fact that it has sat and not been towed is sort of akin to the person who parks their car and never uses it. Not saying this isn’t the right one. But consider not just what you’re buying but how it was used. And people who don’t fix stuff and then just say, “Oh it’s a simple fix” are either lazy, liars or both. Either way it’s a red flag.

[SOLVED] Buy if slide out is sluggish? | Good Sam Community

2oldman
Explorer II
Jul 16, 2021
Slides shouldn't need lube, that attracts dirt. I would check for misalignment.
SlowBro
Explorer III
Jul 16, 2021
way2roll wrote:
As mentioned, could be lots of things. Low battery, misaligned, not lubed, or something very serious. I have to think that's one of the things that would scare me away from an RV. A non working slide is a big deal if it needs fixed and possible could leave you stranded. I would have to ask, if it just needed lube why didn't the seller take care of that already?

That's a good question. It is otherwise well-maintained, and he was living in it, parked all the time, not really traveling, so he might not have thought it important. I'll ask him to lube it if we get serious, and if he's not willing we'll pass, and if he lubes it and it doesn't improve, we'll pass.
way2roll
Navigator II
Jul 16, 2021
As mentioned, could be lots of things. Low battery, misaligned, not lubed, or something very serious. I have to think that's one of the things that would scare me away from an RV. A non working slide is a big deal if it needs fixed and possible could leave you stranded. I would have to ask, if it just needed lube why didn't the seller take care of that already?
MFL
Nomad II
Jul 16, 2021
It could be a number of things causing improper operation of slide, but having a mobile tech check it out, before purchase, would be best. Then you will have a better idea, of the seriousness of the problem. Many slides do not require any lube, or special attention, but being in proper adjustment is critical, for regular use.

Jerry

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[SOLVED] Buy if slide out is sluggish?

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