Forum Discussion

mdfenley's avatar
mdfenley
Explorer
Dec 27, 2016

Getting Started Again

Ok, cliff notes version.....

Father passes away and leaves money. I pay off bills and then by a used travel trailer....two years later wife decided to leave and divorces me..... 4 years later I am looking at using the camper again but it's been sitting winterized. Currently the living room slide won't open. The motor runs and you can hear gears clicking, but no movement. Checking out the undercarriage, the gears are massively rusted. I'm looking for ideas on what to do? I'm thinking if I hook up to it and town it around for a few minutes that the movement of the trailer should break the gears free (Go thru a neighborhood with speed bumps?) or should I just take it to a camper repair place (Local place where I purchased it) and let them break them free & lubricate the gears?

I haven't checked out the refrigerator or heat/ac yet, but everything was working when I winterized it 4 years ago. I'm hoping for the best, but not expecting it.

Any ideas??

Thanks

Mark
  • bdpreece's avatar
    bdpreece
    Explorer II
    Dec 27, 2016
    Huntindog wrote:
    The clicking is probably the clutch. It is slipping as the rusted gears are making the system act as though the slide is at the end of it's travel, or has hit an obstruction.

    I would get an aerosol can of the penetrating lubricant of your choice, and shoot it in there.
    If room permits, tapping it with a plastic headed hammer etc. may be enough to free it up. If not, a drive may very well do it. It all depends on just how "stuck" the gears are.

    Good luck


    X2!!

    Spend $5 for a can of aerosol penetrating lube and save $400 or $500. Spray everything down. let it set a few hours then get some one to push the switch while you try to help it get started moving. Be careful though those gears will eat fingers. You also might want to check to see if the slide seals need some 303 Protectant or something similar as they may be stuck also.
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Dec 27, 2016
    The clicking is probably the clutch. It is slipping as the rusted gears are making the system act as though the slide is at the end of it's travel, or has hit an obstruction.

    I would get an aerosol can of the penetrating lubricant of your choice, and shoot it in there.
    If room permits, tapping it with a plastic headed hammer etc. may be enough to free it up. If not, a drive may very well do it. It all depends on just how "stuck" the gears are.

    Good luck
  • Drbolasky's avatar
    Drbolasky
    Explorer
    Dec 27, 2016
    j.p.f. wrote:
    before going on any drives check out the brakes and lights and make sure they work.

    Check tires for cracks, dry rot, etc. Check valve stems, too.
  • j_p_f_'s avatar
    j_p_f_
    Explorer
    Dec 27, 2016
    before going on any drives check out the brakes and lights and make sure they work.
  • DOTLDaddy's avatar
    DOTLDaddy
    Nomad
    Dec 27, 2016
    mdfenley wrote:
    ... I'm thinking if I hook up to it and town it around for a few minutes that the movement of the trailer should break the gears free (Go thru a neighborhood with speed bumps?)...
    Your suggested possible fix is free, so why not try it first?. :@
  • rdmike's avatar
    rdmike
    Explorer
    Dec 27, 2016
    DownTheAvenue wrote:
    There is a great repair facility very near you- Apalachee RV Repair Center on Hwy 316 in Auburn. Take it there.


    X2 best service in the US IMHO.
  • DownTheAvenue's avatar
    DownTheAvenue
    Explorer
    Dec 27, 2016
    There is a great repair facility very near you- Apalachee RV Repair Center on Hwy 316 in Auburn. Take it there.
  • Dennis_Smith's avatar
    Dennis_Smith
    Explorer
    Dec 27, 2016
    Driving around want fix the gears, take it and have it serviced. And let them check it all, 400 or 500 hundred and you should be able to sleep well knowing it all works

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