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Terry26's avatar
Terry26
Explorer
Feb 12, 2016

Slide out goes out but struggles and won't come in

Hi,
I have a 2001 26' Fleetwood Terry and the slide out, although seems to go out fine tries to come back in but will only come in when pushed from the outside while wife presses the button. It seems to struggle in initially getting up and over the inside cabin but once about a foot in it comes in all the way without issue. It seems as though something is binding but I've looked under it extensively and cannot see to find the problem. Could the motor be the issue? It does work, however it just can't get over the initial "hump" when retracting.

Thanks

20 Replies

  • I would try to find our why it goes out easier than in. Also if the shore power converted can supply enough power without the battery.
  • bobndot wrote:
    The engineering of slide outs makes it easier to put it out than bring it back in.

    If that battery is ok, then I would next consider the slide track. Make sure its lubricated by using a dry slide out lubricate . Do not use a wet lube like WD-40 because it attracts dirt and will make things worse the day after tomorrow.
    'Protect All dry slide lube' , makes one , avl. at Camping world or Amazon. about $18-20.00

    After you lube it, see if its easier to bring it back in. If it is, then then you have an alignment issue. The metal tracks can be adjusted.

    Then your options are ...go to an Rv mechanic or google 'how to adjust the alignment of an RV slide out' . There are many youtube instructional videos on how to do it using various types and mfg.'s.

    I did lube the slide rails but no difference. I'm thinking it could possibly be an electrical connection issue at motor or inverter. I will be checking them too to eliminate that and double check the alignment.

    thanks

    Good luck, hope this info helps,
    Bob
  • bgum wrote:
    Power could still be the issue. Check all connections.


    yes, I agree to that. I'm going to disconnect clean and reconnect electrical wiring to motor. Likewise at the inverter.

    Thanks
  • amandasgramma wrote:
    Are your slides the cabled kind? Our slides have 2 cables on each side, top and bottom. The kitchen slide groaned and slowed down for maybe 5-6 times and finally a cable snapped. The cable had been unraveling for some time. We ended up ordering the cables on Amazon and hubby repaired it. They were around $23.00 each.....sooooo much cheaper than a repair shop.


    Hi, Mine is gear driven and ruled out bad gears.
  • The engineering of slide outs makes it easier to put it out than bring it back in.

    If that battery is ok, then I would next consider the slide track. Make sure its lubricated by using a dry slide out lubricate . Do not use a wet lube like WD-40 because it attracts dirt and will make things worse the day after tomorrow.
    'Protect All dry slide lube' , makes one , avl. at Camping world or Amazon. about $18-20.00

    After you lube it, see if its easier to bring it back in. If it is, then then you have an alignment issue. The metal tracks can be adjusted.

    Then your options are ...go to an Rv mechanic or google 'how to adjust the alignment of an RV slide out' . There are many youtube instructional videos on how to do it using various types and mfg.'s.

    Good luck, hope this info helps,
    Bob
  • Power could still be the issue. Check all connections.
  • Are your slides the cabled kind? Our slides have 2 cables on each side, top and bottom. The kitchen slide groaned and slowed down for maybe 5-6 times and finally a cable snapped. The cable had been unraveling for some time. We ended up ordering the cables on Amazon and hubby repaired it. They were around $23.00 each.....sooooo much cheaper than a repair shop.
  • Hi, I did forget to mention that I had Electrical AC connected as in doing so tried to eliminate a battery issue. So with only battery or AC electrical power is struggles the same.
    Thanks
  • The next time you bring in the slides, connect the electrical power cord into the truck with the engine running and then try to bring the slide in.
  • I s your battery fully charged?? How old is the battery?? Are your battery connections clean and tight??