cable onslide out?

[jffnkrn]

Looking at the slide out on newer fifth wheels, they have a cable that is exposed on the outside of them. I am guessing the manufacture has got this thing down pat, but anyone else have a thought. How well do they hold up? Problems from being exposed to the elements? My little slide on my existing trailer has basically a gear and track underneath. Thanks for the input, info etc. Jeff

[Raymon]

I had the cable system on 2 slides in a class A motor home. Never again. Nothing but a headache. Very difficult to find technicians that were knowledgeable in repairing/adjusting them. Previously, I posted details of all my problems. There are a total of 8 cables per slide; 4 to pull the slide out and 4 to pull the slide in. Just my opinion, but from an engineering standpoint, I think it is a nightmare.

Ray

[Jack_Diane_Free]

A also have an Open Range with 3 cable slide outs with never a problem for the last 4 years. What I like is the entire mechanism and slide motor etc. is above the slide out, inside the unit totally protected from weather and dirt. I see no problem with them.

I had a Mobile Suites with hydraulic and nothing but problems. Replaced rams a couple of times, inoperative front legs, slides creeping out while in transit and replaced hydraulic pump motor and lots of hydraulic leaks. Never again will I have hydraulic.

The cable slides are so simple there is not much to go wrong.

[RustyJC]

I sincerely doubt the current cable-operated slideout systems have much in common with the ones from 3 decades ago. Those of us who have the modern systems, if you read the posts above, have reported reliable service. Whether you would buy one or not is certainly your choice, but personally (and I'm no novice at RVing myself) I wouldn't base my decision on a design from the 1980s.

I don't know that I would want them on my large, heavy flush-floor slides that have to be lifted by the slideout mechanism when they retract (as I said, those slideouts have hydraulic rams), but the cable operated slideouts seem to function just fine when properly applied.

Rusty

[spadoctor]

The cable slide system was the first to hit the market end of the 80's and it was a nightmare. I still will not buy a rig with the cable system as it is still not as good as the ram system. They claim they use aviation cable for the system . Having been around vintage planes for many years I have not seen cables fail as easily as the ones on the slides. JMHO after rving over 35 years.

[schlep1967]

My 09 Open Range has cable slides. Before Open Range started using them you only found them on more expensive coaches. Like most mechanical systems they only continue to work if you take care of them. Most of that is simple observation. Read the instructions and keep an eye on the tightness of the cables. If they get too loose you can have problems. Adjustment is not that difficult. If a cable gets frayed it need replaced. We camp very often and have never had a cable fray. We did have one stretch beyond available adjustment. Simple disconnect of the cable and added a clamp to the folded over end to shorten the cable. You can also buy a cable replacement kit to carry in your unit. It will take up about 1/2" x 8" x 8". Try storing one hydraulic hose or hydraulic ram in that space.

[Allworth]

You can Google "BAL Accuslide" and read all about it.

I have two gear drive big slides and a cable operated bedroom closet/washer-dryer closet and have never had a problem. I carry a spare cable since there have been reports of the "button" that is swagged onto the outer end of the cable may sometimes pop off. I have never needed it although looking at the video it seems that replacement is fairly simple with the right tools.

[dbbls]

My trailer has one slide that is cable operated, the other two are hydraulic. The cable works fine and the cables are not affected by the weather. I have never seen one with a frayed cable. If it is frayed it will soon break. These cables are big and I don't see how one would break unless it was severely abused.

[RustyJC]

Our Mobile Suites uses the cable-driven slideouts for the 2 smaller bedroom slides - these are not flush-floor slides but just move straight out and in, so the loading is minimal. They have been trouble-free, and I've seen no reports of problems on the DRV SOITC forum.

The 2 larger flush-floor slideouts are hydraulic, which is probably preferred for the loading they encounter.

Rusty

[guidry]

Have them on my Open Range. Other than one motor going out that was easily fixed in ten minutes, I haven't had any problems in the two years of ownership. Had an electric slide out on a prior small TT that never gave me a problem other than it being slow. Don't know anything about the hydraulic slide out problems other than issues I've read on this forum.

[Charlie_D_]

Wouldn't have one. I have also "heard" stories of problems with them. When in a campground I will often look at slides. I see some with frayed cable and a number of them have torn wipers where the cable has cut them.

[waltbennett]

Those cables are the latest 'better' slide mechanism. Since ours are all hydraulic, I can't speak from personal experience, but have read quite a few posts from folks that have had problems with them. Maybe they're lighter, but I'd think the reason the industry is going with them has only to do with cost. (And I'm usually an optimistic sort of person!)