Slide out supports

[N1538sv35]

i have a toy hauler with three slide outs. I plan to park it for the summer and will leave the slide outs extended. Should I put some kind of supports under the slide outs? If so, what do you suggest?

[NC_Hauler]

fj12ryder wrote:
Did you see the word "most"? That means more than half, but not everyone. Don't be so quick to take umbrage.

You actually saw a reason not to have them. Most detractors have not, some are simply regurgitating what they've read, and others are giving opinions not based on actual observances.

FWIW I don't feel they're necessary either.

My apologies sir, didn't mean to upset you, no umbrage taken.

[fj12ryder]

"99% of the weight is supported molding around the inside."

That's supposed to make me feel better, what with the way these things are constructed? 🙂

I actually thought that most of the weight was supported by the bars underneath. Live and learn.

[rhagfo]

If you understand how a slide-out is supported it helps. While some have slide bars, 99% of the weight is supported molding around the inside. I also have a 14' supper slide 14+6+6=26' so if I could get four 200# people out there that is only 31# per foot what the wall is supporting.

[fj12ryder]

Did you see the word "most"? That means more than half, but not everyone. Don't be so quick to take umbrage.

You actually saw a reason not to have them. Most detractors have not, some are simply regurgitating what they've read, and others are giving opinions not based on actual observances.

FWIW I don't feel they're necessary either.

[NC_Hauler]

fj12ryder wrote:
Most of the negative comments about slide supports are not based on actual usage, since nobody uses them. Most are speculative reflections on what could happen in certain circumstances. Most common is that if a tire went flat the difference in height could cause damage to your slide.

We owned a 2003 Montana Big Sky and they recommended using a slide support if you were stationary with the slides extended for long periods. That is the only trailer I know of that recommended slide supports.

I don't feel the need for them, unless the residents are extremely obese individuals, which could theoretically put an excessive strain on the slide-out.

IMO you can safely forego the slide supports.

What I saw wasn't "speculation", it's been some years back and I've posted on this same topic with this illustration before....wife even took a picture of it, though I have no clue where that picture might be at this time....no reason for me to lie about it....Thus the reason I reported out on that ONE possibility..

Again, simplest anwer to the OP's question is for them to call the manufacturer and ask the one's that designed and manufactured the OP's unit...a simple phone call and they'll know.

I personally don't think they're needed and they're a waste of money.

[the_bear_II]

Our 5th wheel has a superslide out; 14 ft long X 4 ft deep. It holds a sofa and desk plus dining table and 4 chairs. We stay for 3 to 4 months with the slide out extended and no supports. We often have as many as 8 people sitting in the slideout.

It still works as well as it did when new 20 years ago when we bought the 5th wheel.

[fj12ryder]

Most of the negative comments about slide supports are not based on actual usage, since nobody uses them. Most are speculative reflections on what could happen in certain circumstances. Most common is that if a tire went flat the difference in height could cause damage to your slide.

We owned a 2003 Montana Big Sky and they recommended using a slide support if you were stationary with the slides extended for long periods. That is the only trailer I know of that recommended slide supports.

I don't feel the need for them, unless the residents are extremely obese individuals, which could theoretically put an excessive strain on the slide-out.

IMO you can safely forego the slide supports.

[NC_Hauler]

I would think if manufacturers had meant for the slides to be supported, they would have included them in the sell so you could pay more. Lot's of pro's and con's on this...ie, if you put supports under the slide and if slide is on the side where a tire "might" go flat, then you're pushing upward on the slide, force that wasn't meant to be there...saw that first hand in a campground where it looked like campers had rented a space for a season (?), no one there, three slides, all with supports underneath them and a flat tire, one slide was being pushed upward in an unnatural looking position due to the tire being flat...tire in front appeared to be ok, but low, it HAD to have done some damage to the slide.

I know there are quite a few manufacturers out there that DON'T recommend slide supports. Your very best bet would be to call the manufacturer and get your answer, "straight from the horses mouth" just to be safe....only cost you a phone call...well worth it to make sure you're doing the right thing and not possibly damaging your 5er's slide unit's

[LynnandCarol]

they do more harm than good is the overall consensus in past posts. utilize the search function for numerous discussions!