Slider advice

[tadpole54]

My 1st time posting. My wife and I are looking to buy a used 5ver this winter. What slider systems are the most reliable to your experiences?
In addition, we are on a fulltime spot April - October. Should I leave them out, retract after each visit (15-18 times), or just move in-out periodically? Thanks.

[Old-Biscuit]

'Vulcaneer'

Tried to send you a PM but was not allowed------:(

[tadpole54]

Yeah O-B. You're probably right. Our concern was whether slides hold up to that much action. Seems it is not the concern we thought it might be.

Thanks to all for the feedback. It's helpful.

[Vulcaneer]

old guy wrote:
It always amazes me when some one can't see or hasn't seen something happen such as the cables eating through the walls of a slide out and when things get out of alignment. guys like vulcaneer need to get out more often and see what the rest of the world is really like other than just new england. things do and will happen, remember if it's man made it is subject to failure. so vulcaneer you can WTF all you want just pay attention.

Well here is my problem. The cables attach to the walls of the slide out. They don't pass through the walls off the slide out. So tell me again how they can be "eating through the walls of a slide out?" And they jump out of the holes in the slide to do that?

Now I can see how they might rub on the walls of the trailer. And if left out of adjustment, they might wear the sides of the holes (in the trailer walls) they pass through. But this is if mis-aligned or left unmaintained. But cable rubbing was an issue on a few early versions, before manufacturers were more diligent about positioning the cables, and pulleys. Not so much in modern units.

So I guess, if that is what your are referring to, I'll have to say that it may have happened. But it is not at all a widespread problem.

old guy wrote:
one bad thing about cable slides is they will jump out of the holes going into the slides and will eat through the walls of the slide. see it on a few units we worked on

I actually own a trailer with cable slides. The biggest problem is most RV tech's have not been trained on how to correctly adjust or align them.

[Old-Biscuit]

tadpole54 wrote:
I think we're sold on the toppers. Still contemplating the slides-in slides-out question.

IT only takes a few minutes to retract all the slides.
IF you are not going to be at the RV for a period of time......close them up.
In other words.......Why Not??

[tadpole54]

I think we're sold on the toppers. Still contemplating the slides-in slides-out question.

[ScottG]

I wouldn't rule out any RV based on what slide technology they use. They are all very reliable.

As far as toppers are concerned, I installed one to keep the sun off the top of the slide. Since that roof is only a couple of inches thic, an enourmous amount of heat came through it when the sun shined directly on it. After the topper the TT was noticeably easier to keep cool.

[Paul_Clancy]

Here we go again. On the question of slide toppers it's pretty simple
Advantages
Keep rain sun and tree debris off slide roof. This helps avoid slide roof leaks and drawing debris and water into the rig when pulling in to depart without the need to go onto roof and sweep which is especially dangerous on a wet roof and if raining you will still be drawing in water if no topper. Also helps rig remain cooler in summer sun.
Disadvantages
Cost. Can be some flapping noise in large wind storms but rarely will rip unless already worn. I've only experienced this once on the Pacifica cal coast. Ocean front site. Wind rocking rig was far more bothersome than the flapping. No rips. Never heard flapping otherwise.

[old_guy]

It always amazes me when some one can't see or hasn't seen something happen such as the cables eating through the walls of a slide out and when things get out of alignment. guys like vulcaneer need to get out more often and see what the rest of the world is really like other than just new england. things do and will happen, remember if it's man made it is subject to failure. so vulcaneer you can WTF all you want just pay attention.

[shadows4]

laknox wrote:

tadpole54 wrote:
My 1st time posting. My wife and I are looking to buy a used 5ver this winter. What slider systems are the most reliable to your experiences?
In addition, we are on a fulltime spot April - October. Should I leave them out, retract after each visit (15-18 times), or just move in-out periodically? Thanks.

Mine is an electric rack and pinion system. Never had a problem with it; works as it's supposed to, every time. The only issue I've had, had nothing to do with the slide system, but with the seals. I was having some minor leaking issues and resolved it by putting some self-stick weather seal around the inside of the inner flange. As far as whether to leave the slides in or out, I'd be inclined to put them in when I'm not in residence and out when I am. That's just me...

Lyle

X2 I have had two with the electric slides. No problems with either. First one did not have a topper and had leaves and such get under the seals and cause some minor leaking. Cleaned them up and that fixed the leaking. Present 5er has a topper and I love it. Roof of slide still looks new. Never really had them make noise as I have heard they are prone to do when the wind blows.
And I would pull them when I left if I was on a permanent site. Good luck, John

[laknox]

tadpole54 wrote:
My 1st time posting. My wife and I are looking to buy a used 5ver this winter. What slider systems are the most reliable to your experiences?
In addition, we are on a fulltime spot April - October. Should I leave them out, retract after each visit (15-18 times), or just move in-out periodically? Thanks.

Mine is an electric rack and pinion system. Never had a problem with it; works as it's supposed to, every time. The only issue I've had, had nothing to do with the slide system, but with the seals. I was having some minor leaking issues and resolved it by putting some self-stick weather seal around the inside of the inner flange. As far as whether to leave the slides in or out, I'd be inclined to put them in when I'm not in residence and out when I am. That's just me...

Lyle

[tadpole54]

Thanks for sharing that Vulcaneer!

[Vulcaneer]

We have slide toppers. Have only had a need to clean off the slide roof a couple times in like 12 years. Generally from pine needles blowing under them. But when I did need to clean the slide roof off, I closed the slide. And stood on a step stool on the inside of the trailer. And brushed them into a dust pan.

Just isn't a big deal.

[tadpole54]

The slide topper subject has come up as we began to look at buying again. My wife feels leaving the slides out all season contributed led the water damage we eventually experienced on the inside ceiling of the living room slide. Therefore thinking of having toppers. There is no way to roll up to clean the roof while slide is out?

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Most folks agree that the Open Range line is a quality group of 5ers.

And it appears that all their slides are cable.

I questioned a dealer about them while on one of my dozens of looking visits. They told me they cable slides were very good - they didn't have any trouble with them compared to some of the slides on their Winnebago motor homes.