Are slideout lock bars important?

[neoflyer]

I have a 2005 Holiday Rambler Ambassador. Each of the front slideouts has an adjustable bar to be placed between the wall and one corner of the slideout trim so the slide won't move to the out position while underway. Is the bar really necessary? My fear is forgetting to remove it and hitting the slide extension switch then hearing a loud crack as the upper corner of the slide is destroyed.

[dougrainer]

wa8yxm wrote:
Your Fear is you will forget to remove it (Been there, Done that, No major damage, Have had to replace the odd shear pin)

My Fear is that the slide will extend when I make a right turn (Why I insert lock bar)

When Parked, as I am now, I store the lock bar inside the steering wheel (It stands up on the floor) makes it very hard to forget cause it is in the way of driving,, I also have a "STOP" sign for the antenna (Used to be called an Antenna Saver, I think they are back to making them now). It clips on either the wheel, or the ignition key.

Slide rooms cannot just roll out in a turn or such. A malfunctioning room may extend a few inches, but that is about the full extend they will go. IF YOU CANNOT PUSH IT OUT FROM THE INSIDE, THEN IT WILL NOT ROLL OUT OR EXTEND TOO MUCH WHILE TRAVELING TO CAUSE A HAZARD. Doug

[dougrainer]

bsinmich wrote:
My MH has a little women that reminds me to check slide locks and chairs for clearance with a 5 sec. delay. I would like to meet her some time.

Yes, but the problem is--like a nagging woman, Newmar owners tune her out and do not release the manual locks and then have bent lock arms and a slide out of alignment. Doug

[wa8yxm]

Your Fear is you will forget to remove it (Been there, Done that, No major damage, Have had to replace the odd shear pin)

My Fear is that the slide will extend when I make a right turn (Why I insert lock bar)

When Parked, as I am now, I store the lock bar inside the steering wheel (It stands up on the floor) makes it very hard to forget cause it is in the way of driving,, I also have a "STOP" sign for the antenna (Used to be called an Antenna Saver, I think they are back to making them now). It clips on either the wheel, or the ignition key.

[tmmar]

I had several problems with one of my slides (hydraulic) where one of the gears in the room mechanism kept breaking teeth and the slide wouldn't work. After several 'fixes' by local dealers, I went back to the factory and they had a manufacturers rep come and fix it. It had been fine but while traveling with my family my son and his wife were seated at the dinette and said they saw the slides flexing in and out at the top as we traveled. I started using the slide locks after that because I didn't want to put more stress on the slide mechanism and possibly have it fail again. JMHO.

[Effy]

I think it depends on the coach and type of slide motors. Some have built in locks, some don't. If it makes you feel better and you have them, why not? If you don't have them and the slide has never wandered out then I doubt you need it.

[valhalla360]

Never bothered with ours and they haven't ever shown signs of coming open.

But, I wouldn't worry too much about damage if you forget to remove them. There should be a limit switch or breaker that will stop the slide out motor if it meets too much resistance.

I know because we had the breaker going bad and if you gently pushed, the slide would go in and out but otherwise the strain was too much and the breaker would trip. With a new breaker, it can still trip but takes a more force (but I don't think it would be enough to damage anything)

[RonaldNC]

My manual indicates that they are to be used if there is a problem with the hydraulic systems... that's why they supply them. In fact, Monaco only supplied one bar... even though I have four slides. I understand that other brands/models may differ.

I had to use them once and you need to be careful where you attach the bar to your slide. Unfortunately, when I had a blown seal on my ram, I used the bar and attached it to the inside edge of the slide... and it ripped the trim off the slide! Mine has a small metal ridge on the side of the slide (very strong) where the bar is supposed to be attached... lesson learned!

Ron

[Bumpyroad]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
The MFG. supplied them

That is reason enough to use them.


Use them.

x2
bumpy

[bsinmich]

My MH has a little women that reminds me to check slide locks and chairs for clearance with a 5 sec. delay. I would like to meet her some time.

[OhhWell]

I haven't and have never had a problem but... I really should use one. I have a hydraulic ram powered slide and the manual does say it is susceptible to slide creep. I guess the valve could go bad and let fluid into the ram.

Our coach has a key that must be used at the slide control panel to operate the slide motor. If I do start using a slide lock, I will attach the key to the slide lock on a hook or something.

[dougrainer]

If supplied by the OEM, then they are required to be used.
1. Some are used to help keep the room from vibrating in transit(making squeaking noises)
2. Some are used to keep the room from slightly extending in transit
3. Some are used to pull the TOP of the slide in tight for a weather tight seal(Newmar in particular), but other brands as well. Doug

[rgatijnet1]

A little flap over the switch will remind you to remove them before activating the slide. The locks have a good reason to be there but whether or not you want to use them is up to you.
There have been quite a few posts on this forum about slides creeping out while cruising down the highway so the choice is yours.

[fcooper]

My slide is electric motor/gear driven. The original owner nor I ever use the locks and the slide has never moved.

Fred

[Tom_Barb]

Ours are built in over center locking arms, we always use them.

[SCVJeff]

Can't speak for what Monaco does, but my slides are hydraulic. If that slide comes out in a "turn", it's only because I'm in a roll and the hydraulic lines have been severed. As for stopping the slide from coming out if the pump comes on, that ain't gonna happen either. Trying to stop a hydraulic ram with a strap or pole brace will do nothing to stop it.