Extending Slides

[ROYBUCK]

I want to Extend my Dining room slide to take some pictures getting ready to replace the carpet. I know what the procedure is for extending my slides, will it hurt anything if I extend the one slide temporary it is setting on hard pavement with the jacks extended and the air dumped, I don't want to start it up just to build the air up. Roy

[Daytonaman]

This leveling hubub with air bag Monaco equipment is always confusing. My approach is to make sure the chassis is dead flat and level b4 extending any slides. That way all openings are square, so nothing binds. It is true that as the slides extend, the coach might lean, but I just manually re-level. My plan is not to operate the slides at any time in or out in an un-level condition.
I would dump and re-level only if the site were level. If I need to get the unit low, then I would only dump until the highest bag was bottomed out.

[uncle_t]

I follow Monaco's recommendation to extend,dump air, level. I don't know about other chassis makes but the roadmaster frame twists and tweaks considerably when leveled on an unlevel surface. the reveal on the storage cab doors is noticeably off. I assume Monaco engineers felt it better not to put out a slide if the hole it was in ain't square anymore.

[WILDEBILL308]

ROYBUCK,
Do you have an air compressor where you store your coach? You could air up the system with the air compressor using the fitting in front that the tow truck would use.
Bill

[Mr_Mark1]

Executive wrote:
It's a Monaco product...Monaco says the air bags must be full before extending the slides....that said, it's up to you whether you want to follow those instructions...it's your coach...Mine, I fill before extending cuz I figure some engineer knows more than I do or they wouldn't waste the time putting it in the manual.....just sayin....Dennis

I agree with you Dennis. But, I had the coach un-level when I pulled it out of my storage garage to have it washed. The coach was leaning towards the driver's side when I put out the slides (airbags full). The living room pivoting slide got tweaked when i tried to pull it back in after the wash. I took it to Redlands Performance and RV repair (these guys are awesome), the tech told me to level first then extend or retract the slides.

It goes against what Monaco recommends but these guys make all kinds of repairs all the time. When I saw the slide start to mess up, I stopped it immediately and left it sticking out about 4 inches. I drove 80 miles to Redlands for them to fix it.

All it needed was an adjustment and the tech said that it was a good idea that I stopped it when I did or I could have damaged the fiberglass. He also told me as part of regular maintenance, I should have it adjusted once a year.

That is the only slide that pivots, all the others move straight out.

So, against Monaco's rule, I will level first then extend the slides.

MM.

[Lobstah]

Pretty sure that your slide will fall out, the engine will blow next time you start it, and all tires will go flat.
TVs and microwave will also be shot, and left rear brake light will fail.

🙂 🙂 🙂

You'll be fine...especially since this is a one-time deal?...but out of curiosity, how long does it take you to air up?

Jim

[JimM68]

While I'd never ever question the Manufacturers guidelines, after all they do know their product best, they built it...

Monaco's guidelines with their Roadmaster chassis RV's, in all their lines including Holiday Rambler, were always: park. Extend. Dump. Level.

This is one of those instances where the guidelines on the OP's particular coach are best answered by people familiar with that make.

that said, I do routinely extend and retract the slides on my 08 Monaco DP with the jacks extended (and of course the air dumped.)

It doesn't seem to make a difference. The slides open and close normally. Nothing "catches" or acts like it doesn't line up. Where we are now, stored for the winter on the jacks, I'll run the slides out when I'm out there, and run em back in when I leave.

[AllegroD]

I'd say to make sure you are fairly level first.

[peaches_cream]

Executive wrote:
It's a Monaco product...Monaco says the air bags must be full before extending the slides....that said, it's up to you whether you want to follow those instructions...it's your coach...Mine, I fill before extending cuz I figure some engineer knows more than I do or they wouldn't waste the time putting it in the manual.....just sayin....Dennis

Why would anyone follow the manuf. guidelines. You know they don't have a clue what they are talking about. :S

[wa8yxm]

I never have the engine running and air up when I extend slides... But then I do not have air bags.

The instructions are: "Level with jacks, then slide the slides" on my rig.

Some companies say level last.. I disagree with that advice.

Go right ahead and do as you plan.. I anticipate no problem save those normally associated with replacing carpeting.. A job that is all but guaranteed to expand your vocabulary in teh )@(#$)(@&#*)!@ Division.

[Executive45]

It's a Monaco product...Monaco says the air bags must be full before extending the slides....that said, it's up to you whether you want to follow those instructions...it's your coach...Mine, I fill before extending cuz I figure some engineer knows more than I do or they wouldn't waste the time putting it in the manual.....just sayin....Dennis

[rvten]

They have them extended on dealers lots. With no jacks down.

[BigSkyBob]

You can extend 1,2,3 or 4 slides without incident. Good luck with your carpet.