another newbie question:)I just noticed in my manual ( for 2008 Everest) that it says that slide outs should be "actuated" once or twice a week during extended periods.I left the slide outs open all summer without knowing and I have close them now and they seem to work fine.Does anyone know the explanation as to why that is important?thanksHere is the exact text from the manualRooms that will be extended for long periods of time should be actuated 1-2 times a week.

first i've heard of that. could be cover-our-behind language.

Works just like your mother told you about crossing your eyes - if you do that too long, they might stay that way! Exercising the slide out can't hurt and probably keeps them from sticking.

Helps keeps the debris (tree sap, bird poop, etc) from building up and sticking to the slideout roof. If you don't have a slideout topper and leave the slideout extended for a long period be sure to clean the roof before pulling it in.

I think it's just common sense to occasionally activate any type of mechanism. If for no other reason than to let you know it's working and not seized. Sometime you may have to leave quickly, it's nice to know you can retract the slide without any problems.But that's just me. I know some people think that if your car, generator, snow blower, or anything mechanical is working when you put it in the garage it will work normally after sitting for a year or two.The few minutes it takes to activate the slide may save you from grief in the future.

To keep the slide seals from adhering to the slide. Rubber seals/gaskets can "bond" and then tear loose. Also, to make the mechanism work a few times. If NOT using the RV leave the rooms retracted. IF the slides fail to retract, HOW do you get the RV in for service? Better to have the slides fail retracted. Doug

slide out question when fifth wheel is parked for the summer

sgfrye
Explorer
Oct 18, 2019
gbopp wrote:
I think it's just common sense to occasionally activate any type of mechanism. If for no other reason than to let you know it's working and not seized.
Sometime you may have to leave quickly, it's nice to know you can retract the slide without any problems.

But that's just me. I know some people think that if your car, generator, snow blower, or anything mechanical is working when you put it in the garage it will work normally after sitting for a year or two.

The few minutes it takes to activate the slide may save you from grief in the future.

best common sense post of the week
nykolas
Explorer
Oct 18, 2019
what is the best way to "condition the seals"

Thanks:)
dougrainer
Nomad
Oct 18, 2019
doxiemom11 wrote:
We don't put our slides in and out unless we are moving. Have sat for 4-6 mo multiple times over the past 9 years of full-timing and have never had a problem. We have full awnings over the slides, keep the rv clean and condition the seals.

"keep the rv clean and condition the seals".

Bingo, There is a difference between doing NOTHING and doing something. But, a blind hog will find the acorn. Just because YOU have had a run of good luck, is not the best advice to give to the majority. I WORK on RV's and have for 40 years. MY advice is based on having to deal with those people that do NOT exercise their RV's regularly, especially the slide rooms. Doug
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2019
We don't put our slides in and out unless we are moving. Have sat for 4-6 mo multiple times over the past 9 years of full-timing and have never had a problem. We have full awnings over the slides, keep the rv clean and condition the seals.
dougrainer
Nomad
Oct 17, 2019
azdryheat wrote:
There's folks living in their RV's and the slides never come in.

Ignorance is a hard lesson sometimes. Doug
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Oct 17, 2019
gbopp wrote:
azdryheat wrote:
There's folks living in their RV's and the slides never come in.

I guess we all view common sense in a different way.

Wonder what will happen if thev evwr do retract the slides?
gbopp
Explorer
Oct 17, 2019
azdryheat wrote:
There's folks living in their RV's and the slides never come in.

I guess we all view common sense in a different way.
azdryheat
Explorer
Oct 17, 2019
There's folks living in their RV's and the slides never come in.
JRscooby
Explorer II
Oct 17, 2019
gbopp wrote:

But that's just me. I know some people think that if your car, generator, snow blower, or anything mechanical is working when you put it in the garage it will work normally after sitting for a year or two.

Dealing with trucks, I was always surprised by the number of owners that thought of trucks same as mules. A big job about to start, it is a emergency to fix the trucks. A sick mule, you can put it in a pasture, and it might get well, or it might die. But a truck in the pasture, it might die, but will never get well.
dougrainer
Nomad
Oct 17, 2019
To keep the slide seals from adhering to the slide. Rubber seals/gaskets can "bond" and then tear loose. Also, to make the mechanism work a few times. If NOT using the RV leave the rooms retracted. IF the slides fail to retract, HOW do you get the RV in for service? Better to have the slides fail retracted. Doug