Slide Binding Up

[eimac99]

Our 2014 Arctic Fox 1140 has developed a problem with the slide. When it is on the truck it works fine, but when it is on the ground, the slide starts going out at an angle, makes a grinding noise and presses against the valance over the back window.
We called the dealership and were told that this is a problem they have seen in TC's with the big slides - the weight of the slide distorts and twists the camper. We were told to use the jacks to shift the weight of the camper slightly to one side and the problem should stop. Then once the slide is out, to relevel the camper.

It worked, but we are not happy about this. Is this really a common problem or do we have something seriously wrong and the dealer just wants to get us to go away. We are in Florida so there are no Arctic Fox dealers anywhere near us-- drove to Oregon to pick it up.

[kerry4951]

eimac99 wrote:
We are inclined to agree with you and, as much as we hate to do it, will probably try to sell it "as is"
We had a Lance before and will get another. I wish they made a non slide long bed TC.

We can mostly all agree that RV dealers lack in many areas, mainly their service arenas. But living in Florida you should have a decent selection of RV dealers who could fix that slide out. Try finding an independent RV repair center who wont condemn you for not buying their product and see if they can fix your problem. Certainly there is some place within the state that is capable of making your repair. You probably have a Power Gear slide out assembly that is common in many other RVs, not just AF.

[FireGuard]

When I had my Lance 981 I had the same issue.
I don't think anything is wrong with your camper, it just has to be leveled. It's binding because the camper is wracked.
If it works fine when on the truck or when level off, I wouldn't worry.
If you're sellling "as is" for a big price reduction, I'll bet you will have many takers.

[eimac99]

We are inclined to agree with you and, as much as we hate to do it, will probably try to sell it "as is"
We had a Lance before and will get another. I wish they made a non slide long bed TC.

[SlideInDad]

eimac99 wrote:
Our 2014 Arctic Fox 1140 has developed a problem with the slide. When it is on the truck it works fine, but when it is on the ground, the slide starts going out at an angle, makes a grinding noise and presses against the valance over the back window.
We called the dealership and were told that this is a problem they have seen in TC's with the big slides - the weight of the slide distorts and twists the camper. We were told to use the jacks to shift the weight of the camper slightly to one side and the problem should stop. Then once the slide is out, to relevel the camper.

It worked, but we are not happy about this. Is this really a common problem or do we have something seriously wrong and the dealer just wants to get us to go away. We are in Florida so there are no Arctic Fox dealers anywhere near us-- drove to Oregon to pick it up.

I had a 2003 AF 1150 that I had this exact same problem with and the BS you got was exact same I got. Mine was binding bad enough that it ripped one of the lug screws for the slide rams right out of the camper. Dealer did show me and was able to operate the slide fine with jacks tilting it off level but my issue was once leveled again the slide would settle back and there was actually an air gap between the rubber seal and the back top corner. I was told that on these full wall slides they can twist and warp, probably a factor of not kiln drying would before building them. Would have thought the move to aluminum framed campers would have solved that though.

For the past 8 years I've had a Lance 861 where only the dinette slides out thank god, that experience with the AF was aweful. Best of luck. Seems some things never change.

[brholt]

X2

[kerry4951]

From one AF 1140 owner to another, your slide should work well both on the truck and when off the truck, assuming that your are relatively level. Your dealer, like so many of them, is blowing hot air. AF as well as many other RV manufacturers use full wall slide outs and if mounted properly they should work well. My guess is that you have some adjustments to make, and more than likely your dealer doesnt know how to do them. You should not have to jack things up and down to make a slide out work properly. Mine has been used extensively over the past 5 1/2 years with no problems. The slide out on my previous motorhome was twice as long as my AF slide out and it too always worked perfectly. If your slide worked well previously, but not now, then something got moved and needs to be readjusted.

[billtex]

MrPhelps wrote:
I used to have a similar problem with mine. It only happened when the camper was not leveled property before the slide was deployed. Mine did same thing, usually when a back jack was incorrectly positioned. It also only occurred on my large slide (I have 2). Don't think you should get to upset, the frame simply got flexed a little to much.

Just work on your technique and it probably won't happen anymore.

I would tend to agree with this. Be sure the jacks are equally loaded also...IOW; once you are unloaded, be sure they all have weight on them. The jacks don't all move at the same speed.
Once I get mine unloaded and level. I walk around and eyeball one jack/time and tap the remote and see if the leg and the corner of the camper BOTH move. Just because a leg is down does not mean is it has the same preload as the others. If the jack and camper move at the same rate...you can be pretty sure the jack is fully loaded.
I would also ask; have you lubed the slides?
As you indicated the slide works fine on the truck, it does appear to be a levelling issue.

Good luck, Bill

[davidaf]

Happened on my lance once when off the truck. Put it on the truck to at least get moved and the slide went right in.

[jimh406]

I would call Arctic Fox.

[Gripnriprod]

We have a 2011 AF 1140. Haven't had this problem however we have had two rollers come loose. It didn't happen at the same time. Fortunately the rollers ended up on the floor when they fell out. They could have fallen out of sight. Wasn't too hard to reinstall. Try putting the slide out about two-thirds and look up under the slide. you should be able to see the tracks and the rollers. They are about an inch in diameter and held in place with 1/4" nuts.

The point is, if one of the rollers fell off, that could be affecting the slides movement. Just a thought.

[eimac99]

I'm glad it's not just us, but we have had the camper for over a year and this just started happening this week. Took it from Florida to Vancouver Island and back, why now?

[the_bear_II]

Flexing is common. The camper needs to be supported properly and level to prevent flexing.

[MrPhelps]

I used to have a similar problem with mine. It only happened when the camper was not leveled property before the slide was deployed. Mine did same thing, usually when a back jack was incorrectly positioned. It also only occurred on my large slide (I have 2). Don't think you should get to upset, the frame simply got flexed a little to much.

Just work on your technique and it probably won't happen anymore.