Slides

[Wiesehan]

I am on my third Montana and "exercise" my slides two times per month that we are living in the coach. I see a lot of folks that don't bring their slides in for the entire season. My question is what if any undesireably things happen if slides are not exercised for extended periods of time?
Thanks,
Don

[JimF]

Leave mine out for as long as 6 months at a time, no ill effects so far. We used to exercise them and found no benefit after a couple of years so we quit. Right wrong or otherwise, thats what we do. We also full time.

[ols1932]

Ours were out for 16 months straight while I was recovering from back surgery and we couldn't move. No ill effects. I think exercising the slides is an old wives tale (no offense intended for old wives).

Orv

[Art-n-Marge]

This is one of those things dealers and service techs can use to make a warranty problem "your fault". The book recommends you exercise them but I don't recall the frequency, but every couple of weeks sounds about right. My book also recommends using the slide supports, too - why don't they just supply them if it's this important?

It's my opinion there are many factors to consider testing the slides. They provide their recommendations based on the worst case. For example, if you and your spouse are both 450 lbs or more, and only sit in one slide area and you live in Northern Canada, you might need to "test" the slides more often than someone else. It will depend on how much maintenance you want to follow. I lube the slide movements regularly and treat the rubber on a regular basis. I am only a some-timer so the slides are not extended for very long periods of time. So I don't worry about it as much.

As JimF and Orv have mentioned above, pick your interval. Just continue educating yourself by posting for comments and experiences from others, to get to your comfort level. Me, being a some-timer just happen to bring slides in and out more often than a full timer. This might change as my Monty habits change. I think the ultimate goal is to keep making sure things are working right.

Hopefully many others will provide comments so you can feel more comfortable about what you decide to do.

[exav8tr]

I sat last year in Florida for 5 months and did not exercise my slides, however, I did exercise my legs everyday (Walking our new dog), no ill effects from either. We will be here in Texas for about 5 mos and will exercise them once as we need to go in for some wiring, have not seen any problems with not exercising them so often.

[richfaa]

Slides out for 6 months in Florida..No problems.

Wait, wait.. I can't pass up the chance to say this....."been doing it for years and never had a problem..."

[2golfers]

Slides out for 9 months, no problem, they get exercised in between assignments when traveling on the road. As for old wives tales...I won't go there!

[Mudchief]

The operation of any cylinder keeps the shaft and outer seal lubed. Otherwise the shaft could pit and eat the seal out. This would take a while unless you are near the ocean and the good ole salt. The outer seal could dry out and start to leak. Myself I don't worry about this unless I was near the ocean then I would spray them with WD40 on a regular basis.

[Wiesehan]

Thanks for all your input. I think I won't worry about this issue any longer and just leave them out and enjoy the season here in Hill Country TX for the rest of the winter!!
Don