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Old 07-10-2020, 08:28 PM   #1
Dee_Dub
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Slides in or out

When you connect your trailer to your tow vehicle do you ever have your slides out.
Yes - It's important - Why
No - Doesn't matter
 
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Old 07-10-2020, 08:30 PM   #2
DadsHemi
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Yes all the time, is it important idk it’s just part of my check list
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Old 07-10-2020, 08:45 PM   #3
RKassl
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Always in, you don't want to stress any of the frame components.
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Old 07-10-2020, 09:34 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RKassl View Post
Always in, you don't want to stress any of the frame components.


^^^^This. When I connect TV I'm getting ready to go; not trying to see how much weight I can shift inside or stress I can cause on the RV. Do you open them up before you disconnect and level?
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Old 07-10-2020, 10:49 PM   #5
Dam Worker
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Wow interesting question with even more interesting answers. I have hooked my RV up with the slide/slides in and out. More importantly for those worried about stressing the frame you should also ask if they ever put the slides out while hooked up to the tow vehicle. Another question could be can you use the auto level/auto/manual with the slides out.
For me usually the bedroom slide is in but depending on if we have finished loading the unit the two living room/kitchen slides can be open or closed. One other question could be does anyone use accessory jacks under the rear end of the unit after leveling is complete.
It will be interesting to see the answers.

Tom Marty
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Old 07-11-2020, 05:58 AM   #6
jeffba
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schwintek slides have pretty tight tolerances. Always in
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Old 07-11-2020, 06:19 AM   #7
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Big slides go in or out when the landing gear is down. i run the bedroom slide ether hooked or landing gear is down electric cable slide on that one.
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Old 07-11-2020, 07:05 AM   #8
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My routine is to put the slides in before I disconnect the electricity and before I hook up. If we're traveling I might put the bedroom slide out and not the others and leave the truck hooked up. Never have left the slides out and then hooked up. I no need to do that and IMHO there is no reason to stress the slides and possibly mess with the alignment.
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Old 07-11-2020, 07:21 AM   #9
Jeff n Susan
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I have always moved the slides out after I level, and before I hook up. I see no need in stressing anything that is not necessary. The only time I move them any other time is if we are traveling and I absolutely must get somewhere inside.
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Old 07-11-2020, 07:25 AM   #10
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Even on our last 32 foot trailer we had two large slides and the manufacturer recommended to operate the slides only when the trailer was level so we put them in before we hookup and take them out after we unhook and level the rig.

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Old 07-11-2020, 08:12 AM   #11
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Ditto what others have said..............always IN prior to hooking up the kingpin to the truck hitch to avoid any unnecessary stress. It is just part of our tear-down procedure to ensure that everything is stowed and ready to tow.
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Old 07-11-2020, 08:41 AM   #12
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Either way for me. What ever is convenient doesn’t matter.
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Old 07-11-2020, 09:29 AM   #13
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What ever the situation calls for but most often in.
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Old 07-11-2020, 09:38 AM   #14
432bartman
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Glad this topic was raised. I just did whatever and didn't put much thought that the slides out prior to hooking up causes more stress on the frame. Now I know to have them in before hooking up and leveling. Thank you group
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Old 07-11-2020, 01:33 PM   #15
Charlie 3931fb
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We always bring our slides in when we hook up. Please look at my tread (driving safety with 5th wheel trailer) under towing. I give you what I do step by step before getting out on the road..
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Old 07-11-2020, 02:59 PM   #16
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Close up/hook up.
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Old 07-11-2020, 03:12 PM   #17
Charlie 3931fb
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skw774 View Post
Close up/hook up.
WOW! Your guys are cute!!!!!
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Old 07-11-2020, 03:46 PM   #18
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We have owned one travel trailer and one fifth wheel that had slides. For both, the slides were extracted only after the trailer(s) were level and all jacks down firm. That means when hitching.... especially when hitching .... slides are always in.

On our first travel trailer, I asked the guy that did the PDI about extracting the slides when hitched. He said, yes you can. But he highly recommended we don't. He said, always extract the slides after the jacks are down. I didn't ask or question why. Common sense prevailed here.

When we got our current Montana, I asked the guy doing the PDI for us the same question. (Different dealer and 6 years apart between purchases, and 2 different trailer types, and two different Keystone brands). And the guy doing the PDI for our Montana said the exact same thing.
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Old 07-11-2020, 04:00 PM   #19
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This is like the SRW vs DRW threads..full of many opinions. I've never made it a priority to close the slides before hitching. It doesn't make any difference if you are level or on the jacks. There's enough tolerance in the slides and wall framing to be a little off level and they still function without causing damage or misalignment. The only slides that matter are the ones in the front that experience the most flex when the load is shifted from the hitch to the landing gear. Even then, it's only about 1/16"-1/8". I even move the trailer with the slides out for a few feet or 100 in my driveway.
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Old 07-11-2020, 05:33 PM   #20
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Lot's of comments about stress on the frame. Where do you get stress on the frame? The slides are not structural components of the frame. The trailer frame does not care if the slides are in, out, or missing.
Now driving with the slides out or maneuvering in a space with them out could be a hazard but probably only to damaging the slide hitting something or someone or blocking the view rearward. Could also cause the slide to be offset in orientation.
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