slide problems

[Jamesadixon48]

I own a 2016 Montana 3160RL. The unit has 3 slides, one in the bedroom and 2 in the living area. One switch operates the 2 slides in the living area.

Here's my question: My unit has been in storage for 6 months, and when I checked on it the other day, the 2 slides were several inches extended out from the body of the unit. They were flush with the unit when we put it in storage. We unhooked the battery and took it home, so there was no power to the unit. What happened to cause these slides to partially slide open? Anyone else have this problem?

Montana tech support was useless.

[jcurtis934]

Haven't had the issue but there have been several posts in the past about "slide creep". Good luck with the issue. I would try bumping the slide switch in the out direction after bringing them in. Bumping or extremely brief push of the switch was touted to equalize pressures in the rams as I remember the posts. Some have had internal leaks in one of the two rear slide out rams causing the same issue...again, as I remember the posts.

[DQDick]

We had that problem when going down the road. Changed out the valves that regulate which ones go out and never had the issue again.

[prndl]

Originally Posted by Jamesadixon48

I own a 2016 Montana 3160RL. The unit has 3 slides, one in the bedroom and 2 in the living area. One switch operates the 2 slides in the living area.

Here's my question: My unit has been in storage for 6 months, and when I checked on it the other day, the 2 slides were several inches extended out from the body of the unit. They were flush with the unit when we put it in storage. We unhooked the battery and took it home, so there was no power to the unit. What happened to cause these slides to partially slide open? Anyone else have this problem?

Montana tech support was useless.

Do you have hydraulic or cable operated slides. Being a 2016 you might have cable.

[Jamesadixon48]

Hydraulic.

[CORattler]

I have a slide creep problem that only occurs in cold weather when I have the rig in storage and no power of any kind to the rig. I have spent over $4,000 throwing parts at it (hydraulic rams and hydraulic pump) and 3 different RV techs labor. Camping World in Fountain Colorado couldn't fix it but did remember to charge me. I've tried "bumping" the slide switch and swinging a rubber chicken over my head during a full moon. All to no avail.
I finally decided to stop throwing money at it. I bought slide locks and I install them when I put it away in storage for the winter. I put blue painters tape over the slide switch with a big day glow orange streamer attached so I will remember to remove the slide locks (it would be a bad day if I forgot to do this). I also installed a battery isolator switch.
Good luck resolving your issue. If you do get it resolved, please post your fix.

[Md.FireFighter 3791RD]

What are slide locks? On my last fifth wheel had two hydraulic slides and after a couple years old, they started to creep out while driving not a good experience. I solved the problem by putting a 4x4 wedged under the bed slide and on larger slide used a pick up truck cargo bar that ratcheted to the exterior wall and the slide once slide was in. Worked that way until i traded it in 10 years later. Never herd of slide locks.

[David T. MacNeill]

Originally Posted by CORattler

I've tried "bumping" the slide switch and swinging a rubber chicken over my head during a full moon. All to no avail.

Good tip on the bump method. I’ll do it even though my slides don’t creep — yet.

What brand rubber chicken do you use? I’ve heard some work better than others.

[jcurtis934]

Slide locks are a refined version of a 2x4 lodged between the wall and slide.

[Md.FireFighter 3791RD]

LOL. I did a 4x4 on my last fifth wheel with the bedroom slide and a ratchet cargo bar for a pick up bed for the living room slide. Mine would come out while driving. After installing my so called slide locks never happened again.

[CORattler]

Originally Posted by Md.FireFighter 3791RD

What are slide locks? On my last fifth wheel had two hydraulic slides and after a couple years old, they started to creep out while driving not a good experience. I solved the problem by putting a 4x4 wedged under the bed slide and on larger slide used a pick up truck cargo bar that ratcheted to the exterior wall and the slide once slide was in. Worked that way until i traded it in 10 years later. Never herd of slide locks.

OK, I use them as slide locks and call them that as that is what I use them for. Actually, they are cargo bars sometimes used in the bed of pickup trucks. Here is what they look like...
https://www.amazon.com/Keeper-05056-.../dp/B00002N9G3
I like the ones without the ratchet as I can use them in tighter spaces. They are easy to install and remove as they just twist to tighten and remove.

[CORattler]

Originally Posted by David T. MacNeill

What brand rubber chicken do you use? I’ve heard some work better than others.

I use the Binford 2000 model. It stays flexible even in cold weather.