SlideOut lockbars

[1retired06]

Two folks in the park ( durango and flagstaff) have and use slideout lockbars provided with their fifthwheels. We have had slideouts since our first 2002 montana, and have never used. Do any Montana owners use or see the need? I would think pretty ugly if you try to open the slides and forget to remove.

[southern thunder]

I have never seen one.

[jimcol]

Saw some post a few years back on this forum about people who used them to prevent slides from creeping out. Also an individual was using them to keep a top heavy slide from tilting out. Can't remember the posters name but he was from Il. You are correct in your analysis about forgetting to remove.Jim

[DQDick]

I was turning the idea over of getting some the other day when the wind gusts were hitting one living room slide and moving it in almost an inch. Put my recliner back in the slide and it seemed to hold it, but it wasn't a fun experience. My concern with using any kind of brace for the slides would be that it might put tension on the slide mechanism it's not intended to have. Maybe I'm over thinking it?

[DarMar]

Our first 5er with a slide, a 1999 Triple EEE Topaz model, came with two such bars that were supplied from the factory(Canadian made) to be used on the one dining/living slide. Once we closed the slide these would wedge between the top inside lip of the slide and the outside wall of the fiver. We faithfully used them as instructed while we owned that unit till 2003. For those who have experienced a slide that tips out at the top during a tight turn, these would certainly prevent that from happening.

[maximo]

My first 5er had the two slide out bars to use when the slide was in. I tied colored plastic streamers to the bars so I could see they were in place. I have heard of some that put the slide out with the bars in and put holes in the wall. I asked the dealer when we bought our 2011 Big Sky about the bars and they had never seen them. I called Montana and they said "NO", there was no need for them

Frank

[HOOK]

I think from this forum, I picked up the idea that the reason our slide tops reach the wall first is to insure that our slides do not have that problem. I'm sure others will follow.

[Hooker]

We never used one, but on our 3400 we had the kitchen slide tilt out from the bottom while making a right 270 degree turn.

[mhs4771]

Our previous TT with a worm gear slide out mech came with the lock bars and decals on exactly where they were to go. I think for them to work the unit would have to be designed for them with reinforced areas where they were placed.

[tanner1070]

I have only seen the lockbars on small trailers with manual slide outs. They were used to hold them out when extended and hold them in when retracted.

[1retired06]

Talked with Suncoast here, and they indicated the hydralic pump has a locking mechanism which prevents the slides from going out, therefore Keystone does not provide or recommend use of the locking bars. I would have thought most of the manufacturers used the same pump.

[jimcol]

I wonder if the use of that type pump is recent as creeping slides has been a hot topic on this forum in past years? Jim

[Phil P]

Hi

We had the kitchen slide tip out at the top far enough for the dogs water dish to go under it. Our dealer when questioned about it said not to use the bars and that he had never heard of a slide doing what I said.

Phil P

[1retired06]

I have to say that in 13 years with Montana's, have never had an issue of any kind with slides