Slide outs

[Mike117]

A friend told me that with slides if you are staying in one place for a long time you need to have a support under each slide so that they don't drop down. I am new to having slide but just doesn't seem to make sense to me with the way these things are built. For you folks who spend a great deal of time. Your thoughts?

[BB_TX]

I don't think anyone here has ever advocated slide supports. Even the vast majority of the full times do not use them.

In general the feeling is that they pose a potential danger to the slides if a tire(s) should go low and cause one side of the trailer to drop and cause an upward force on the slides, it could damage the slide.

[The Oldguard]

NO!!!

[DQDick]

They won't help, but as stated above there is a potential for doing some serious damage. We full time so ours have been out almost continuously for the last three years and part time before that with no need for them.

[steelpony5555]

Hmmmm if a tire goes flat sitting there and that side drops while you have a solid support under........... not a pretty sight.....

[1retired06]

No

[Mike117]

Thank you. I had only seen it a few times in parks and didn't think it was a good idea. Good to know.

[WeBeFulltime]

Are you sure this person is really a friend?

[WaltBennett]

Well, if your landing gear and stabilizers are down (or your Level-Up system is down), nothing SHOULD drop if a tire goes flat - but I still wouldn't use slide out supports for the reasons given. There is flex in any 5er frame and body, and having a slide out moving even a small amount against it would not be good.

[pineranch]

I believe slide out supports came about when TT'rs came out with very flimsy supports. They are a product of bygone years. I've seen technicians towing with slides out.
Mike

[Art-n-Marge]

Your friend was referring to a rig with the slideouts parked for a long time, BUT, and the big but about it is that the rig is also supported at the frame with blocks and jacks to eliminate the problem if a tire goes flat and the slide support could break a slide.

When you look at the instructions for using a slide support, it is suggested the slide support be raised to the point where it just starts to contact the outside edge and under the slide's frame. This means it is not intended support a slide per se even like a stabilizer, but to minimize movement as someone walks, sits or moves around on the slide itself (like in a dining area). The slide support pretty much prohibits small scale movement in that slide, and THAT'S IT. It is not Jack, or a Stabilizer or anything considerable you'd want to keep your slide extended and it will cause major failures if there is a mishap where that slide needs to drop considerably and this support prevents it.

I hope you can imagine the potential mishap, but to understand your friend's reasoning, a slide support could only help stop movement and will cause damage if there are no other means and supports to prevent severe movement while the slides are out for the long term and the rig is continuously being used. Keep in mind, like others state, the technology and strength of slideouts has improved and as pineranch alludes, a slideout can support more that a very small slide support could provide.

[Mike117]

Thanks, and to the question , yeah he a friend and had a fifth wheel for a while. I appreciate the answers. Just want to make sure I do things proper.

[commish]

I think the supports came about back when the slides were called tip-outs. We have some from the old days but don't use them anymore.

[Jimmer]

We travel with other couples. Sometimes we will have 4 adults at the dining room table and then 3 people sitting on the couch. Approximately 800 to 900lbs. I use the supports and they work well. I have my stabilizers down so a flat tire will not be an issue. They also add to stabilizing the 5th wheel.