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Old 11-20-2020, 04:03 AM   #1
KemoLondon
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Close up or leave open

Going home for holidays but leaving rig in Florida. Will be gone about 4 weeks. Question is should I leave the slides out or close them? Will turn off water and power.
 
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Old 11-20-2020, 04:13 AM   #2
Mikendebbie
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I would close up. No scientific basis - that’s just what I would do. Mine sits here on the home property and most of the time it stays closed up.
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Old 11-20-2020, 05:13 AM   #3
KemoLondon
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Originally Posted by Mikendebbie View Post
I would close up. No scientific basis - that’s just what I would do. Mine sits here on the home property and most of the time it stays closed up.
Thanks. Mine stays closed at home too. But for only 4 weeks I think it should be ok.
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Old 11-20-2020, 05:22 AM   #4
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If you are okay with "Should be" then you will be okay.
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Old 11-20-2020, 05:39 AM   #5
KemoLondon
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What would your suggestion be?
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Old 11-20-2020, 07:33 AM   #6
Theunz
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Why would you not close them and eliminate any second thoughts??
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Old 11-20-2020, 08:09 AM   #7
phillyg
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I would close them.
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Old 11-20-2020, 12:59 PM   #8
DutchmenSport
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If we are not actually using our camper, the slides are in. It won't hurt anything to leave them open all the time. Ours are open at home, pretty much year round as we use the camper at home everyday, except between January and February when it gets too cold to financially keep it heated. When we migrate back into the house, the slides are then pulled in.

The other time slides are in, is if we know snow is coming. Then I'll retract the slides (and we move into the house). Once the snow is over, they come back out and we're back in the camper.

Why? you ask?

Because, if the slides are out, and for any reason we have to move the camper and there is a foot of snow on the roof, the slides are not coming in. We just screwed ourselves big time.

Same with some serious Summer storms and tornado warnings. Button everything up, in the event of total power loss and we have to bug out!

If you are going to be gone from the camper (completely gone), I advise pulling the slides in. It will not hurt the camper for them to be out. After all, they are made to be out!

The problem is, what about all the unknows that could happen. What happens if for some reason, the camper has to be moved and you are not there? Slides out... it's not moving anywhere! What happens if the weather turns really bad and wind blows tree branch, a board, even a nail through the roof of one of the slide outs?

Face it, the smaller the roof, the less possibility there is for damage. A tree branch can fall 1 inch from the camper with the slide in. If the slide were out, the branch just crushed your slide. Why take chances? It's definitely safer for the camper against the elements, thieves, and trespassers for the slides to be retracted (in) IF you are not going to be there with it.

There's....



for what it's worth.
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Old 11-20-2020, 01:10 PM   #9
DQDick
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We have many things that we have to remove to close the slides, but we would still close them if gone for more than a few days.
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Old 11-20-2020, 07:13 PM   #10
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Close them IMHO
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Old 11-21-2020, 05:45 AM   #11
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You have fewer things that could go wrong if you close it up.

After writing and reviewing design documents, "should" is a trigger word. A little voice always says "That is not an engineering term"
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Old 11-29-2020, 01:57 PM   #12
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I see many units with the slides open and always wonder why. I'm talking about ones that you know is not used.

My opinion (and just like butt holes, everyone has one), would be to close it up, put some dryer sheets everywhere and leave it plugged in.
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Old 11-29-2020, 02:29 PM   #13
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Also, with the slides in there is much less of a chance for rain getting in if there is a bad, windy storm.
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Old 11-29-2020, 02:48 PM   #14
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Twindman-
As I was reading your response I noticed the map of places you've been. The first thing that came to my mind was the old Hank Snow or Johnny Cash song, "I've Been Everywhere Man".
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Old 11-29-2020, 03:21 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Whitewolf View Post
Twindman-
As I was reading your response I noticed the map of places you've been. The first thing that came to my mind was the old Hank Snow or Johnny Cash song, "I've Been Everywhere Man".

Love Johnny and that song!❤️✌🏻️
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Old 11-29-2020, 03:54 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by Mr Mustang View Post
Love Johnny and that song!❤️✌🏻️
Me too!
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Old 11-29-2020, 04:26 PM   #17
Maggiesclan
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In my opinion ....a lot can happen in four weeks. All it would take is a fluke wind storm and you could return to find a lot of damage to your rig vs simply closing it up.

Worst thing is when you return you’ll have to air out your rig which is no big deal. With windows open your place will freshen up in a couple hours.

Good luck
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Old 11-29-2020, 04:31 PM   #18
wed
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We leave are Momtana in Florida when we go back home time to time I bring slides in turn water off but leave power on!
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Old 11-29-2020, 04:42 PM   #19
jcurryii
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We keep our Montana in a resort in Florida, occupied September-November and January-June. When not occupied the slides are in, AC set to 80. Never had a problem, no mold or mildew, even have the original 8 year old battery. Probably replace battery this spring because of age.
Have neighbors that leave their slides out all the time. Some have problems some don’t. Seems like the ones that disconnect the power have more mainly because of the heat and humidity.
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Old 11-29-2020, 05:02 PM   #20
richfaa
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We will close the slides if we are gone for a few days as you never know what the weather might do while you are gone.
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