Slides in or out?

[drknapp]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

We've been doing this fulltime long enough now that we get things done about the same time. Most of the time, it is much easier to pickup the water hose, drain hose, and electric cable with the slides in, just like while setting up, easier to get those things set up prior to extending the slides. I figure, what's the hurry, and why risk stressing the rig just to save a couple minutes?

I agree with this too. Not to mention you don't have to get on your knees to find the galley tank dump valve.

[phillyg]

My owner's manual says to first level then deploy slides. Makes sense to me that slides should be in before hooking up.

[jeffba]

Originally Posted by phillyg

My owner's manual says to first level then deploy slides. Makes sense to me that slides should be in before hooking up.

Read the manual?

okay who wound Jeff up?

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by phillyg

My owner's manual says to first level then deploy slides. Makes sense to me that slides should be in before hooking up.

Did not know that was in the manual ~ long ago a tech explained that and another stated the same when doing the PDI on my last 5er.
Always in until after the 5er is level and in before hitching.

[phillyg]

Originally Posted by jeffba

Read the manual?

okay who wound Jeff up?

I did, I did! But only after I had a question about one of the Schwintek slides that was not answered on a youtube video LOL. Honestly, I found the manual poorly written and mostly crapola, except for the one-liner about the slideouts going out AFTER leveling.

[Davoagallardo]

We finish inside first then put slides in then hook up and if we do pull slides out it’s disconnected from truck , I think this will save us from problems in the future

[Zinnman]

Sounds like the only KEY answer is to pull them in before leaving.

We pull them in before hooking up. Our habit.

[Davoagallardo]

Yes sir

[Whitewolf]

Generally DW does the inside and I do the outside. Then we generally check each others work. Either of us can miss anything.

I did find out that lowering the antennae on the inside was my job. Even though the crank was on the inside. That revelation came to light when neither of us lowered the antennae and it exploded going under an overpass.

When the inside is done, then slides are moved in before she guides me in hooking up.

We have to raise the front quite high to hook up because of the Reese Goosebox. But that's for another discussion at another time.

[jeffba]

but the antenna is outside

[Whitewolf]

Originally Posted by jeffba

but the antenna is outside

But the crank is inside. At least that was my argument. Which I lost. Now she'll look at me, smile and say "Antennae down?" and I say "Yes, ma'am."

[coachgrowl]

When leaving we hook up with slides out when ready to go we bring in slides and do a walk around. When arriving and staying only one night we stay hooked up and take all slides out. I connect water, electricity and sewer. In the morning take in slides and disconnect. Been doing this for 11 years. Works for us.

[team bradfield]

I only hookup and retract if level

[Half Fast Rusty]

I think a key point here is get into a routine. That way you are less likely to forget something like rolling in the antenna. Some of us have actual check lists on what to do next. I've found that working from inside to outside to be the best routine for me. This routine doesn't change even if we are on uneven ground. Although DW does know how to hook up the rig, she generally goes for a walk (empty the trash etc.) while I'm in the final hookup stages.

[Bill and Lisa]

Good points and food for thought. Our routine has been like others where Lisa is doing the inside and I do the outside. I normally do at least 3 flushes on the black tank so will work on other items while the tank is refilling for another full flush. Lisa is a heart patient and we have two dogs so the slides normally stay out and her and the dogs inside in comfort until I am ready for them to transition to the truck. At that point normally only the power is still connected. They move up to truck, I bring in slides and disconnect the power and do a final walk around and we are off.


(have learned the hard way that dogs cannot be placed in the truck while Lisa and I finish breakdown. for little dogs - Chihuahuas they have enough weight to raise the windows, lock the doors - of course it was hot so the engine was running to run the air......not a fun day )

[rohrmann]

Part of my routine, after the slides are in, all hoses and the electric cable is stored, and the rig is hitched up and jacks are all retracted, is turn on the four way flashers, which proves the important bulbs are working and shows the trailer cord is connected properly, and I walk around the rig looking at all the slides, doors, tires, and I step back from the rig and observe the roof area to make sure the satellite dish is down as well as occasionally the OTA antenna is down, and that everything looks normal. I also make sure the side mirrors are extended, and we are then ready to roll. Once in a while something is overlooked, but the walk around is what catches things.

[coachgrowl]

Walk around and check everything then go. Also do the same at every rest stop. You cannot check too much. Just my 3 cents. Once before doing this we actually left the steps down. Truck pulled up next to us and pointed out our error.

[Kyle and Lisa]

Manual, what's a manual ? Just kidding, being first time owners Lisa downloaded the manual and I actually read it from front to back and high lighted things as I went. Lug nut torque, etc.