slide cable snapped - Montana Owners Club

Brian S · 05-19-2021, 11:33 AM

2020 Montana High Country. Was extending the bedroom slide when half way out heard a large boom. Said to myself, that cant be good. Finished extending it and went outside to see that the top/front cable had snapped (snapped off). A few questions...1) How hard to repair? 2) How best to get the slide in? 3)Once in, is safe to drive with it? and 4) Why do you think this happened? Thanks for the advice!!!

WeBeFulltime · 05-19-2021, 12:37 PM

I've never had cable operated slide outs but I understand replacement cables are available from Amazon and instructional videos on You Tube. I don't think it's that difficult if you're comfortable with wrenches. Have fun.

RMcNeal · 05-20-2021, 04:59 AM

I've watched a few of those videos on YouTube. As I understand it, you can disengage the motor and push the slide in by hand. You'll need to use a block of wood on top to prevent it from sliding out while traveling.

Brian S · 05-20-2021, 08:36 AM

Oh dear! It can slide out!!?? I drove it back to storage yesterday. I bring it back here tomorrow for repair. Any idea how to wedge it closed?

RMcNeal · 05-20-2021, 08:47 AM

You can cut a 2x4 or similar piece of wood and wedge on top against slide and wall to prevent movement.

Mikendebbie · 05-20-2021, 10:17 AM

Here is a pic to show where to put the 2x4s...

phillyg · 05-20-2021, 11:11 AM

Sounds like a BAL slide and yes, vids available on YouTube. Looks like a fairly simple fix. A cable can fray and snap because of an improper install, so look and fix the cause before fixing it.

DutchmenSport · 05-20-2021, 04:48 PM

First, yes you can still use your slide as normal, you can extend it and retract it.

At the current moment I have a broken cable, same position as yours, top front. I do have an appointment with my local service department for a replacement. Actually, they really are not THAT hard to replace. But I don't have the crimping tools, time or patients right now. We have been on the road for several weeks now and returning home on May 28 to be home for Memorial Day week-end. The appointment is scheduled for May 7. If I had the cable, I'd probably attempt replacing it myself, but working-from-camper, living in it right now, I just decided it was easier for someone else to fix it.

However, here is the manual for the BAL slide system. It looks a bit daunting when you first go through it, but by the 3rd or 4th time you read it, it begins to make sense, and if you climb up and look at the top of your slide where the pully's and cables, and motor is, it begins to make sense.

click here for PDF

mhs4771 · 05-20-2021, 05:40 PM

Dutchman, if you appointment is for May 7th, I think you missed it, could it be June 7th??

LOL

DutchmenSport · 05-20-2021, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhs4771

Dutchman, if you appointment is for May 7th, I think you missed it, could it be June 7th??

LOL

Yep, you're correct. June 7. (I think I've been on the road too long, I don't even know what month it is any more!)

Garmon1966 · 05-23-2021, 03:12 PM

That’s the very reason I still have my 2005 Montana 3255RL. They cut too many corners on these new models. They put way more into building them years ago. I’ve never had a problem with my slide and it’s going on 16 years old. In my opinion, those cable supports are accidents waiting to happen. Too much weight hanging out for them to support. I like my steel slides under the floor just fine. No sag and no “snap” uh oh, what was that.

CaptnJohn · 05-23-2021, 03:39 PM

I no longer have cable sleep des but keep a kit in the 5er in case someone else needs a repair. I’m on NE Ohio now if you are close.

DaveK · 05-23-2021, 04:04 PM

Advice. Regularly inspect your slide cables. Repair will be easier.

I had an upper dinette/theater seat slide cable break. I could not get the slide back in.

It cost $500 for a mobile tech to replace one cable, $125 for the trip to my house, approximately $100 for one slide cable, and approximately $120 per hour labor. A moderately technical person might be able to do it, and take 4x longer to do it. Probably be better left to the pros.

If you talk to RV techs, you'll learn that all slide types have issues. Pros and cons to each.

BuilderBob · 05-23-2021, 06:42 PM

The cables are not hard to replace at all. We carry a spare and the tools to do if we ever have to replace one on ore own rig. but I have done them on other peoples that broke them. It only takes about an hour to do most of them except the bed room one is harder because lack of room.

glendodom · 05-24-2021, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuilderBob

The cables are not hard to replace at all. We carry a spare and the tools to do if we ever have to replace one on ore own rig. but I have done them on other peoples that broke them. It only takes about an hour to do most of them except the bed room one is harder because lack of room.

I saw in another post where it was recommended to use a 5/32 cable clamp versus the provided ferrule for an easier install plus giving flexibility for cable adjustment. What is your thoughts on use of the cable clamp?

BuilderBob · 05-24-2021, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glendodom

I saw in another post where it was recommended to use a 5/32 cable clamp versus the provided ferrule for an easier install plus giving flexibility for cable adjustment. What is your thoughts on use of the cable clamp?

glendodom. I have never had any problems using what comes in the kit. it all works just fine. Never any problems with adjusting the cables at all.

**Carl n Susan** · 05-24-2021, 06:50 PM

The biggest advantage to the 5/32" cable clamp is not having to buy and carry the moderately expensive, only good for one thing, crimping tool .

Bad Moon · 05-24-2021, 08:20 PM

Voice of experience: if you find yourself stuck in Colorado Springs with a broken slide cable, do NOT call Cousins RV to repair it. Raped me for $700 and I supplied the cable and crimping tool and helped the jackass with the install.

Sokcap48 · 05-26-2021, 04:20 PM

I had one snap last fall on the way to AZ. It makes it a ton easier if you use Chinese handcuff and attach your new cable to the old one and pull through the rollers. You can also use regular small U-bolts to fasten rather than the one that need a crimping tool. Hope this helps.

glendodom · 05-26-2021, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl n Susan

The biggest advantage to the 5/32" cable clamp is not having to buy and carry the moderately expensive, only good for one thing, crimping tool .

Thanks for the clarification. I have the 2018 3721RL model which has the cable system on the front bedroom and hallway. It is a long super-slide. I currently don't have a problem but just educating myself for any future need.

In looking at the slide, naturally that long facia has to come off to simply get to the motor if you were going to do the manual operation. I haven't found just how those facias are attached. If they are simply up there with the nail gun operation, I just it is simply a matter of finding the right spot to behind to pull and detach?

I checked my four upper and lowers both inside and out and found that I did in fact have one beginning to do some fraying because during the install they didn't make the slide opening large enough and it had been dragging at the very end where attached to the slide. I have worked on the opening to make it larger, thus hopefully fixed a future break issue.

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