Support for Slideout

[Montana_1767]

We have a 3670 and will be taking a week long trip with several other members of our family. Since the dinet and couch are on the same slideout, at times there could be a lot of extra weight on that slide. I realize that you should not raise the slide with a leveling jack, as you could keep the slide from sealing, but would it be okay to support the slide to pick up this additional loading. Also how often and what type of maintenance should be done on the slides?

[Montana_593]

I asked same question when taking delivery, tech said additional support not necessary. Only maint on the electric slide is WD40 on rack & pinion gear. Hydraulic is probably different and I'm sure someone with that info will post soon.

[prariepoodle]

Welcome LPryor, I have heard that it is not a good idea to put supports under the slides. I am sure there will be some other members along soon with their opinions

[kdeiss]

Yes I understand it is a no no.If for some reason the unit would settle like maybe a flat tire or soft earth the jacks would would not let the slide settle at the same rate and put upward stress on the slide.

[sreigle]

Our owners manual says never to put supports under the slides. And i agree with Ken that if a tire goes down or the rig otherwise settles you could create some very expensive problems. We had our first Montana for 18 months, this one for 25 months, and have been fulltiming for 17 months. Our living room slide has (had) dinette and couch in it and we've never had a problem. We're not exactly lightweights, either. We also store our coffee table (rather heavy one), end table, lamps, etc., in that slide then retract the slide to hit the road.

I said that slide "had" those things in it because just a couple of weeks ago we copied an idea from RC and Samantha and swapped dining table and lounge chair. The lazyboy is now in that slide. It's probably a bit heavier than the table was.

I really don't think you need to worry about having supports. Those slides are pretty strong. Good luck. Hope you enjoy the Montana.

As for maintenance, you should lubricate the seals a couple of times per year or whenever they seem to be losing their flexibility. I use Camco's slide seal lubricant. I got it at Camping World but I have seen it in some Walmarts. Also, occasionally lubricate the large metal tubes (the ones with the teeth on the, not the round chrome one) including the teeth on the gears. For that I use Camco's Dri-Lube slide lube. It's a bit pricey but it is excellent. I also use it on my slider hitch.

Hope this helps.

[toolmanroy]

Interesting. Our owner's manual for our new Montana (2005) says to use supports for the slides for extended stay. Since we only go 3-4 days at a time at most we don't plan on using them, but I wonder why the change in advice. Might be something to bring up at the factory tour for those attending the rally.

[Montana_632]

We have a 2004 Big Sky 3670 and we put supports under the big slide when we are going to be in one place for at least two weeks. Our owners manual and the dealer said it is a good idea to use the supports for extended stays. You just want to be careful not to jack up the supports. I just tight them to the point the the rail is just setting on the support.

[Montana_1767]

Thanks for all of the feedback. I will probably not use the supports, but do need to do a little maintenance.

[Montana Sky]

I leave my coach at the lake from May - October and the slides have been out the entire time so far. I did bring them in last weekend to keep everything lubed. All four came in with no problem. Opened and closed them twice to make sure lube got to all parts of the slide rails. The factory rep had told me not to use slide supports, as the slide outs are made to have weight on them. Will be interesting to see what the factory has to say at the ralley. Someone please post the findings since I wont be able to make it to the ralley this year.

[Coro from Maryland]

Also put Lazy Boys on slide with no problem.
I read somewhere that using a support could void the warranttee on the slide mechanics.