Close up or leave open

[Davidm-MOC]

We have a 2004. Its parked on our lot on the Straits Of Juan De Fuca in Washington. We are 15 miles as the bird flys from the rain forest. We leave our slides out and haven't had a problem. We get wind gust up to 50 to 60 miles an hour and we have had days when it will rain all day. The kind of rain that you can't see 10 feet. Maybe we are lucky but a good friend has a 2008 Cougar in the same area and he has never had a problem either.

 

[Mikelff]

Close them. Why be lazy? Better safe than sorry.

 

[Rick Leary]

I learned this lesson the hard way. My first Fifth Wheel was a Heartland Elkridge. The bedroom slide only had two rollers that the floor rode it. (They can be seen under the slide when extended) I kept my slides open for a number of months only to find the floor had sagged. Not just a little but substantially so. My Montana has three much more substantial rollers but I take no chances. Slide them in and protect your investment.

 

[beeje-KEY]

My slides stay out 24/7 while not being used, however it is stored in an enclosed pole building. If I was you I would close them. Much less chance, rain/wind/sun/ vermin could cause any damage.

 

[Byron B]

IMHO, close your slides. You will not have to worry and when you return, you won’t wish you had closed them.

Stay safe, happy and healthy!

 

[Rondo]

I'm in the same situation as beeje! Our Monte sits in a totally enclosed pole barn with the slides open all the time BUT that is inside and out of the weather. No rain or wind or snow falls on it while stored in the pole barn but when we head out and we are set up at a campground for an extended time and we want to head out with the truck to do some exploring with out it behind us for several days, we close the unit up, turn off the water and a lot of times give a key to the unit either to a neighbor we can trust or to the office incase something should come up needed attention. I'd close it up!

 

[jimborokz]

We left our rig in NW GA while we came back to NY for the holidays. I winterized the water system because it could get below freezing while we're gone and I didn't want to leave the heat on like we usually do just so we don't waist a lot of propane. Our daughter lives next door and can keep an eye on things. Put three of those sonic things that plug in to keep mice out (don't really know if they work) and power is on to keep battery up. Pulled the slides in just before we left, took all of two minutes. Just reduces exposure. As it turns out with lock downs starting to get worse nationwide I'm not even sure we will get back to it in Jan but hoping so. May prove to have been a good move. Right now DW not interested in traveling south but that will change by Jan when she's missing the Grandkids.

 

[shoe]

What does the manual say?

Our manual says do not store the camper with the slides out. So, now we need to define just what 'store' means. One week, two, three years? The wife and I thought it would be a lot of work to get the slides in just to move. After a few times, we each have our 'assigned' tasks and we are ready to put the slides in within 10 minutes of starting. I'd say if you're leaving for more than a few days put them in. That way if someone decides to hook up and steal your camper they have less work to do.

 

[JDDilly]

We move into our permanent site in Northern Minnesota on May 1st and move out October 1st. Our slides are out the entire time. We leave every 3 weeks for about a week and just secure things that would blow away in the wind, but leave the slides out.

 

[mlh]

I close my slides when my camper is out in the weather and I’m not going to use it for several days. When it is in my camper shed I leave the slides open. It’s hard to take a nap with the bedroom slide closed.
Lynwood

 

[Big Ed]

We do the same thing sometimes for a few day are a week are two we bring in the slides turn off the water and water heater bring up the back jacks then we get back we will use the auto level at that time

 

[OldMcDonold]

I would close them personally.

 

[foldbak]

Personally I'm closing up. No need to expose anything to sun or rain if not necessary. Plus you give the seals a break and slides get exercise.

 

[SanAji]

Ours is parked at home when not in use with slides in and A/C on. With slides out, we find that the A/C is much less efficient. Also, less potential sun damage to or toppers.