USAdventureRV

[stik]

This may be too late, but I am in the parking lot of USAdventureRV in Davenport, Iowa waiting for my A.M. appointment for minor repairs on my 2009 Journey (slide lock).

Anybody got anything good or bad to tell me?

stik

[Keith K]

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. I stopped using mine over three years ago when one of the rubber boots failed and it started leaking. I've traveled over 30K miles since, and the slides never move. Talking to a Winnie tech at GNR, his opinion was that they were only put on to cover liability issues that worried the legal department. If they want an unreasonable amount of money, do without or cut a 2X4 to fit if you're still worried.

[doorguy]

Excuse my ignorance, but what "slide lock" are you guys referring to?

Barry(doorguy)
04 Journey 39K

[stik]

Quote:

Originally Posted by doorguy Excuse my ignorance, but what "slide lock" are you guys referring to? Barry(doorguy) 04 Journey 39K

They are electric locks that come up out of the top of the slide and press against the slide opening frame when the slide is retracted. I know this is not a good description, anyone help out?

Keith K:

I have, inadvertently, taken your advice. While waiting in the parking lot overnite for my appointment, family issues arose that caused me to cancel my appointment for now. I, too, have had other motor homes and never used the slide locks, I guess I feel a little uncomfortable because it is the "full-length" slide, but then again, I have traveled over a thousand miles so far with no ill effects.

[Hikerdogs]

You might want to stop by GNR next week and ask a factory rep about the use of slide locks. They seem to feel they are necessary. Under certain driving conditions wind can get behind the upper rear corner of the slide and pull it up to 6" away from the coach.
While it doesn't happen on a regular basis it could certainly do some damage if it does happen. A thousand miles is hardly a definitive test. I'm sure Winnebago wouldn't have bothered to go to the expense of adding them if they didn't feel they were necessary.

As a side note we've put almost 100,000 miles on our motorhome and use the slide locks religiously (ours are the older style over the center locking straps). We've been pushed around by high winds several times and wouldn't take a chance on incurring expensive damage by leaving the locks off.