Slide out mechanical locks. Use or don't use?

[DGBPokes]

We were test driving a "pre-owned" Newmar KSDP last week. Before we left the lot, I tried to lock the lock arms, they were really hard. The demo guy said " don't use those, you don't need them. Besides then you won't forget them and mess up the slide mechanism".
I have always used them on our old rig. And yes a couple times forgot them and had a problem.

What do you think? The slide seems very heavy, the cog wheels are long and sturdy? Lock em or don't lock em?

[KarenS144]

We lock ours. I don't think they're likely to fly open while on the road but locking them in eliminates the twisting, flexing, creeping.

["007"]

Locking them reinforces the wall structure and compresses the seals so no noise or rain may get it, Newmar has always had them for a reason, new locks now are auto mechanical, so they Newmar now decide it for you no matter what a salesman says.
Some times you need to use the locking tool to operate the locking bars.

[The Okie]

I always lock full wall and kitchen and living room slides. Never lock bedroom slide because it's a pain.

[USMCRET]

I lock both arms on the forward slides, and the forward lock arm that is easily reachable on the bedroom slides. If nothing else, the arms won't rattle when going down the road. I HATE RATTLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Gsgarland]

We have a 2014 Ventana 4036, the slides lock automaticlly. Is this a new feature?

[Afubar]

How can you tell when a sales person is lying? Their lips are moving. Why wouldn't you use a safety feature? As for forgetting to release them, a simple piece of paper taped over the switch works. On my paper, propane tank, drivers seat, slide locks, see, no problems.

[vonkamp]

Lock them. If the slide lock is hard to engage, there might be an alignment problem. I'm sure if they were not needed, Newmar would not have built them as it would be a "non value added" item

[Bill Hunt]

They are there for a reason. I Use'm.

[GaryKD]

Hi DGBPokes,
I use the locks all the time. If the locks are difficult to lock,
1. were you using the lock bar tool
2. the slide is out of adjustment. Look at the slide from the outside. There is a space (called the reveal) around where the slide fits into the coach box opening. If the slide has shifted (usually toward the front of the coach) and the reveal is gone, the slide may be hitting the side of the coach. In this case the slide is not completely in its' opening and the lock will not lock.

["007"]

Just to make sure this subject is covered here are some discussions on the same, slide locks.

SLIDE LOCKING ARMS

NEWMAR NEW SLIDE LOCK SYSTEM

SLIDE LOCK BAR

and to sum it up---- Newmar normal slide systems and the FULL WALL SLIDE INFO

If that is not enough there is still more. Save yourself problems and use the locks just make sure you place on your check list before opening or closing the slides.

[denlock]

I lock the front locks on all four slides. I asked the guy about not using them when we did our walk through, and he said to at least lock the front ones.

[KenNJ]

Our slides close completely however. We do use the front locks for our full wall slide and the kitchen slide. When we stop to refuel I always walk around the coach and make sure all is well. Our kitchen slide on the passenger side front will squeak if we do not lock it. We figure safer is better and they are very easy to lock and unlock.

["007"]

The squeak is the slide moving over its rubber seal may eventually wear through the rubber seal bulb making a hole in bulb part of seal may work faster on your larger slides.
If you hear the squeaks lock your slides.