How often do slides need to be adjusted?

[Bob Wilson]

I've been full-timing for 3+ years in a 36' four-slide 5th wheel (my first RV). Never take it off the paved roads other than to drive into parking lots or RV parks; and I have somewhere around 50k miles on the rig.

About two months ago and 3,000 miles ago I had all of my slides adjusted, but two of them are out of alignment again.

Curious how often other folks find they need to get their slides adjusted ... not checked, but actually adjusted because they're binding.

And are all brands equal in the slide department? I assume most manufacturers purchase their slides from companies like HWH ... true?

Thanks!

Bob

[Bob Wilson]

I've been full-timing for 3+ years in a 36' four-slide 5th wheel (my first RV). Never take it off the paved roads other than to drive into parking lots or RV parks; and I have somewhere around 50k miles on the rig.

About two months ago and 3,000 miles ago I had all of my slides adjusted, but two of them are out of alignment again.

Curious how often other folks find they need to get their slides adjusted ... not checked, but actually adjusted because they're binding.

And are all brands equal in the slide department? I assume most manufacturers purchase their slides from companies like HWH ... true?

Thanks!

Bob

[450Donn]

First thing that comes to my mind is that if two of your slides are out of adjustment again that either whoever did the work did a sloppy job or you have some worn parts. So far I have not had any problems with my slides, but my trailer is only two years old, and we do not full time in it. Might be time to have the slides checked for worn or damaged parts.

[Bob Wilson]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">First thing that comes to my mind is that if two of your slides are out of adjustment again that either whoever did the work did a sloppy job or you have some worn parts. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thanks 450Donn. The slides were adjusted at the factory service center, and they did replace some worn parts. I think they did a good job. Seems more an issue of the slides not staying in alignment.

I'm just trying to figure out if this is common ... if so, I'll just live with it since the slide outs add a lot to the room and comfort. But if most folks go years between slide adjustments, then perhaps there is still something wrong, or perhaps some slide mechanisms are more stable than others.

Thanks,
Bob

[FiverBob]

Seven years and over 50K on mine including Newfoundland, Alaska and Mexico roads and never had them aligned. They are perfect.
Bob

[Bob Wilson]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Seven years and over 50K on mine including Newfoundland, Alaska and Mexico roads and never had them aligned. They are perfect.
Bob </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thanks Bob ... that's impressive ... wish I could say the same. I've already had my bedroom slide adjusted three times this year, and it is binding again.

I've heard that slides are a common problem area, but this seems more frequent than I was expecting.

Any other forum members with positive or negative experience with slide adjustment? Just trying to get a feel as to what is 'normal'.

Thanks!
Bob

[Hitchhiker]

Over the past 15 years I've had 5 Fifth wheel trailers and never had to have a slide adjusted. One rig, a 2000 model HitchHiker II was pulled to Alaska and back over the Alcan Highway. All the slides were hydraulically operated.

[FiverBob]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">
Thanks Bob ... that's impressive ... wish I could say the same. I've already had my bedroom slide adjusted three times this year, and it is binding again.

I've heard that slides are a common problem area, but this seems more frequent than I was expecting.

Any other forum members with positive or negative experience with slide adjustment? Just trying to get a feel as to what is 'normal'.

Thanks!
Bob </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Bob, are your slides hydraulic? I have had trouble with MH's with hydraulics but never with the electric motor ones. The pistons did not operate at the same speed and pushed them kittywampus (that is a word, isn't it???)
Bob

[Bob Wilson]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Over the past 15 years I've had 5 Fifth wheel trailers and never had to have a slide adjusted ... All the slides were hydraulically operated. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thanks Richard. It's beginning to sound like my rig is unusual.

The slides on my 2004 are electric; but the new Excels are hydraulic. Wouldn't have guessed the method of actuation would impact the alignment; but Excel has said that their warranty claims on the hydraulic slides are down from the electric ones.

Bob

[Bob Wilson]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Bob, are your slides hydraulic? I have had trouble with MH's with hydraulics but never with the electric motor ones. The pistons did not operate at the same speed and pushed them kittywampus (that is a word, isn't it???)
Bob </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi Bob, I was posting a response to Richard just as your post came in. Since Richard has had great luck with hydraulic and I'm having problems with electric, it may be that the problem is more in the overall slide design rather than the motor type.

Thanks to both of you (Richard and Bob) for the info. Really appreciate it!

Bob

[tginzo]

Bob;
Like FiverBob, two trips to Alaska, Newfoundland and numerous trips to Florida with zero problems with the slide-out, knock on wood. The slide-out is electrically operated.
Less us know what they find.
Ginzo

[Bob Wilson]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Like FiverBob, two trips to Alaska, Newfoundland and numerous trips to Florida with zero problems with the slide-out, knock on wood. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Thanks for the info Ginzo.

So far, no one else is having slide alignment problems ... guess this really is just a problem with my rig.

[RustyJC]

I've owned 5th wheels with electromechanical slideout drives since 1996 and have never had a slideout adjusted.

Rusty

[D and J]

Bob,

What do you mean exactly by adjusting?? I've never done anything than clean and lubricate on any of my trailers slides