manuel slide extension

redbone · 09-06-2007, 02:07 AM

I have a 2005 32',RT with electric slides. I have tried to extend the slides by hand and was surprised how difficult and slow the process. I am wondering if there is a trick I am not aware of because the torque required to extend the slide was amazing, I can't imagine using the tool provided and fully extending and retracting the slides. Additionally, how is the bedroom slide extended in the event of electric failure? I have never needed to operate the slides by hand but want to be prepared in the event of problems.
Thanks,
Bill Hagen

redbone · 09-06-2007, 02:07 AM

I have a 2005 32',RT with electric slides. I have tried to extend the slides by hand and was surprised how difficult and slow the process. I am wondering if there is a trick I am not aware of because the torque required to extend the slide was amazing, I can't imagine using the tool provided and fully extending and retracting the slides. Additionally, how is the bedroom slide extended in the event of electric failure? I have never needed to operate the slides by hand but want to be prepared in the event of problems.
Thanks,
Bill Hagen

MakinSmoke · 09-06-2007, 11:29 AM

Bill,
I do not know the answer to your quesion...
I have been snooping around this and other forums for a couple years and have never heard of anyone having to close by hend.

I guess in the event of an emergency, it wouldn't matter if it took a long time, at least there is a way to get the slide back in.

clspds · 09-06-2007, 11:39 AM

You can cut off the end of the crank provided by PI and it will fit in a 1/2" drill. I have not had to use mine and hope I never will.

Farmer Jim · 09-06-2007, 11:49 AM

I had a fellow out in Utah tell me on the bedroom slide you raise the bed, then take up the panel over the mechanism and unhook the drive, find two good men to push in on the slide-out, then find a 2 by 4 the right length to hold it in while traveling down the road to the repair shop. The factory told him the right length of the 2 by 4 to be used.

rockintom · 09-08-2007, 09:57 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by redbone:
I have a 2005 32',RT with electric slides. I have tried to extend the slides by hand and was surprised how difficult and slow the process. I am wondering if there is a trick I am not aware of because the torque required to extend the slide was amazing, I can't imagine using the tool provided and fully extending and retracting the slides. Additionally, how is the bedroom slide extended in the event of electric failure? I have never needed to operate the slides by hand but want to be prepared in the event of problems.
Thanks,
Bill Hagen </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

IIRC the gear ratio is about 55:1 Another words 55 motor revolutins to one of the shaft that the pinions ride on. That's a lot of turns by hand!!! Just guessing you'd have to have a fairly strong drill to run it. Obviously, this is for an emergency situation.....or maybe a check of an endurance test!

Butch50 · 09-09-2007, 05:48 AM

Did you disengage the motors? I believe on most of the electric models you are supposed to do this. If you don't you are turning it also which adds more drag. Then you are only turning the gear box and the shaft to retract the slides. Most of your bedroons are accessed under the bed via a panel you take off. Yes the this is hard cranking but it is only meant to get the slides in so you can make it to the dealer for repair, not meant to do it each day to extend and retract them. If you did this you would come back looking like Popeye the sailor man

. Also in most cases (unless you have a total power meltdown failure) you are only going to need to crank in one slide as it would most likly be one moter or such to go out and not all of them.

rockintom · 09-09-2007, 06:11 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Butch50:
Did you disengage the motors? I believe on most of the electric models you are supposed to do this. If you don't you are turning it also which adds more drag. Then you are only turning the gear box and the shaft to retract the slides. Most of your bedroons are accessed under the bed via a panel you take off. Yes the this is hard cranking but it is only meant to get the slides in so you can make it to the dealer for repair, not meant to do it each day to extend and retract them. If you did this you would come back looking like Popeye the sailor man

. Also in most cases (unless you have a total power meltdown failure) you are only going to need to crank in one slide as it would most likly be one moter or such to go out and not all of them. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hi Butch,

How do you disengage the slide motor? Just curious. The only way I could think is to remove the driveshafts. I'm sure I'm missing something here.

Thanks,
Tom

MakinSmoke · 09-09-2007, 06:45 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I'm sure I'm missing something here. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Tom,
You are really tempting me...and it's Sunday. I should not be bad on Sunday

rockintom · 09-10-2007, 11:01 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by MakinSmoke:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I'm sure I'm missing something here. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Tom,
You are really tempting me...and it's Sunday. I should not be bad on Sunday

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Whaaatttt? I don't get it Virg. Help me out on this one too! Country boy IQ 14

Butch50 · 09-10-2007, 05:45 PM

Tom,

I'm not sure but the manuals might give a clue or a call to Excel. I have heard of other people doing this on other brands. It is my understanding with power on there is a braking action. You know how much drag (with gear reduction on it) a small electric motor has, a bunch.

I also meant to respond to you on email but now it is on my other computer (at work) but yes we are in Sutherlin right now. We were right across the road from you at the Hi-Way Haven park. The one with the drive in movie screen

We are presently working on contract down here. I am going to have to figure out this retirement thing. Did it once and then went back to work (both the wife and I). The problem is now we are working more than before we retired.

. 6 days a week and lots of time 10 to 12 hours a day. Something wrong with this picture.

rockintom · 09-10-2007, 06:07 PM

Thanks Butch,
I still don't know how you'd disengage the motor. I am familiar with the gearbox and slide drive system. You have to disconnect the driveshaft or remove the gearbox motor. Doesn't make sense to me.

Sorry I wasn't paying more attention to your location. We could have got together and shot the s***. I could have walked (stumbled) to your place. We enjoy the Oak Hills Golf Resort RV park. Only $22.50 for the night! Nice concrete slab/78 channel cable tv and full hook up. Spotless modern bathrooms. Watch out for the 95 PSI water pressure though. I bet I could have sprayed water on you from where we were!!! Not bad!

redbone · 09-10-2007, 06:27 PM

Thanks for the replys. I posted because I am not sure about the procedure for moving the slides if the electric system is broken. I use my trailer mostly for bird hunting and want to feel competant to handle any situation in remote locations. If there is something that must be disengaged I would love an explanation. I have read the manuel many times and there is no mention of disengaging the motor. If you have not tried the manuel crank you will be surprised at the torque required to move the slide. I am in pretty good shape and would not want to be forced to rely on the hand crank. I think it would be impossible for anyone that is elderly or slightly infirm to move the slide without electric power, unless I am going about it the wrong way. Anybody from the factory have any advice?
Bill