Question about slides

[LindaH]

We've never had an RV with flat floors before, so I wonder if it's OK to step on the slide -- or sit at the dining table -- when the slide is in?

On a non-flat floor slide, the slide sits firmly on the floor when it's in. As you know, in the Excel, the leading edge of the slide sits off the floor, and the first -- and only -- time I stepped on it when the slide was in, I was dismayed to see how much flex there was in it. This leads me to believe that we shouldn't step on the slides when they're in...which is going to make it very difficult to stop and eat lunch inside the rig unless we can find a place where we can open at least the slide with the couch and table in it.

What do all of you do when traveling?

[LindaH]

We've never had an RV with flat floors before, so I wonder if it's OK to step on the slide -- or sit at the dining table -- when the slide is in?

On a non-flat floor slide, the slide sits firmly on the floor when it's in. As you know, in the Excel, the leading edge of the slide sits off the floor, and the first -- and only -- time I stepped on it when the slide was in, I was dismayed to see how much flex there was in it. This leads me to believe that we shouldn't step on the slides when they're in...which is going to make it very difficult to stop and eat lunch inside the rig unless we can find a place where we can open at least the slide with the couch and table in it.

What do all of you do when traveling?

[hotair]

Usually walk funny . We tend to just do it, trying to stay off the edges as much as possible. Dealer told us that unless we were VERY large we would not hurt anything.

[LindaH]

Hotair, I can understand not walking on the very edge of the slide; however, what I'm talking about is that the "entire slide" moves up and down when walked upon! I just can't believe that it's good for the slide to be walking on it when it moves so much, let alone having two people sit at the table to eat.

Anyone else with extensive experience in this matter?

[hotair]

If, in fact, the entire slide moves, I think you have a problem. In ours, with the slide in, it had better not move, that would mean it was not tight on the sides, i.e. not sealed. On the other hand, if only the floor in the center moves, as in ours, enough to depress to the 'real' floor, I don't see the problem. The slide floor is not very rigid, it is supported from below when out and floats when in. The ends should be well attached to the slide end walls and should not move when walked on (except at the center edge). It is the pressure of the slide against the side of the trailer that provides the rigidity on the ends. In addition you should see much less movement on the outside of the floor even near the center of the slide (say between the dinette and the sofa near the wall. I should say that we spent considerable time getting the slides adjusted satisfactorily on delivery (and of course went through it all over again after the repair on the slide).

I will be billing you for $.14 for cleaning my doormat as I, at great sacrifice, went out in the mud and snow to research this problem, and now have to wash the mat. This is a special discounted rate, as there are other rugs I can wash at the same time.

[LindaH]

Thanks for the further explanation, Hotair.

I'll pay more attention to it the next time we put the slides in...the first time, I got the impression that the entire slide was moving up and down, but perhaps it was only the floor that was moving.

["007"]

On my main slide there are four rollers evenly divided, even with these the edge of floor on slide does flex, but they give more support when slide is in. You may want to check how many you have and surgest to MFG on future models maybe they could add some rollers if you do not have as many.

[LindaH]

We had to take our Excel in to the local RV service center here in Quartzsite (RV Lifestyles) because our A/C wasn't working (the fan blows, but it doesn't blow cold air). We figured it would be something really simple since we've only had this rig since the middle of January, and have never used the air. But it turns out it needs a new compressor! (Coleman was supposed to ship out a new one on Monday, so hopefully, we'll get it installed yet this week).

Anyway, when we pulled the slides in to take it down to RV Lifestyles, I paid more attention to what happens when I step on the slide...it IS just the floor that flexes. However, it still makes me nervous to be walking on it -- like when we stop for lunch and sit at the table to eat (which we haven't done yet because we can't leave Quartzsite until we get our A/C fixed!).

I'm still interested in hearing of other's experiences with walking on the slides when they're in. Have any of you ever had any kind of problem doing so?

[Walter Smith]

We have dined with our slides in in both our 2000 EXCEL and our 2006 EXCEL with no apparent problems. WE don not notice any significant movement when we walk on the slide when it is in the in-position.

[LindaH]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Walter Smith:
WE don not notice any significant movement when we walk on the slide when it is in the in-position. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Then maybe it's something we should have Peterson check when we're there this summer...I can see the couch move up and down when I step on the couch/table slide.

[lucky1945]

I have a 1997 Excel with a flat floor slide out, we have use the dinning table and the couch when it is in, have not had any problems, if you step on the edge it does move some but it is minor, as you can see our trailer is 10 years old, and have never had a problem using the slide when it is in&gt;

[ChiefJohn]

Welcome to iRV2.com and the Excel Owner's Forum "lucky1945" --- take time to explore iRV2.com's great features and post some pictures of your rig.

[mason]

I have a 98 & walk on the slides when they are in often when we are travelling & retrieving items or eating/sleeping & have no problems with our 9 year old unit.
Mason

[ChiefJohn]

Welcome Mason! I believe most of us walk on the slide floors while they are in the closed position and don't have any problems. Appreciate your input--check out all this great site, iRV2.com, has to offer.