Slide Locks...

[bobguigley]

...do any of you use them?

[inlineskater]

yes, I put mine on every time I bring them in.

[MisterT]

never have in 60,000 miles

don't even know what they are

[RCCFleetwood]

Yes, every trip. But our RV is older (1997), and new to us, so I'm not comfortable yet knowing how "locked" it is w/o them.

[Scarab0088]

Yes, use it (there's only 1 for our couch & dinette slide) anytime the slide is closed after a significant windstorm in East Texas showed us why they are made

While driving, we were hit by a side wind that was SO strong that the suction on the backside of the wind (downwind side of the RV) actually pulled the slide just enough to allow light to leak through the slide seal.

The slide immediatly popped back, sealing against the RV wall. But that was enough of a lesson for us.

The slide lock protects the slide seals by reducing movement and protects the slide drive from unwanted torque against the brake and gear-set.

Some brands even make a lock (slide latch) an integral part of the slide drive.

The owner just MUST remember to remove (or unlock) the slide lock before opening the slide...or damage can occur.

Safe travels

[Sandy Swede]

My .02 worth: If ya got 'em, use 'em.

There are two power slide locks on each of the 3 slides on our coach. They engage and disengage automatically when you push the button. This makes them idiot-proof, which is a good thing for me ("Hey, I resemble that!"). They were a $2,300 option when the coach was built in 2004. Peace of mind knowing that there will be no 'wandering' slides while underway.

[Redapple]

We have and use ours everytime we slide them in.

Sent from my SM-G935V using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app

[Hit_the_Rhod]

Yep, every time we put in the slides!

[LaurenceStarr]

I don't know why, but since the manufacturer put them there, we use them. Just remember to "in-lock" before you try to put the slide out. Big repair bill if you don't. (don't ask how I know).

[Unicorn Driver]

I use mine as it came with the coach.



Sent from my SM-N910V using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app

[Stan&Jacquie]

Originally Posted by 1stMH

I use mine as it came with the coach.



Sent from my SM-N910V using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app

Haven't used mine in 40k miles but am beginning to think I should.


Sent from my iPad using iRV2 - RV Forum

[wildtoad]

Some of the locks some of the time. If you do use them, make sure you get in the habit of ALWAYS checking to be sure they are unlocked before you hit the Out switch.

[rapid rick]

Shortly after we purchased our coach,first trip noticed when turning right into a gas station etc, upon hitting ramp to enter with rf tire we would hear a loud bang. I started checking everything,could not find source of noise. I started reproducing the right turn entry,when my dw noticed the top of slide bounce outward and then slam back...there lies the noise.Our slide is not the flat floor type, it stays at same level, goes in and out, has tracks and motor attatched to floor of slide and floor of coach. Even though slide was all the way in, there is nothing solid to hold the top in,(like swintech type) thus when turning right into gas station etc, the top would flop out and slam back in unless I went very slow, like a crawl to enter that type of curb, sloped entry,etc. My thinking is that this is not good for the tracks, to flex in this manner so I ordered 2 after market slide locks, 1 front, 1 rear, problem and noise gone. I forgot how much they cost, like $60.00 or so, worth it. I put stickers below slide switch that say (remove slide locks ) which are just as important as the slide locks themselves.

[Scarab0088]

Yep, it is very important to NEVER MOVE THE SLIDE WITH SLIDE LOCK INSTALLED...

So, since our slide drive has a keylock preventing accidental operation...
We placed the key on a ring that hangs on the slide lock. The key ONLY comes off the slide lock when the lock is removed.

Never a risk for forgetting to remove the slide lock