Slide travel braces

[Miller205]

We are new motor home owners and were wondering about usage of the slide travel braces. The guy we bought the RV from told us he never used them. They seem like a good idea, but admit they are a bit of pain taking them in & out. Is there a consensus? Am I asking for slide problems if I don't use them?

[dons2346]

If the unit came with them, use them. If it didn't come with braces, don't worry about it.

[JFXG]

Hi, Miller..... Not sure exactly what type of braces or locks you're talking about, but it sounds like something manual. That's what I have on my 02-- articulated steel bars that I push up to the over-center position.

The locks are not required on my DS to keep the slide in. The slide drive mechanism is strong enough to do that. But I believe the slide locks in place enhance the rigidity and integrity of the coach body while driving. I always lock at least 1 on each slide before driving.


John & Diane, fulltiming since '12 '02 DS, FL, 3126, '04 Element
NHSO RVM103

[Old-Biscuit]

Question....
WHY would MFG. supply them?

Belt and suspenders mindset OR because they are part of slide out locking system??


MFG. rarely include items not deemed necessary due to costs

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by JFXG

Hi, Miller..... Not sure exactly what type of braces or locks you're talking about, but it sounds like something manual. That's what I have on my 02-- articulated steel bars that I push up to the over-center position.

The locks are not required on my DS to keep the slide in. The slide drive mechanism is strong enough to do that. But I believe the slide locks in place enhance the rigidity and integrity of the coach body while driving. I always lock at least 1 on each slide before driving.

Agreed, I never needed them on our '02 DSDP 4090 and the slides never slipped at all. I did lock the one right behind the drivers head but just to keep it from rattling so much!

[vanbuskirk]

We also asked that question when we purchased our first Class A. We used them religiousy but also learned from a couple whom we met at a campground that they can also cause damage if you forget and don't remove them prior to extending your slides. In order to remind us I purchased two tassels from a dry goods store and we attached them to the braces so that that they hung down and were an obvious reminder to remove them. DH initial reminder was two pieces of tape of which I thought looked tacky. When we purchased our 2nd Class A we found the braces in one of the basement compartments. We asked our salesman about them and he said hardly anybody used them and also added that their shop frequently gets repairs due to non-removed braces. We decided to store them. Third and current MH...2008 Tuscany with 5 slides didn't come with them.