Genny slide

[MSG Chuck]

I've got an '03 Dutch Star and I can't get the genny slide locks to release. I just bought this rig and it appears it hasn't been slid out for years. The last owner didn't even know that it did. Does anyone have an illustration of what the locking mechanism looks like? I have sprayed with penetrating oil and am patiently waiting.

[Romeo]

"Does anyone have an illustration..."

I dont', but when I was servicing my generator I inspected and lubricated the locking mechanism. If I'm not mistaken, and assuming that the 2003 is like the 2000, you can access the mechanism with the slide closed, but it will require you to roll under the MH and to the back of the generator. Mine had quite a bit of room to access the lock, so once under there you should be able to see how it locks and be able to unlock it manually without the use of the cable.

If you choose to do it, make sure you block the wheels and block the frame if you raise the MH with the jacks. And deflate the air bags.

[DutchStar38]

Just to check, have you released the 2 hook locks prior to pulling the "T" handle for the genny? You may also try pushing in on the genny slide while pulling the "T" handle.

[Renden]

Worked on mine today as last Winter, Florida, the pull mechanism did not work to unlock the 2006 GEN slide and this is a full front slide, heavy etc.

You need 2 persons to do it well as one does move the handle(situated in the driver side front panel - full of electrical stuff) and the other goes under the front, behind the GEN and you will see the metal string to the left unlock, followed by a metal piece, followed by the right unlock. This metal device does stretch, making it impossible to unlock the passenger side locking thing. So you remove the metal piece, note that it is too long, give it a curve to shorten it, put it back in place.....voilà you pull the handle and the whole front unlocks - It has nothing to do with rust.......it is a mechanical elongation of the mechanism - wish I could post PICS !!

Next time I have the 2006 MH (DSDP) serviced, I will have the metal piece shortened 3-4 mm at least.

Hope this helps

[MSG Chuck]

Thanks to all the ideas!!! I was able to release the mech today after the penetrating oil set in. I did have to rock it in but then it released and worked well after that. Thanks again to all that replied.

[Romeo]

Hey, wait a minute... you can't leave until you tell use how you fixed it. Did you have to crawl under and work on the latch or was it done from the front of the slide.

Was it the latch mechanism, or the slide rollers that we stuck.

Although some of us don't need the information, others with similar problems may find the information useful. It's always helpful to close problem write-ups with detailed problem resolution.

[Renden]

Already explained in no 4 ...the latch mechanism

[Romeo]

Originally Posted by Renden

Already explained in no 4 ...the latch mechanism

Well you explained what you did in #4 and I explained what I did in #2, but MSG Chuck didn't fully explain what he did.

Thanks for the input Renden...

[MSG Chuck]

Blame it on a rookie blogger mistake but I didn't explain my remedy. As I said in the beginning, I sprayed the heck out of the latches with penetrating oil. It is nearly impossible to get to them with the slide latched but I did the best I could. After waiting for a couple of days, and reading all the great suggestions, I was able to release the latches by pulling on the T-bar release handle. I may have rocked the slide back slightly while doing this but all I can say is that it did release and I was a happy camper .... no pun intended! Thanks again for all the ideas and I love this forum. It's gonna be a great help with a newbie almost full timer (8 months on the road and 4 months in MI). Great to be a part of the group

[JFXG]

I'm embarrassed to ask, but...... just where is this T-handle to release the gen slide? I've been looking at my gen mount for a year now, telling myself that it HAS to slide out, its so obvious that its made to slide out, but for the life of me I've not seen a release handle or latch release of any kind! Am I going blind, or what? Please!! (and thanks, too!)

[Spinner]

Originally Posted by JFXG

I'm embarrassed to ask, but...... just where is this T-handle to release the gen slide? I've been looking at my gen mount for a year now, telling myself that it HAS to slide out, its so obvious that its made to slide out, but for the life of me I've not seen a release handle or latch release of any kind! Am I going blind, or what? Please!! (and thanks, too!)

Open the front. Look just to the left and above the genny.

[Renden]

Thanks Romeo for your ...thanks

MSG Chuck, you sprayed the latches and you were lucky pulling on the T handle - do not think the latches are the problem but the bar between the two connecting wire that goes to the handle......it might have been stretched with usage to the point where the 2nd latch does not work - check it out next time - in mine (2006 DSDP) it is right behind the Gen - up there

[JFXG]

Originally Posted by Spinner

Open the front. Look just to the left and above the genny.

Boy, was this a Homer Simpson moment!! Thanks, Spinner!

LEFT: What I've seen--- big cable bundle zip-tied to the metal frame. RIGHT: Reality---what I see after I push the big cable bundle aside.

Doh!!

[racerdave]

Originally Posted by JFXG

Boy, was this a Homer Simpson moment!! Thanks, Spinner!

LEFT: What I've seen--- big cable bundle zip-tied to the metal frame. RIGHT: Reality---what I see after I push the big cable bundle aside.

Doh!!

Boy I wished I had a t-handle. I have a little choke cable button. I get mine all loose it will be time for an upgrade!