Whoops, forgot slide locks

[rperrym]

After being so careful about releasing slide locks and moving the drivers seat forward, I forgot today to release the locks on the living room slide. Motor torqued out, which should have raised an alarm, then I heard some noise below where the motor and one of the sprockets are located. It did not move more than a few inches, and I could not see any damage other than some rough places on the bar where the sprocket drives the slide out. I am probably the only one that has done that, but if anyone else has, did you notice any damage? Did it affect future use of the slide. I would appreciate any advice.

Rick

[USMCRET]

Rick, you are the only one who has done that. LOL.

I've done it too, but I was fortunate enough to catch it before anything really bad happened. I've crushed computer bags, brooms, running shoes, you name it, while extending the slides, so slide operations can be the gift that keeps on giving.

I have no lingering effects and over time was able to get my routine down to where I've pretty much idiot-proofed the process, but tomorrow is a different day.

If everything is going in and out now as it should be, just use it as a cheap lesson.

[sartor]

Made this same mistake myself this past week, having just purchased a 2012 Newmar Canyon Star. Thought I'd post my experience, in case it helps someone else.

First made the mistake on Saturday morning, as I tried to put the slide out with the arms locked. Tried a couple of times to put it out, as it moved an inch or so and then stopped. Backed up, tried again, and then finally remembered I'd left the arms locked. Unlocked them, slid it all the way out, and then tried bringing it back and discovered I was having problems getting it to come back in. It would come in a couple of inches and then stop, and I'd go out, in, out, in, and finally after half a dozen tries it finally came all the way in. Then I put it back out.

The next day, I brought it back in again (having a problem getting it to come in at first again), and then discovered that after it was all the way in, the front/bottom corner was still sticking out about two inches (top front, and bottom and top rear corners were all in). I was *sick*, thinking that in extending with the arms locked the day before I had actually *bent* the frame. This made sense, since the locking arms are near the *top* of the slideout, while the drive screws are at the bottom. My reasoning was that the arms held the top locked while the bottom screw pushed the bottom front out a couple inches and bent/warmed the front vertical frame. Resigned myself to thinking I'd have to live with it or pay thousands to get it fixed. Drove about 400 miles, and was hearing a "clunking" sound as well occasionally as we hit bumps, and hadn't heard them before so now I was *really* sick wondering what else I had damaged.

Arrived at the campground Sunday night, went to put the slide out again, and this time it moved a couple of inches and then started going "clunk-clunk-clunk" as it shook up/down without moving out. Pulled it in, tried again, same result. Tried a third time, same result. And then it dawned on my wife and me: we'd done it again! Left the arms locked! We're such idiots!

Unlocked them, pulled it all the way in, and went out to survey the damage, expecting it to now be much worse. And to our great relief and joy, we discovered that it was now FIXED! The bottom front corner was all the way in along with the other three corners, and everything once again appeared to be PERFECT! And no more clunking as we drove home the next day, and it now came in/out with no issues.

So now I believe what happened is the *first* time I screwed it, the bottom front gear had "skipped a tooth," such that it was out of alignment with the rear drive arm, and that's why the bottom front wouldn't get pulled in. And then when I screwed it up the *second* time, I got the *back* to skip a tooth too such that it was now aligned again, and all is right with the world.

So the moral of the story: two wrongs *did* make a right, at least in this instance!

Hope others don't make the same mistake(s) I did!

Tom

[TonyDi]

Having been a USAF pilot and using check lists all the time. I've gotten used to making them up and following them. It's not a big deal to do and can save you a lot of money if you forget to do something, and you now have a big repair bill.

[Longshot308]

We have been very concerned that we too would try to extend the slide with the locks in place. What I do is place a post -it-note over the slide buttons in the cabinet above the door and one over the slide switch in the bedroom. So far so good. I see the sticky note and I know that I have to release the locks.

I cannot take credit for the idea. Saw it on another post, so I thought I would pass along the idea.

Safe Travels,

[rperrym]

Thanks to all for the replies. I too use notes in the cabinet where the front slide switches are, but I guess they need to be over the slide buttons themselves since I ignored the one on the side warning me to release the locks and to move the seat forward. I was distracted getting prepared for the Whirlpool tech who was coming to troubleshoot our frige which just quit cooling.
Another lesson not to let one problem create another larger one. So far don't see any damage or alignment issue, just a gouge in the bar where the cog goes into it.
Rick

[DMTTRANSPORT]

I installed a lockout over the switches along with the "pilot" check list for departure and arrival.

[DAJO]

Just wait until you bring slide in against your drivers seat and see what it does to it.

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by DAJO

Just wait until you bring slide in against your drivers seat and see what it does to it.

Oh Yeah ... that's real treat. The good news in my current coach is that the driver position is far enough forward to not touch the slide. I leave the seat alone !

[dennis45]

Originally Posted by rperrym

Thanks to all for the replies. I too use notes in the cabinet where the front slide switches are, but I guess they need to be over the slide buttons themselves since I ignored the one on the side warning me to release the locks and to move the seat forward. I was distracted getting prepared for the Whirlpool tech who was coming to troubleshoot our frige which just quit cooling.
Another lesson not to let one problem create another larger one. So far don't see any damage or alignment issue, just a gouge in the bar where the cog goes into it.
Rick

Distractions can be expensive. After a couple of miscues, I now do not talk to anyone during disembark or arrivals. DW and I have our designated tasks and go about them with blinders. I have gotten the attention of a few neighbours thinking I was ignoring them and had to apologize. I guess the older I get the more one track my mind gets.

[Longshot308]

Originally Posted by DAJO

Just wait until you bring slide in against your drivers seat and see what it does to it.

The salesman did that when we were viewing the coach. Thank goodness he stopped the slide at once. I like the idea of the checklist, my father used one(Capt USN WWII) and now I know why. My memory is not what it used to be.

[Mike_Harriet]

Check list for me too. Lived on a boat for 10yrs, and know how critical mistakes can embarrass as well as be expensive. Watched a very high dollar yacht attempt to leave his slip one day with his power cord still attached. It was also secured to a dock cleat and onboard cleat. Those things stretch farther than you might think, but when they spring back WOW, much hilarity and damage occurs. Husband and wife each thought other had done it.
I've made a departure board for us now that we RV. Has two rows of holes (one on each side) with golf tees in one side. Rows read 'yes' or 'no' and board is labeled travel ready. In between the holes are the items we need to check. I go through entire board, then hand to DW and she checks it too. Trust but verify. Getting too old to remember everything. Brain is storing too much useless crap!😜


Sent from my iPhone using iRV2 - RV Forum

[mikelm48]

Now you know why I stopped using the slide locks. No issues without them.

[DMTTRANSPORT]

Originally Posted by mikelm48

Now you know why I stopped using the slide locks. No issues without them.

Mine like to rattle....