Slides - let 'em breathe !

[Dav L]

Pretty surprised that the RV is so air tight that the relatively slow movement of a slide compresses the interior air. Haven't noticed any issue with mine. But I see lots of air gap when the slide is in an intermediate position.

[Rickinnocal]

Originally Posted by brucev

If you've got a Thor, it won't matter. Ours has very, very, very poor insulation and seals.

Q: "How do you get 24 clowns into a Ford?"

A: "Through the gaps in the weatherproofing."

[wildtoad]

This makes a lot of sense especially if a FWS. Just think about the volume of air that needs to fill the area where the slide was. Same issue on retract. The air needs to go somewhere and in a hurry.

[Wild Card]

Originally Posted by Dav L

Pretty surprised that the RV is so air tight that the relatively slow movement of a slide compresses the interior air. Haven't noticed any issue with mine. But I see lots of air gap when the slide is in an intermediate position.

Like breathing through a straw. Breath slow of fast the air transfer is not enough to keep you from suffocation.

[Gary RVRoamer]

I could tell the difference on our American Tradition if a door or window wasn't open. Air still squeezed in around the slide seals as it moved, but the sound was different. If I stopped and opened a window or the entry door, it sounded as though it was running easier. Still moved, regardless.


I think this is one of those "best practices" that is of little or no practical effect. Manufacturers throw a lot of that sort of thing in their owner manuals, mostly as a measure that can't hurt and just maybe covers their butt if some weird things goes wrong.

[Wayne M]

Originally Posted by Triple H

My manual says to:

To Extend or Retract Slide Rooms:
z Clean the floor of dirt or grit that could result in damage during operation.
z Confirm there is enough clearance inside/outside the motorhome for the room to extend/retract.
z Allow at least five feet of clearance to extend the slideout.
z Move the driver and passenger seat forward to clear slideout room fascia.
z Apply the park brake.
z Start the engine.
z Level the motorhome using the hydraulic
leveling jack system.
z Turn off the engine.
z Confirm the house batteries are fully charged and
interior house power is on.
z Open a window or vent to equalize pressure
during slideout operation

That is great for a Fleetwood.

Goes to say that 'most' of my posts say to check the owners manual. In my Winnebago manual it does not say anything about opening a window. I'm sure it is a good practice though, and if someone has experimented with their systems and it works then it is most likely the proper thing to do.

Although we have many similarities in or motorhomes, not all manufacturer's are the same. I suggest everyone read their owner's manual.

If opening a window is your manufacturer's recommendation, or if it is not but you have tried it and it works, it sure is not going to be troublesome to open a window.

Sorry for the rant!

[Dougsee3]

I do not know what CFM the slide would produce when it is moving but, the average 12 ft slide 5.5 ft high, is 9504 sq inches.

At 1/8 of pound of PSI that would be 1188 lbs of force on the slide wall
At 1/16 PSI that would be 594 lbs of force.

With the air leakage i could see at least half to 1/4 of these forces.

I have not tried but a bet if pushed from the outside I could possible apply 200 pounds of force and i think you would hear that on the slide motors load as well.

So a window or door open seems as it could really help with your slides load, and maybe make them last longer.

[Jzack]

I have noticed that our slides sometimes move fast, sometimes slow. I came to the conclusion that it had to do with being hooked up to shore power, and or having the genset running to supplement the batteries.

The door/window thing is interesting though. Maybe that's what the difference was all along? Something to test out next season for sure.

[grindstone01]

Whenever I move my slides, I have as much power available as possible, the truck power hooked up and running along with the shore power hooked up.
The air pressure effect sounds interesting, I will try the door open next time.

[Podivin]

Originally Posted by Jzack

I have noticed that our slides sometimes move fast, sometimes slow. I came to the conclusion that it had to do with being hooked up to shore power, and or having the genset running to supplement the batteries.

The door/window thing is interesting though. Maybe that's what the difference was all along? Something to test out next season for sure.

It SEEMS to me that the slides move faster when the air is allowed to move more easily. But I've never timed it so I can't say for sure, it's just a subjective "I think it is" type of thing. I KNOW the motors sound like they are under less strain, I THINK it moves faster also.

[Blaster]

It makes a big difference on our Pace Arrow, I always open the door or window when going out or in, and the book says to do it.

[49Deluxe]

Wow! I’ve had slides on several campers but never thought of this. I’m going to start letting them breathe!

[Ray,IN]

From the text of some replies, it's a wonder someone hasn't blown/sucked out a window

[Wild Card]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

From the text of some replies, it's a wonder someone hasn't blown/sucked out a window

They most likely have already. Its the threads that start with how do I repair this delamination from this window leak