Community Forums

RMD3819 · 01-13-2018, 08:07 AM

We are in a Costco parking lot in Kentucky where we hunkered down for the snowstorm.

Unfortunately we left our full wall slide out and now the slide topper mechanism appears frozen. The slide goes in and out OK but the topper doesn't roll up.

The temps won't be above freezing today or tomorrow and we are due in Nappanee (Newmar factory) Monday.

Ideas?

aether_one · 01-13-2018, 08:09 AM

Pots of warm water?

RMD3819 · 01-13-2018, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tfryman

Pots of warm water?

That's on our try list. Problem is it is so cold it won't be all that hot when applied.

We are going to try windshield deicer. Hopefully Costco sells it.

srh · 01-13-2018, 08:21 AM

What about turning your generator on, get a heavy duty hair dryer and use it where you think it is frozen? All you would probably need is to break the initial ice. May consider gently pushing on the slide as you try to bring it in. Make sure to clean any snow from around and on the awning, if any.
Good Luck!

Cooperhawk · 01-13-2018, 08:22 AM

Depending how cold it is, salt. Get some ice melt and sprinkle it on the ice but be sure to rinse it off when you get to warmer climes.

However with temps in the lower teens salt doesn't always work. Then hot salt water.

chuckster52 · 01-13-2018, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMD3819

We are in a Costco parking lot in Kentucky where we hunkered down for the snowstorm.

Unfortunately we left our full wall slide out and now the slide topper mechanism appears frozen. The slide goes in and out OK but the topper doesn't roll up.

The temps won't be above freezing today or tomorrow and we are due in Nappanee (Newmar factory) Monday.

Ideas?

with wife working the slide in button....tap fairly lightly on the end caps of the roller tube...when I say Lightly.....so you don't dent the roller tube....
what should happen is the side you are tapping will free up...then open again and go tpo other side..should free up and go in..
won't say hoe I learned this...C

vsheetz · 01-13-2018, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srh

What about turning your generator on, get a heavy duty hair dryer and use it where you think it is frozen? All you would probably need is to break the initial ice. May consider gently pushing on the slide as you try to bring it in. Make sure to clean any snow from around and on the awning, if any.
Good Luck!

I was thinking the same thing.

tcg · 01-13-2018, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooperhawk

Depending how cold it is, salt. Get some ice melt and sprinkle it on the ice but be sure to rinse it off when you get to warmer climes.

However with temps in the lower teens salt doesn't always work. Then hot salt water.

Pure calcium chloride wile melt ice in much colder temps and it rinses away or evaporates much easier.

Budman199 · 01-13-2018, 09:12 AM

I would not try hot water. If it doesn't work at the temps you'll just end up with more ice issues. IMHO.
I would go with the spray deicer and hair dryer on the topper end caps. Thx, Dennis.

fottip · 01-13-2018, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srh

May consider gently pushing on the slide as you try to bring it in.

It's already "in".

You apparently didn't read the OP's statement "The slide goes in and out OK but the topper doesn't roll up."

TripleEEE · 01-13-2018, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMD3819

We are in a Costco parking lot in Kentucky where we hunkered down for the snowstorm.

Unfortunately we left our full wall slide out and now the slide topper mechanism appears frozen. The slide goes in and out OK but the topper doesn't roll up.

The temps won't be above freezing today or tomorrow and we are due in Nappanee (Newmar factory) Monday.

Ideas?

Boil a kettle of water and pour it on the ends of the topper slide roller.
It will stay warm enough to retract the slide if you don't take too long.

Been there, done that, living in the frozen North my whole life.

tcg · 01-13-2018, 09:15 AM

Head down to the local home center and get some pipe heat tape. Lay it down and plug it in. Shouldn't get hot enough to melt anything but the ice.

Or a as was suggested a hairdryer or a couple cheap heaters you can plug in and wait inside for them to work.

sbleiweiss · 01-13-2018, 09:15 AM

What about just tapping on the frozen slide topper? if this is fabric, shouldn't the ice crack up and either fall off or at least be broken enough to roll up?