Owning an RV can be plenty of fun, but it can also be a huge responsibility. The price tag that comes along with RV issues is often quite hefty. When your unit malfunctions, it can be difficult to spot what’s wrong without the help of a professional. The best way to avoid the headaches that come along with owning an RV is to focus on preventing issues before they occur.

RV slide out problems are one of the most common mechanical malfunctions in RVs. When your RV doesn’t slide out, there isn’t much you can do to save your camping trip. Although problematic, RV slides are almost always necessary. Without their ability to create extra width inside your camper, your vacations would be pretty cramped. RV slide out problems are common, so we gathered some info on how they happen and what you can do to prevent them.

Assess and Prevent RV Slide Out Problems

How RV Slide Outs Work

RV slide outs have become an industry standard for almost every type of unit — motorized and towable. Since the late 90’s, almost every RV has included at least one slide to increase the livable space on the inside of your camper. There are different types of RV slide outs, but most use electric motors or hydraulics to operate.

Electric RV slide outs use a rack and pinion, or pulley and cable, system powered by an electric motor. The motor spins a shaft or pinion which moves the slide in one direction, and adding a gear allows it to slide in the opposite direction. The electric motor uses a 12-volt DC power, which runs directly off the main house battery.  This makes them usable when you’re not plugged into a power source at the campground.

Though less common, some RV slide outs use pull and cable systems. Others use the well-known Schwintek slides. Finally, though very rare, a few units are equipped with the power gear slide out system. The rack and pinion, however, is by far the most common slide out system, so that’s what we’re focusing on today.

Common Problems

The top five reasons for a slide out malfunction are lubrication issues, motor burnout, power issues, foreign objects and leaks. Some are easily treatable on your own, but others will need professional attention from RV service technicians.

Lubrication Issues

Likely the most common slide out problem, a lack of proper lubrication results in your RV slide having issues smoothly moving in and out. This is often an easy fix with a lubricating product like WD-40’s RVcare line, which we’ll discuss later. Be careful not to force a slide that needs lubrication as you can damage the rail system and make the situation much worse.

Motor Burnout & Power Issues

Another common culprit, motor burnout occurs when the motor that moved the slide in and out stops functioning. Somewhat similarly, power issues occur when your slide out can’t pull power from your RV, or your RV isn’t properly connected to a power source. This isn’t as easy to fix on your own, so you’re better off scheduling an RV service appointment for professional help.

Other Issues

Finally, leaks and foreign objects will prevent your RV slide out from functioning properly. Anything blocking the slides or interfering with their movement can cause slide out issues. It’s best to assess the situation and then decide if you need to call a professional. If you aren’t confident that you can repair the leak or remove the object, it’s probably best to find an RV technician. You may end up making the issue worse, which will only drive up the cost of a fix.

Manual RV Slide Out Overrides

If you’re stranded at a campground with a stuck RV slide out, consider manually moving the slide in or out. Your RV should come with an owner’s manual, which has more unit-specific instructions on manually moving a slide out.

RV slide outs move with simple rack and pinion technology. Overall, troubleshooting and preventing RV slide out problems doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow our advice to keep your unit functioning well and save yourself a few headaches and canceled vacations. If you have no choice, manually moving your RV slide out is an option, though difficult.

If you continue to have RV slide out problems, bring your unit by Juniata Valley RV. Our friendly and experienced service staff can assess the issue and make the repairs that get you back on the road as soon as possible. If you’re ready to make a change, our sales staff would be happy to help you find a new or used RV ready to leave the lot today. Stop by our Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, location, contact us online or give us a call today if you have any questions about our RV sales or service.