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Last Updated on October 7, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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How To Fix Keystone RV Slide Out Problems
As an owner of a Keystone RV, you may have encountered a problem with its slide-outs. Believe it or not, Keystone RV slide-out problems seem relatively common, but it isn’t easy to find a solution.
Key Takeaways:
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- Common Slide-Out Problems: The most frequent Keystone RV slide-out issues include insufficient power, foreign objects blocking the mechanism, damage to the rail system, inadequate lubrication, and leaks.
- Troubleshooting Power Issues: Slide-outs heavily rely on electrical systems, and common problems like weak batteries, blown fuses, or lousy wiring can prevent proper operation.
- Foreign Objects and Rail Damage: Blockages caused by debris or damaged rails can restrict slide-out movement. Checking and removing foreign objects is essential, but be cautious as they may cause further damage.
- Lubrication and Sealing: Proper lubrication of the slide-out moving parts can prevent motor overloading and wear. Seals should also be maintained to avoid leaks.
- Electric vs. Hydraulic Systems: Electric slide-outs are simpler and easier to fix, with problems often revolving around the gear or shear pins. While more powerful, hydraulic systems are prone to leaks and fluid level issues, making them harder to repair.
- DIY Repairs: The RV owner can often do simple issues like power, foreign objects, or minor mechanical fixes. However, hydraulic systems or complex alignment issues should be handled by professionals.
Every RV owner must be able to troubleshoot and resolve Keystone RV slide-out problems. This guide provides comprehensive instructions on how to fix these problems.
These issues can range from slide-outs not extending or retracting properly to more complex problems involving the electrical or hydraulic systems. You can ensure your RV’s functionality and longevity with the right knowledge and tools.
So, whether you’re a seasoned RVer or new to recreational vehicles, this guide will equip you with the tools to tackle any slide-out problem your Keystone RV might present.
The 5 Common Reasons Slide Outs Have Problems
- Insufficient power
- Foreign objects
- Damage to the rail system
- Insufficient lubrication
- Leaks
If you happen to be looking for a direction (or maybe even a solution) for your problem, then this material may be able to help you whether you have a Keystone RV or an RV from any other manufacturer.
Keystone RV Slide-Out Problems
This video has been included to clarify the topic. Credit goes to RV Lifestyle & Repair
First, let’s begin our guide with general issues that can happen in any slide-out, no matter its moving mechanism.
If spotted early, these issues are usually easier and cheaper to resolve. But if you allow them to cause damage to the driving mechanism of the slide-out, the repair may be much costlier.
Many things could damage RV slide-out systems, and it isn’t possible to foresee every single one. Because of this, we’d like to discuss the five most common causes of problems in slide-outs, regardless of their type.
Generally, when dealing with slide-out problems in your RV, you shouldn’t just assume that it must be the motor or the pump system that has gone bad. Sometimes, things are much simpler than that. If the issue in the slide-out is caused by something outside of its driving system, then replacing a valve or a shear pin won’t solve the problem.
Thus, before assuming that the worst has happened and that you need to replace the slide-out motor, ensure that the cause of the issue isn’t something much simpler and easier to treat.
Insufficient power
Slide-outs rely on an electrical power supply to extend and retract. And probably one of the first things you’d suspect to have gone wrong with your RV’s slide-out is its power supply system.
Your slide-out power supply system could have gone wrong—there may be bad wiring, a weak battery, or a blown fuse. To determine whether or not your power supply system is fine, make sure to test all its components.
Foreign objects
If your slide-out is stuck in place due to a foreign object, you can consider yourself lucky or unlucky.
Issues caused by foreign objects are arguably easier to resolve since they 
usually aren’t associated with damage in the slide-outs or their driving systems. You can remove the foreign object and use your slide-out with no issues.
When encountering an issue with your RV’s slide-out, you should first figure out whether it was caused by something stuck between the slide-out and the RV’s body. If you can find nothing, then the issue is somewhere else.
Even if you find a branch or any other foreign object, don’t celebrate your success just yet since a stranded branch may have caused more significant problems to the slide out. For example, the motor unit, trying to overcome the resistance of the branch, may have drawn more power and overloaded itself.
So continue to troubleshoot your slide-outs to determine whether they have other issues.
Damage to the rail system
Damage to the rail system is a more or less common cause of issues in the slide-out movement. If the rail gets bent or twisted, the slide-out driving mechanism may experience difficulties moving the slide-out or might be unable to move it altogether. This can be a problem even if your slide-out mechanism is excellent.
Issues with the rail system may also cause the slide out to lose proper alignment or levelness with the ground, a serious problem that needs to be addressed.
So, after you’ve checked for foreign objects in the slide-out system, inspect the rail system. Once again, if you discover any issues, don’t stop there; continue troubleshooting.
Insufficient lubrication
Since slide-out mechanisms have many moving parts, they require proper lubrication occasionally. If you fail to keep the slide-out mechanism lubricated, you will sooner or later encounter issues with it.
If you discover a lubrication issue early, you may be lucky not to deal with the consequences of wear and increased strain on the motor due to friction. In the worst-case scenario, you may have to deal with a worn-out rail system and a motor damaged from overloading.
Leaks
The problems described above relate to difficulties extending and retracting the slide out. A leaking slide-out doesn’t necessarily have difficulties with movement, but it will likely have trouble keeping the interior of the slide-out protected from outdoor elements.
RVs usually come with their slide-outs sealed out of the dealership. However, as time passes, the seals become less durable and can allow moisture to get in, whether in an extended position or not.
If you suspect a leak in your RV’s slide-out, treat both sides of the old seal with a new sealing solution. Many sealants are available, so do some more research to determine which one is right for you.
Problems specific to slide-out types
Whether or not you’ve discovered any of the issues above in your RV’s slide-out, you should also inspect their driving mechanism. As mentioned above, a minor issue could cause more severe problems in the slide-out mechanism if left untreated for a long time.
This video has been included to clarify the topic. Credit goes to AZ Expert
There are two common types of slide-out mechanisms: electric and hydraulic. While they are both susceptible to the issues described above, they also have a few other specific problems.
Electric slide out
Electric slide-outs, driven by a motor and gear system, are often found on smaller RVs. This can cause problems.
Typically, here are the issues that electric slide-outs are prone to having:
- Malfunctioning in the gear system, primarily due to wear – the motor runs, but the gears don’t move to move the slide out.
- Issues with the shear pin on the main gear. Again, even if the motor is fully functional, a wrong shear pin cannot move the slide out. This problem is relatively easy to solve by just replacing the shear pin.
- Motor overload usually happens due to drag in the slide-out caused by objects that don’t belong there and bent or otherwise damaged rails. When faced with such resistance, the motor is forced to draw excess current, which could ultimately damage it.
Electric slide-outs are usually easier to repair than hydraulic systems since they have a simpler build. Most importantly, there aren’t any fluids or leaks that you have to deal with in electric slide-outs.
Hydraulic slide out
Instead of a motor and gear system, hydraulic slide-outs, as suggested by their name, employ pumps to trigger a hydraulic ram to move the slide-outs.
Hydraulic slide-outs are more complex and powerful than their electric counterparts, which is why they are mainly used in larger RVs. Sometimes, they have enough power to move more than one slide.
With these benefits come several weaknesses, the most important of which are:
- Possible leaks due to damaged valves, pumps, etc. If the fluid level in the system is lower than necessary, the fluid pressure won’t be sufficient to move the slide-outs.
- The pump malfunctions due to a low fluid level. In this case, the fluid cannot go where it should.
- Susceptibility to wear, friction, heat.
Maintaining and repairing a hydraulic slide-out is quite difficult, so if you suspect a problem, you should have a professional fix it.
Should you fix your slide-out yourself?
After you’ve evaluated the condition of your RV slide-outs, you may wonder whether you should fix the issues yourself. Well, the answer to this question is simple – if you aren’t confident you can do it, don’t.
Many issues in slide-outs require a trained eye. One such issue is a loss of alignment.
If your slide-out operates on a hydraulic driving system, do not attempt to fix it alone. Hydraulic pumps operate on high pressure, and any wrong move could be disastrous for you and your RV.
If you don’t have the knowledge, tools, or confidence to deal with the slide-out issue yourself, take your RV to a professional service center.
This video has been included to clarify the topic. Credit goes to RV Inspection And Care
Related Sile Out Questions
Why is my RV slide not closing completely?
If you ask, “Why is my RV slide not closing completely?” There are several possible causes. The most common is a lack of power, as most RV slides operate on a 12-volt system. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure your batteries have sufficient power.
If the batteries are low, engage your generator to recharge the house batteries.
After recharging, try closing the slides again. If the issue persists and you have a slide controller, try resetting it by disconnecting its power and data cables. This should resolve the problem of your RV slide not closing completely.
Can you manually close an RV slide out?
Yes, you can manually close an RV slide out. It is designed with the capability of manual retraction, primarily as a contingency measure. If the RV slide is partially or fully extended and becomes stuck, driving the RV to a service center for repair would be impossible.
Consequently, the manual closure function is a crucial safety feature, ensuring the vehicle remains mobile and operable under such circumstances. Therefore, manually retracting the slide-out is essential for every RV owner.
Where is the slide controller on an RV?
When locating the slide controller on an RV, there are a few key areas to check. The main wall slide controllers are typically housed in an under-floor compartment, positioned high on the side towards the vehicle’s rear. This location allows for easy access and efficient operation.
In contrast, the bunk controller is generally found in a compartment above the driver’s head. This placement saves space and provides convenient reach for the driver. Familiarizing yourself with these locations is essential to ensuring the smooth operation of your RV’s features.
Wrapping Up
Fixing Keystone RV Slide-out Problems can be challenging, but it is certainly achievable with the correct knowledge and tools. The process involves identifying the problem, whether it’s a malfunctioning motor, misaligned slide-out, or jammed mechanism.
Once the issue has been identified, the next step is to gather the necessary tools and parts for repair. It’s always recommended to refer to the RV’s manual or consult an expert to ensure you’re on the right track.
How To Fix Keystone RV Slide-Out Problems may seem daunting initially. Still, with patience and persistence, you can restore the functionality of your RV’s slide-out and continue enjoying your road trips without hindrance. Regular maintenance can prevent many of these issues from occurring in the first place, so keeping a regular check on your RV’s slide-out mechanisms is beneficial.
Lastly, safety must always be ensured during repair to avoid accidents and further damage.
