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Last Updated on August 22, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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RV Slide Goes Out But Not In Troubleshooting Tips
The “RV Slide Goes Out But Not In” issue is a common problem experienced by many recreational vehicle owners. This can cause significant inconvenience, especially during travel or when the RV needs to be stored. Understanding the reasons behind this issue is crucial for effective troubleshooting and ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free RV experience.
- Check Power Source: Ensure the RV is connected to a reliable power source.
- Inspect Switch: Test switch continuity or try a different switch.
- Obstructions Check: Inspect the slideout for visible obstructions.
- Lubricate Mechanism: Apply suitable lubricant.
- Inspect Motor/Hydraulic System: Check for damage or leaks.
If there is one thing every RVer should have in their RV, it is a rudimentary toolset. It does not matter if your hands know their way around the inner workings of an RV or they would get lost. Eventually, you’ll have to roll your sleeves up to sort something out with your RV.
This article addresses why your RV slide goes out but is not retracting. This is a common issue, so you are bound to find a solution that works for you. However, before troubleshooting the problem, we must first discuss what an RV slide is.
What is a Slide Out?
RV Slides were first created in the 90s. At the time, RV manufacturers only fitted one slideout wall; however, when they became trendy, RV brands added more walls to their overall length and width.
A slide is a unique RV section that slides out, offering you additional living space. This little extra space could mean having more room for everyone or having everyone in the RV be on top of each other throughout the camping trip.
Types of Slideouts
It is possible to get two different slideout types from RV manufacturers. They both, in essence, do the same thing; one is powered using hydraulics while the other is electrically powered.
The two systems both have their advantages and disadvantages. Having a slideout in your RV means you must be even more vigilant.
You must know two significant issues when using an RV with at least one slideout.
The first thing would be to ensure they work correctly when the RV is purchased or rented.
Secondly, you have to make sure the RV parks or campgrounds you go to have enough space for you to use the slideouts.
How Slide Outs Function
There should be no issue when you press the button to slide your RV’s walls out. Typically, with an electric version, you must ensure the RV has enough electricity to power the slideout motors.
Additionally, you should ensure that all bearings are adequately greased. If these two items are checked, you have to turn the motor on and press the control panel’s buttons to move that particular section out.
Generally, electricity-powered slideouts are driven by gears and are found on the lighter, smaller sections. There shouldn’t be an issue if the slideout walls aren’t overloaded.
Slideouts powered by hydraulics are typically found on heavier and larger versions that use a pump or motor to move a slideout into its expanded position.
This type is a bit more mechanically complicated compared to the electrical version. The two systems have advantages and disadvantages. However, their role is to move the wall out.
Fixing a Stuck RV Slide
The first step would be to find out the problem’s root. With this as your goal, a couple of things have to be done to help determine the cause. This essential checklist should help you not only save money but also time.
Generally, the issue turns out to be something fundamental almost anyone can sort out. Nevertheless, if you cannot fix the problem yourself, you could still run through the checklist, which is excellent.
This is partly because mechanics specializing in fixing RVs do not come cheap, and trying to figure out what the problem is will burn into the mechanic’s expensive time.
We should conduct a simple test to discover the causes before moving on to other complicated items.
It does not matter if your slideout mechanism is powered by electricity or hydraulics; the slideout wall will still need power from your RV’s battery.
If you press the switch and no movement or sound happens, the electrical system is the first place to begin testing.
1. Battery
Camping with your RV can cause your batteries to drain quickly, forcing them to get old and eventually have to be changed. As stated earlier, the first steps of this troubleshooting checklist will be simple.
A defective battery or not performing as it should due to age could cause your slideout wall to retract. There is a surefire way to find out if it is the battery.
It would be best if you tried to turn the RV on. If the RV comes in, then the battery is fine. This means the battery is not the source of the issue.
If the battery does not start, you should inspect the battery’s terminals for corrosion caused by an accumulation of leaked electrolytes.
A great way to know if this corrosion is what you see is by the color of the gunk. It should be blue and white.
It might not seem like much, but this gunk can be enough to sever the RV’s connection to the battery.
Thankfully, this gunk can be cleaned using baking soda, which neutralizes the acid mixed with water to act as a solvent and a brush to scrub.
2. Fuse
Regarding the electrical fastenings in an RV, the fuse box is the first port of call. Typically, your RV’s fuse box should have a manual with a diagram that would let you seamlessly pick out the correct fuse that control’s the wall slides.
If the fuse is burnt, you still have to replace it. You should know that a fuse is typically designed to stop the connected appliance from getting damaged; in this situation, the slideouts break.
Please do not make the mistake of replacing it with a fuse that is rated for a much higher voltage. Should the changed fuse break, then you must seek the help of a specialized RV mechanic, as something else might be wrong.
3. JST Connector
A JST power cable connects your RV’s motor and the slideout compartment. Sometimes, the female and male ends of the wires might get pulled away from each other when the slideout compartment is extended outward.
This issue is not a complex one. Nevertheless, it can be a lot of work to have the connectors go back together simply because of how hard it is to access them.
4. Bad Switch
While this isn’t as common as other issues, switches controlling slideout compartments can sometimes go wrong. If the RV has numerous slideout compartments and just one is faulty, then it could be that the switch is at fault.
You should run tests to determine if the control switch is terrible by swapping the suspected bad switch with one of the good ones. If this sorts out your stuck slideout, then you know it’s just the switch, and all you need to do is replace it.
5. Chewed wiring
It is essential that the wiring is checked. First, indirect the endpoints given that most issues tend to gain there. However, the whole line should not be neglected.
Rodents, on occasion, tend to use the tubes and wires to sharpen their tooth by chasing them, making every section of the wire liable to damage.
6. Obstructions
Inspect the path the slideout compartment takes. It might not seem like it, but tiny objects can obstruct the compartment if lodged in the gears or tracks, preventing the slideout compartment from returning.
This is a safety feature that has been designed into the RV. It will stop once the motor powering the slideout wall meets with too much resistance.
That being said, more oversized items can also cause an issue. However, you will likely notice those items and remove them before they become an issue that causes you to troubleshoot your slideout compartments.
You should check for objects when you hear the motor having issues or struggling,
7. Slide Out Misalignment
While it is rare that these compartments become misaligned, it can still happen. Should this be the case, you’ll most likely see that the compartment is not parallel to the RV, or there should be telltale signs of physical damage.
If the compartment’s mechanisms are acceptable, but something still seems wrong, then it might be a more severe issue, such as the chassis of the RV needing realignment. This will have to be done by an expert RV mechanic.
8. Hydraulic Leaks
A great way to know if you have a hydraulic leak is to check the hydraulic fluid reservoir. Sometimes, these systems develop leaks due to high pressure, pushing against the weakest point.
You must investigate if the reservoir shows that your RV’s hydraulic fluid is low. Search for any puddles in and around your RV.
9. Slide Out Locks
If you haven’t heard of slideout locks before, they can be described as extendable bars that brace the top part of the slideout compartment in place.
Should these locks not be present, the mechanical pads would hold the bottom parts of the slideout wall. However, the top part would not be as snug as it should be.
It is the job of the locks to correct this, and it is typically a great purchase as it helps to improve the wall’s seals. The locks also act as safety mechanisms as they prevent the compartment from sliding out while you are in the toad.
It can be so easy not to consider that these locks could be the culprit since they’re never actively used by an RV owner.
10. Manual Override
When everything else fails, you must implement a manual override regardless of whether your slideout system is electric or hydraulic. To do this, you must disconnect the brake so the slider can move.
Look for the owner’s manual and follow the steps to trigger the manual override. The manual will usually tell you the tools you need and the location of said components.
What is the Best Lubricant for RV Slides?
Selecting the suitable lubricant is critical to ensuring your RV’s slide mechanisms function effectively, enhancing longevity and performance.
Based on extensive research and user reviews, the top lubricants are 3-IN-ONE RVcare Slideout Silicone Lube, Protect All Slideout Dry Lube Protectant and CRC Power Lube Industrial High-Performance Lubricant.
These lubricants are designed to protect, waterproof, and prevent rust, ensuring smoother operation.
- The 3-IN-ONE RVcare is known for its quick-drying, long-lasting formula that resists dirt.
- Protect All Slideout Dry Lube: this is unique for its fast-drying, transparent protective film.
- CRC Power Lube: offers versatility for different slide materials like metal, wood, rubber, and plastic.
However, their effectiveness can vary based on your RV’s model and the environmental conditions.
Final Words
If your RV slide goes out but not in, several potential issues might need to be addressed. Firstly, ensure that the RV is connected to a reliable power source.
This is crucial as the slide mechanism requires enough power to operate efficiently. If the RV is not receiving adequate power, the slide may go out but not retract back in.
Secondly, you need to inspect the switch responsible for the operation of the slide. Test for switch continuity or try using a different switch to identify if the problem lies here.
Additionally, an essential step in resolving this issue is to check for visible obstructions in the slideout. Any hindrance can obstruct the smooth operation of the slideout mechanism.
Thirdly, remember to lubricate the mechanism regularly. Applying a suitable lubricant can help ensure smooth operation and avoid any unnecessary friction that may cause the slideout to become stuck.
Lastly, inspect the motor or hydraulic system of your RV slideout. Check for any damages or leaks which can cause operational issues.
By systematically checking each area, you should be able to diagnose and rectify why your RV slide goes out but not in.
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