How to damage your slide

C42 · 06-05-2023, 06:49 AM

Just wanted to confirm something that a gentleman who was outlining his maintenance expenses for his RV noted.

He said that he "damaged the slide by stepping on it while it was pulled inside". I would have thought that the slide would actually be somewhat more supported when it is retracted.

Is it accurate that stepping into the slide area will damaged the slide? (I have a Greyhawk 29GS with a J-steel couch in the slide area...and would prefer to use it as an office/desk space. But, not being able to have someone in that area when it is pulled in (even to sit on the sofa)...is an issue it would be good to have clarity on...

Thanks,

Chana

Grumpy · 06-05-2023, 06:56 AM

Depending on which rig, but wife and i use to sit at the dinette for lunch at a rest area all the time when traveling also passengers sat on the couch while we traveled, never an issue. (Class C, Super C and Fifth Wheels)

Marcm157 · 06-05-2023, 07:45 AM

I would think it is OK in a motorhome as they are meant to be travelled in.

On all my travel trailers when the slide was retracted the slide floor was raised at a slight angle above the solid trailer floor. When stepped on it flexed quite a bit. So I would think that if done enough, and for prolonged periods of time some damage could occur.

CAG · 06-05-2023, 08:07 AM

From the search feature at the top of the page.

https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f...-in-42645.html

pconroy · 06-05-2023, 08:38 AM

Last consensus I saw from manufacturers said "true for travel trailers, usually not true for motorhomes" for reasons listed above.

Tunce the traveler · 06-05-2023, 10:03 AM

When I’m traveling on the road with the slide in or parked at home I keep a wedge under the center edge of my 11’ slide. My slide sits up about 1-1/2 to 2” above the floor so this wedge keeps it from bowing. When traveling I tape it to the floor to prevent it from moving out of place.

JimD · 06-05-2023, 10:13 AM

Sit on it all the time in my Greyhawk with no problems. I would assume it is perfectly acceptable as there are seat belts on the couch and dinette. Don't think it would be required to extend the slide while driving in order to use the seatbelts.

Forester2 · 06-05-2023, 10:18 AM

The feet on my couch ride about a 1/2" above the floor and definetly flex to the floor when sat apon whether slide is in or out. This I believe is the cause of the armrest failures reported on 166FBSs.

bill_k · 06-05-2023, 12:01 PM

My Melbourne 24K comes with seatbelts in the dining area. If they didn't want you to sit there in transit, why put seatbelts in there? My wife and I have sat there both in transit and stopped with the slide all the way in and never had a problem...

Marine71-76 · 06-05-2023, 12:08 PM

For those with seatbelts, there shouldn't be a problem.

In our previous 5ver tech guy at the dealership had to do some work inside the unit. The very first thing when we picked up the unit - emphasis provided - DO NOT STEP ON THE SLIDE EDGE WHILE IN. Wow. He explained that some of the slides have flimsy ends to be more flexible when going in/out. And that flimsy piece weakens when stepped on.

**Crabman** · 06-05-2023, 01:51 PM

On some large slides when the slide is in there is no support for the floor of the slide on the edge. If walked on it could pull the screws loose from the wall and drop the floor an inch or so on the unsupported inside of the slide floor.

bucko · 06-05-2023, 02:13 PM

For my 2005, the large slide has two wedge jacks that are installed at the top of the slide to assist in keeping the slide firm against the wall while traveling. My wife has laid down on the couch to nap while I drive. She has never complained about the slide or couch moving around.

Only my driving does she complain about, so I like it when she takes a nap.

Smitty814 · 06-12-2023, 10:36 AM

Motorhome slides are designed to be used when in or out. Most motorhome seats in slides have seatbelts so they can be used in transit. Trailer slides have to be out to be used. They are designed and manufactured completely differently.

CAG · 06-12-2023, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smitty814

Motorhome slides are designed to be used when in or out. Most motorhome seats in slides have seatbelts so they can be used in transit. Trailer slides have to be out to be used. They are designed and manufactured completely differently.

Ok, absolutely no offense here but without some documentation to back it up that is just another “I read it on the Internet”. It sounds good but where do we find the backup info?

**norty1** · 06-12-2023, 02:12 PM

We have been using our dinette slide when on the road for 12 years when we stop to eat on the road. We do not step on the edge that is raised but rest of ours is solid.

Jagiven · 06-12-2023, 02:41 PM

I have heard a wide variety of answers to this questions.

We have a small slide and we sit on it closed all the time. We rented a few MHs, that had seatbelts in the dinette which was in a slide.

Personally, I would find out exactly which slide you have, so you can discuss your slide.

Smitty814 · 06-12-2023, 03:16 PM

No offense taken. Have read it in trailer manuals. Clearly stated to not sit in the slide when the slide is in. Josh the RV Nerd from Bish's RV did a great video about it on You Tube. Just search for Josh the RV Nerd on You Tube and he does a great job explaining the difference in how the slides are made. Understand, this is not meant to be a hit on towables, just a difference in how they are made. I also should have read the original post closer, thought they were discussing a trailer and not a class C.

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