Passenger side slide derailed?

N8WOL

Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2013
Posts
19
Location
Indianapolis
So you know the problem from the post subject, but you need to know how it got that way. Here's the story.

I have a 2010 Designer 35rlsa 5er. The carpet in the living area has gotten disgusting, so I set out to replace it. I stabilized the trailer and then put the opposing slides out to expose the whole floor so I could remove the offending carpet. After removing the central portion I moved the slides in about a foot so I could get to all the corners. The carpet, linoleum, & staples were removed. With the entire wood sub-floor exposed, I thoroughly cleaned & vacuumed the whole floor.

Satisfied with the job & out of time for the day, I put in the drive'rs side slide, no problem. When I tried to retract the passenger side slide, the rear started moving, but the front didn't. I tried moving it in & out a few inches several times, but both ends of the slide would not move together. I can hear the motor running when I press the retract button, but no joy.

Finally I went outside & by bracing against my car parked along side, I was able to physically push the slide almost all the way in. This means the slide was not engaging the gears on the retract mechanism, I assume.

Could removing the carpet & pad (maybe 3/8 inch thickness) have allowed the inside edge of the slide to ride down on the now naked floor and release the slide from the gears? What now? flooring with 1/16 inch thick vinyl wont raise it back up to where it once was. Help!?

Gary
 
I have had a very similar problem on my rig which was easily fixed. I was the same symptoms and has happened 3 times and had nothing to do with removing carpet.

Find the access panel under the slide out, it should be near the middle of the slide and remove the panel. Look at the slide motor/ gearbox closely. It has a shaft coming out of each side that attaches to a 1 inch bar that extends out to the slide drive gear. The bolt that attaches the shaft to the gear box sheared off on one side. All you need to do if the bolt is sheared is to replace it.
 
Thanks. That was exactly the problem. Replaced the bolts and slide works fine. Got extra bolts in case it happens again.
 
Yup. Grade 8 like the ones that came out of it. Bought spares to keep in my toolbox on board, too.
 
Yup. Grade 8 like the ones that came out of it. Bought spares to keep in my toolbox on board, too.

What size bolts did you get.
Sounds like a good idea to pick up some to keep in the tool box.

Thanks
 
I tore out the lino & carpet and replaced with vinyl plank flooring from the back wall to the steps. We love the look and with dogs on board it should be easier to keep clean.

G
 
I tore out the lino & carpet and replaced with vinyl plank flooring from the back wall to the steps. We love the look and with dogs on board it should be easier to keep clean.

G
The vinyl planking is an attractive option and with the 4-legged travelers it'd be a bug plus. Have you had any issues with it shrinking/expanding with the temperature? I seem to recall someone raising that point but I don't recall anyone reporting personal experiences.
 
The flooring comes with the instruction to leave 5/16 of an inch for expansion all around and not to nail or screw things down through the planking. I made sure that heat vents, door trim, and base board were attached without screwing/nailing through the flooring. It's only been down a few days, so we'll have to wait & see what happens with more extremes in temp. I have my fingers crossed that it will be fine.

G
 

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