Time to just sloooowwww down

[Topperace]

Got up this AM to do some minor maintenance, fixer up type work, before we hit the road tomorrow.
First was our dinette slide topper. When brought in last time it bunched up on the forward side. So thought maybe the spring/gear was stuck. Thought I would lube. Well, was working too fast all around since the sun was getting higher and hotter, removed the screws from the end cap and before I could get a slot pin in the cap came off and the roller end unwound violently…lucky my fingers were not in the way…geez was a bear getting that thing wound back up, according to the manual, and putting the cap back on. Took all the strength i had in the one arm I had free. But Duct tape came to the rescue. I was able to attach a long piece to one end and pull it around to tape it on the top of the slide topper frame just enough to keep the cap tension in place and finally get the screws back in. Whew, done. And was able to lube and clean all the pine straw that had collected. Got my slide out remote from the cubby hole under the TV, and too hastely went to check the slide topper operation. Brought the slide in slowly and heard a ‘Crack’…duh for got to close the cubby hole lid and slide hit it on way in. But I stopped it soon enough that all it did was slide the pull down lid a bit to the right - hinge moved a bit so no real damage. Slide topper works fine now. But the ego has been tamed, and the muscles sore. Will not do that again.
Slow down and think!

 

[JudyK-JAY22rb]

Got up this AM to do some minor maintenance, fixer up type work, before we hit the road tomorrow.
First was our dinette slide topper. When brought in last time it bunched up on the forward side. So thought maybe the spring/gear was stuck. Thought I would lube. Well, was working too fast all around since the sun was getting higher and hotter, removed the screws from the end cap and before I could get a slot pin in the cap cam off and the roller end unwound violently…lucky my fingers were not in the way…geez was a bear getting that thing wound back up, according to the manual, and putting the cap back on. Took all the strength i had in the one arm I had free. But Duct tape came to the rescue. I was able to attach a long piece to one end and pull it around to tape it on the top of the slide topper frame just enough to keep the cap tension in place and finally get the screws back in. Whew, done. And was able to lube and clean all the pine straw that had collected. Got my slide out remote from the cubby hole under the TV, and too hastely went to check the slide topper operation. Brought the slide in slowly and heard a ‘Crack’…duh for got to close the cubby hole lid and slide hit it on way in. But I stopped it soon enough that all it did was slide the pull down lid a bit to the right - hinge moved a bit so no real damage. Slide topper works fine now. But the ego has been tamed, and the muscles sore. Will not do that again.
Slow down and think!

I can imagine how hard it was to hand wind that slide topper roller spring!

I have memories of the same happening to typical window shades, in the house! winding was tedious and tough on the hand/fingers.

Funny you mention the 'slow down.' I just said that to my sister today. You tend to break your camper if you try to rush. I am very much a person who does not like to rush and I purposely take a lot of time to do most anything. I too almost broke my slide a few weeks ago. I was massing on the roof, had removed the A/C shroud and put in on the side roof to get it out of my way.

I was retracting the slide later in the day (A/C work on hold for a few hours) and I noticed immediately from inside the top of the slide cranking up...I stopped within a second and realized O.M.G! The A/C shroud was blocking the top of the slide from moving but the bottom kept trying to pull. I was so mad at myself.

Just yesterday I realized I need to be careful with the stable steps. I moved the camper to the street so had to adjust the legs. I didn't notice they were higher than needed, so the sill plate of the steps was raised a bit. I tried to close the door and noticed the stairs were blocking it.

 

[salukee]

For future reference, put the slide out about 80-90 %. It will not be that difficult.