We are new 5th Wheelers

[wroseblock]

We have a new 353 RL Montana High Country and wonder if we need to buy slide-out supports.

[Javi]

We have a new 353 RL Montana High Country and wonder if we need to buy slide-out supports.Nope, total waste of money..

Javi

[Alpine]

What Javi said..... "Nope"

[sourdough]

^^^x3 -what they said.

[chuckster57]

Make that 4...they could actually cause damage to your slides.

[notanlines]

There you have it. Four correct answers all from members in the know. No you do not. The RV was not designed for "slide supports."

[wroseblock]

Thanks to all for your quick response.

[NorskeBob]

Welcome to the forum

[msubobcats]

Welcome to the forum from Northeastern California.

[John&Genny]

I know some of these guys have a considerable amount of experience, but I think I'm going to differ with them on the slideout supports. Some of the new slides on the Avalanches, Alpines, and Montana's are hugh. Several feet wide, 7 feet tall, and contain the entire dining and home entertainment seating for the RV. They also come out at least 4 or 5 feet from the RV. We put the supports on the slides and it does seem to reduce the give on the slide when you are sitting at the table.

Now as far as the supports causing damage, I don't see how that could be possible unless you installed them improperly. I install them under the gear rails on each side of the slide out, and only hand tighten them until they are snug up against the rail. You certainly don't want to overtighten, but the kind of slideout supports I use prevents that.

OK, this is my take on it, I know I'm the minority, but thought I would offer a differing opinion :)

[chuckster57]

I know some of these guys have a considerable amount of experience, but I think I'm going to differ with them on the slideout supports. Some of the new slides on the Avalanches, Alpines, and Montana's are hugh. Several feet wide, 7 feet tall, and contain the entire dining and home entertainment seating for the RV. They also come out at least 4 or 5 feet from the RV. We put the supports on the slides and it does seem to reduce the give on the slide when you are sitting at the table.

Now as far as the supports causing damage, I don't see how that could be possible unless you installed them improperly. I install them under the gear rails on each side of the slide out, and only hand tighten them until they are snug up against the rail. You certainly don't want to overtighten, but the kind of slideout supports I use prevents that.

OK, this is my take on it, I know I'm the minority, but thought I would offer a differing opinion :)
Back in the day, slides were manual pull out that had no support on the outer edge. ANY slide operated by either cables, motors or hydraulics has the needed support. If you place slide supports even on the rails and your trailer "settles at all you are placing stress on the slide frame possibly pushing the slide roof into the sidewall of the trailer...could cause catastrophic damage to both. the rails that the slide sits on are still inside another tube far enough for full support. again a shift may cause the rail to push up on the outer tube causing damage. I have seen/worked on RV's with "whole body" slides, 30 feet long, 7 feet tall and they don't use any type of slide support. I have yet to see any slide that extends more than 3 feet, do you know of any?

The slide floor is supported by the Slide walls and the trailer floor, it needs to rest on the trailer for full support.

[notanlines]

Also bear in mind that most slides depend on that pressure for the seal to keep water out at the top. The deepest slide I've seen is 36 inches.

[busterbrown]

Also bear in mind that most slides depend on that pressure for the seal to keep water out at the top. The deepest slide I've seen is 36 inches.

Open Range has models with slide outs that are 42 feet deep. 48 to 60 inch deep slide out models don't exist, ...yet! ;)

[John&Genny]

You made some valid points chuckster, but I wanted to clarify a couple of things. The DW and I have a monthly site at one of the local RV parks. It's well maintained and has a nice gravel bed at the site. So although there is some settling, it is minimal. We use the automatic leveling system to level everything up, and use large leveling blocks under the hydraulic leveling pads to minimize settling. After this, then I usually install the slide out stabilizers. However, you do bring up a point to let the rig settle overnight at least before using any kind slide out supports.

Just out of curiosity, has Lippert published any kind of warning or advice to NOT use slide out stabilizers on their frame slides? You would think that if it could be a major issue, they would publish some kind of warning "Like don't do this or it could void the warranty".

I went ahead and sent a email off to Lippert to see what their opinion is on using slide out stabilizers. If they respond, I'll let you know what they say. If they say, "Don't use them", then I'll add it to the pile of junk I've bought for my RV, used once or twice, and never used again :)

[John&Genny]

And OK guys, I was just guessing on the slide-out depth. It seemed like 4 feet to me, but I never was good at guessing measurements. I would have measured it to make sure, but the RV is not at the house right now. So I'll humbly submit that it is only 3 feet unless proven otherwise :)

[ctbruce]

Just my opinion as I'm a professional drug pusher and not an engineer, but a 4 foot slide would need to come into the trailer at least 4 foot. That would mean nothing across from it or attached to the floor. That would be dome tricky design. Seems like you'd be giving up a lot to get a 4 foot or more deep slide.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

[chuckster57]

I'm not an engineer either, but I have taken out my tape for LOTS of customers during a walk through. Have yet to measure over 36"....done lots at 30".

[notanlines]

Just after I finished running my mouth I did a little checking with our friend Google. The best I could come up with is a "you can do this yourself slide out kit" from the following company that apparently comes up to 60" in depth.
http://norcoind.com/bal/products/oem/accuslide/index.shtml
I didn't read all their info but I would like to sit back with a cold one and watch a few of my friends try to install a "kit slide out" into an RV.:eek:

[DAN d]

welcome to the forum happy trails:camping:

[IRV2]

I'm glad this topic came up, because I will be getting a new 5th wheel. The slides have a smooth bottom and don't see anywhere to place a stabilizer. Reading they are not needed is comforting.

[cardinal96ss]

Our Montana living room slide extends 38-1/4 inches. The rest are 36 inches or less.

[John&Genny]

So here is what Lippert customer service had to say:

"After talking to one of the senior slide-out techs I was told that although the stabilizers are not required for use with our system, customers are fine to use them if they want to. Just keep in mind that these stabilizers are not meant to lift the room---only to apply enough pressure for stabilization."

With that in mind, I would make a few recommendations if you do use them:

1. Let your rig settle overnight before using the stabilizers

2. Don't overtighten! Like the Lippert technician mentioned, it's only for stabilizing, not for lifting the slide.

I guess each of us has to make our own decision on whether or not it's a good idea to use the stabilizers. For myself, I think I'll continue to use them, but with care.