Do you bring your slide outs in when out of town?

[JRlikesRVliving]

I’m going out of town to see my parents (I’ve been quarantining for 14 days).... should I give my slide outs a rest and bring them in while I’m gone? Also, is it bad to bring only 2 out of my 3 slide outs in while I go away. I’d like to keep my kitchen slide-out out.

Thanks,
Jordan

[roadglide]

I have both slides out except when I leave for a trip. I have a pole barn if it wasn’t being protected the slides would be in .

[dutchmensport]

If we are not actively using the camper, or right there with it, (like parked at home), slides in. The other exception for slides in, is if we know snow is coming. Slides go in then, and once the snow fall ends, they come back out again. Nothing worse than having to shovel snow off the roof of an RV with several inches of snow on the slide, so you can retract them (IF) you have to bug out in a heart beat.

Slides in, always safer for the camper and your peace of mind.

But, as far as doing any damage to the camper, leaving them extended??? No... it doesn't hurt anything to leave them extended .... forever .... if you want. They are made to be extended.

You retract for a couple reasons: To protect the roof of the slide out better, to make it easier if the camper has to be moved in short notice especially if you are not present yourself to retract them.

[LewisB]

I don't believe it mechanically hurts to leave slide-outs open (out) for extended time periods. But to David's excellent response, I'd add "protection from the sun". Our trailer sits on our property, plugged in, but not covered - it is exposed to the elements. In our climate, we get a lot of days with bright sun over 100°F temperatures. On a previous trailer, I had to prematurely replace the slide-out seals due to sun rot. So, we typically try to keep the slide-outs IN when the trailer is not going to be in use for more than a day or two.

Additionally, it is generally a good thing to "exercise" equipment on a fairly regular basis. So moving the slides, starting the generator, running the AC units, heater, water heater, etc. is something I do on a fairly regular basis.

There's probably no "right" answer to your question.

[JRTJH]

Page 65 of the Keystone Owner's Manual:

"Basic Slide-Out Tips
Before operating any slide-out:
1. The RV must have a fully charged RV battery (having the shore-line cord plugged in may NOT be
enough).
2. Turn off all necessary lights and 12V components prior to extending/retracting.
3. The RV must be leveled and stabilizer jacks extended.
4. Make sure the room has clearance, inside and outside, to extend/retract.
5. Make sure water and debris are removed from the top of the room before retracting
6. Avoid injury by keeping all body parts out of the way of the slide-room.
7. Make sure other parties are clear of the slide-out before extending/retracting.
8. DO NOT ride in the slide-out when extending/retracting.
9. DO NOT step on the floor of the slide out when the room is retracted. The slide out floor is not
supported by the main floor and stepping on the floor may cause structural damage to the slide room.
• Weather and atmospheric conditions will cause rubber to deteriorate over time. Inspect seals
around slide-rooms regularly and replace at the first sign of a problem.
• Periodically, during the normal course of operation, Slide-out systems and rooms will require
adjustment. This is covered under warranty the first ninety (90) days after original retail sale.
• Slide-out rooms should be stored retracted.
• Keep mechanical components clean of road debris, salt, etc using a mild soap and water.
• Rooms that will be extended for long periods of time should be actuated 1-2 times a week.
• Failure to follow these basic steps can lead to intermittent operation of the slide-out system,
improper sealing, personal injury and damage to the RV which is not warrantable."

I always suggest that "if in doubt, consult the manufacturer's recommendations"...

[dutchmensport]

The above list is good. Thanks for that.

I have noticed when the slides are extended for a length of time, the rubber tends to stick on the sides. So when retracting, it has to break the seal, which can stick to the side of the trailer. My last travel trailer started suffering some rubber tearing because of it sticking. We use our camper at home, in the drive way, all year round.

Our current fifth wheel slides get pulled in and out more often. I make a habit of moving them at least weekly now, sitting at home, just so the rubber won't adhere to the sides any more. I learned my lesson from the last trailer.

But the same could be said when slides are "IN" also. Especially in the Summer heat, the "in" position of the slides, the rubber seals touching, can also adhere. So, really, it's important to move the slides both in, and out, on a regular basis, if nothing else, but for this reason alone.