Another Slideout question

[Smitty]

I have a second slideout problem. 1st. One with bedroom slide got resolved with wire connections. Now Iam having problems with the two main opposing slides. This problem has been intermittment so far but has happened at least half a dozen times in my past few trips. When I want to put out the slides, I just get a ratchet like continuous click. When I push the button for (IN) I get a loud clunk. Happened with both opposing slides when I got home yesterday. I added a second battery plus put in a large new one last week from walmart. The one I took out still was good but understood voltage was important so replaced anyway. Friend has exact same fifth wheel and has experienced the same thing. I finally toggle the switches back & forth and got them out. Sometimes one goes and the other doesn't. The bedroom one works everytime. Going to Dealer today (2 hr drive) just to talk leaving rv home. Any ideas?

[Jim W]

I have only had this issue once and it just happened last week. I called my dealer and he informed me that the slide retracted too far in. The overload protection on the slide mechanisms was preventing the slide from extending.
The instructions he provided me did fix the issue.

On the slide that is hanging up and not extending, there is a threaded rod and a bell shape housing with a nut on the rod. This is against the frame when the slide is retracted. He told me to mark the location of the face of the nut on the rod. Loosen the nut (1-1/8 hex) and move it away from the bell housing. Mark location of the face of bell housing on rod, (you will need a 14" pipe wrench to loosen the bell housing) loosen bell housing. Extend slide now and move bell housing in 1/4" (inch) from bell housing mark on rod. Retighten nut making sure it is also behind the first mark on rod. Now work slide in and out to insure proper operation.
Hope this helps?
Jim W.

[vwalla]

Thanks Jim for the information. This just happendd to me on my rear bedroom slideout this weekend. I jogged the toggles back and forth and got it out, but will adjust the bell nuts on the thd rod instead of taking it to the dealer. Thanks!

[Smitty]

What does (1-1/8 hex) mean and is the face of the bell housing the open or closed end? Thanks

[Jim W]

Originally Posted by Smitty

What does (1-1/8 hex) mean and is the face of the bell housing the open or closed end? Thanks

That is the size of the hex nut (across the flats) and the open end wrench size you will need, to loosen and tighten the nut.
The bell housing has a closed end by the locking nut (1-1/8 hex). The open end lays flat against the frame. On my camper this is plated with a zinc dichromate plating (yellow color).
Jim W.

[Smitty]

Thanks Jim. Thought the hex was the number of turns not the size. I'll look the slide over and see if I think I can try this fix. I think it's much better to learn our own fixes if we can since we are mobile and not always by our dealerships. Thanks