Opening the travel trailer for the year

[Sivymp1]

I am getting ready to open the trailer for the year. Never had a slideout so not sure if there is anything extra I need to do. I am sure there is but I cant seem to find any videos. Help.

[hankpage]

Only thing that I would recommend is to be sure that the battery is fully charged before trying to move side out. I usually try to be on shore power or attached to a running TV also. The higher the voltage the lower the amp draw and heating of the motor. JM2¢, Hank ...... check electrolyte level first

[chuckster57]

Like hank said, good batteries. As you get ready for the camping season now is the time to inspect all the seals on the slide.

There will be bulb seals on the outside edge of the slide opening, and also on the inside on the wall. There are products made to lubricate and preserve those seals, and a good servicing will do wonders to make them last.

There are also wiper seals, and they need a good looking at too. They are inside the opening of the slide.

[Desert185]

Chuckster:

In your experience, what is/are the best product(s) to preserve those seals?

[Sivymp1]

Anything with the gears or tracks on the slide itself?

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Desert185

Chuckster:



In your experience, what is/are the best product(s) to preserve those seals?

I like the spray foaming products. I can post names when I go back to the salt mine in the morning.

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Sivymp1

Anything with the gears or tracks on the slide itself?

Keep them clean. I use WD40 to clean them and I don't use any grease on them as it attracts dirt/grit that can wear away gears.

[Festus2]

Originally Posted by Desert185

Chuckster:

In your experience, what is/are the best product(s) to preserve those seals?

While chuckster57 is getting back to you, I use Aerospace303 on the slide seals. It seems to clean, protect and keep them flexible.

[Festus2]

Originally Posted by Sivymp1

Anything with the gears or tracks on the slide itself?

On the Cougar slide out mechanism, I use a dry lube spray --- not any particular brand - just what I can find at a reasonable price. As mentioned, don't use grease for the reason stated.

[Sivymp1]

Thanks for your help

[chuckster57]

Manic Monday at work today so sorry no pics, we use Camco slide lubricant and foaming seal conditioner.

[{tpc}]

Chuck, when you clean the cables and whatnot, do you spray the wd40 on a rag and wipe it down, or spray right on the cables/rollers/guides, etc?

Also I'm trying to picture in my minds eye where everything is located, I would think some access panel inside the trailer would have to be removed PRIOR to putting the slide out, to properly get at all the cabling and such? Is my thinking correct?

[chuckster57]

I don't have cable slides. I would leave them dry. The motor to operate the cables is located inside the trailer, above the slide in the middle. Often times you have to remove the top facia to see it.

[{tpc}]

Have you ever serviced one that does have the cables? There must be some sort of lubricant used on them? I'll have to see what I have in my binder of manuals...maybe it says something in there. If I find something I will report back.

Thinking about it, if the cable rides on a plastic wheel, lubricant might not be the best option as it could attack the plastic or maybe there is something specific. I know mine has cables because when the slide is extended the cable is visible on the outside.

[chuckster57]

We have always left the cables dry.

[{tpc}]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

We have always left the cables dry.

Ok thanks! I'm itching to get the trailer out and look it over...first trip in less than a month and lots to do...assuming weather isn't a factor.

[GT2400BH]

Anybody using baby powder on the seals like this video ?
http://youtu.be/X701hbSO_ko

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by GT2400BH

Anybody using baby powder on the seals like this video ?
http://youtu.be/X701hbSO_ko

Be careful using baby powder. In past times (probably when the information for that video was produced) baby powder was made with talc. Now, talc has been found to be a health risk and for the most part has been removed from baby powder. In its place, corn starch has been used. If you look in any cooking book, corn starch is used to make gravy. So, putting the "wrong baby powder" on your seals would be as "productive" or "destructive" as putting gravy on them.

Read the contents before you use corn starch on your seals and wind up with a gooey mess !!!

[nitrohorse]

Here's some food for thought. I have a fiver with three slides. The older gentleman who delivered the RV told me to rub wax on the external slide cables and then melt the wax with a lighter. He said that melting the wax wicks it into the cable and prevents water from following the cable into the RV. I applied the wax treatment this weekend.....just in case he's right. No need to take chances.

[JRTJH]

Wax would probably work to help prevent water from wicking into the RV via the cables, but most candles are a mixture of wax and other substances and are brittle when cool. As soon as the cable "bends around the first pulley" the wax breaks and the protection decreases.