Weight rating for slide-out?

[Andrew010]

I have a 2013 Cougar high country 321RES and would like to make some more changes. I don't like the 2 recliners that came in the unit and would rather have another sofa and when out sofa shopping today I had a great idea. Instead of a regular sofa, get a sleeper sofa to have more sleeping room. There's plenty of room in the unit to use the sleeper function but I have one concern.

Is the sleeper sofa too heavy to be in the slide. In other words, is it going to over-work the electric motor that runs the slide?

I can't seem to find much info on weight ratings other than the lighter the better. The 2 recliners that are in the slide now are light by any means but not sure exactly how much more (if any) the sofa would be vs the 2 chairs. I wouldn't think it would be more than 50 lbs heavier max.

Am I asking for trouble??

[SteveC7010]

Originally Posted by Andrew010

I have a 2013 Cougar high country 321RES and would like to make some more changes. I don't like the 2 recliners that came in the unit and would rather have another sofa and when out sofa shopping today I had a great idea. Instead of a regular sofa, get a sleeper sofa to have more sleeping room. There's plenty of room in the unit to use the sleeper function but I have one concern.

Is the sleeper sofa too heavy to be in the slide. In other words, is it going to over-work the electric motor that runs the slide?

I can't seem to find much info on weight ratings other than the lighter the better. The 2 recliners that are in the slide now are light by any means but not sure exactly how much more (if any) the sofa would be vs the 2 chairs. I wouldn't think it would be more than 50 lbs heavier max.

Am I asking for trouble??

Many of these rigs come with two rockers in a slide and others have a sleeper sofa in a slide of the same dimensions and construction. I suspect that if you purchase an RV style sleeper, you'd be very close in weight. I don't see a problem here. My Cougar has a sleeper sofa in the slide along with a 4 person dining room table. I am pretty darned sure that the slide is not beefed up because the mechanism and supports are identical in both large slides on our rig.

[Andrew010]

I was looking at a full size sleeper sofa from a home furnishing store, not RV furniture.

If that matters.

[SteveC7010]

Originally Posted by Andrew010

I was looking at a full size sleeper sofa from a home furnishing store, not RV furniture.

If that matters.

I don't have a clear answer for you on that. I know our Lazy Boy sleeper sofa in the house is probably heavier than the RV one in the trailer, but by how much, I just don't know.

I do know that the identical slide construction and mechanism is used in both our big slides. The kitchen side has all of the galley except for the sink area in the slide plus the entertainment center. We've got the larger fridge in there, too. I suspect that the cabinetry, appliances, and all the stuff we carry has to be at least as heavy as the sofa and dining room table plus people in the other slide.

[Andrew010]

I was thinking along those same lines myself but wasn't sure how much weight the electric motor was rated to push/pull to move the slide in/out.

My guess is any changes would void warranty so that doesn't apply much. Just not looking to destroy the motor from overloading it.

The motor should have a thermal protect if it gets too hot from too much work right? Not the greatest way to look at it but if it never trips the protect it must not be overloaded??

[hankpage]

We have an older model Cougar and the sofa is as heavy as a home sofa of the same size. It does not have the air mattress like the newer ones. As long as you are not sitting in it while it's not extended, I don't see a problem putting a full sofa in it. JM2¢, Hank

[Andrew010]

Sofa is installed and everything seems to be fine. It was a tight fit getting it through the door but it slide through no problem. I had to modify the window shade cover thing but it fits perfect otherwise.

I'll get some pics next time I've got the slides out.