operating slide manually

[Brantlyj]

The slide motor crapped out last night. I have prepaid for 4 days of camping this weekend and 3 days next. This weekend is close enough that it's non-refundable.

Can I use the manual override both trips to extend and retract the slide or is it only good for emergency duty?
Also, can I use my impact so I don't have to sit and crank it with a ratchet forever? it's the screw type.

[Canonman]

If it's the Max Slide I'd say emergency only. Also, I'd suggest an electric drill not the impact type with a variable chuck so you'll be less likely to strip any gears or attachments.
Are you really positive the motor is gone?? You don't mention any diagnostics that you've done.

[JRTJH]

^^^ I agree with Brian. Using an impact wrench on a slide gearbox that's binding is an excellent way to make "coffee grounds from otherwise serviceable gears"....

If you haven't done any troubleshooting, you may just have a bad DC mini-breaker or a "manual reset mini-breaker that's tripped and needs to be reset". I wouldn't risk destroying a gearbox to open/close slides for convenience. At best, it won't cause further damage, but potentially, it may "overdrive a bad component, destroy it and several other components in the process".....

[Brantlyj]

It was at the dealer for other work when this happened.
I just picked it up and they somehow got it working.

They still ordered a new motor. He said to go ahead and use the manual override as needed and they will fix it once parts are in.

[flybouy]

Impact wrenches should be used SPARINGLY on RVS. Basically only on suspension/hitch parts before using a tourge wrench when tightening. I've heard that "machine gun" rat-a-tat almost every camping trip when someone drops or raises their scissor style stabilizers. I cringe when hearing that sound and think about how they could potentially be damaging things.