Slide first or Level first ??

  • 01/15/2019 11:07 AM
    Message # 7002604
    Deleted user

    I have seen it both ways and wonder all the time. Why would they do that ????  I have two slides on the drivers side  I'm 40 feet long   I have always leveled first and might even have the drivers side a tad bit higher !!   and then of course slide in before unleveling.   What is better then that??  some think slide first and then level with the slide out    sounds like potential trouble to me ?? what is the feeling??   

  • 01/16/2019 11:46 AM
    Reply # 7004603 on 7002604

    Ben, the way you do it is the way we do it. Can't remember if we read that somewhere, or were told by someone. We haven't had any 'off balance' slide problems. No need to fix what isn't broken.

  • 01/16/2019 3:46 PM
    Reply # 7005180 on 7002604
    Deleted user

    I have had six different brand RVs in last 20 years and leveling has always been about being level for the slides to go out evenly!  Whoops - now I remember it was also about the gas refrigs. Haven't had one of those since 2010! 

     

  • 01/16/2019 7:34 PM
    Reply # 7005675 on 7002604

    Hi Ben,


    We have a '14 Southwind and have always levelled first, opened second, followed by closing first, retract jacks second.

    It has worked fine and I feel the RV is more secured with the jacks down.

  • 01/17/2019 1:49 AM
    Reply # 7006057 on 7002604
    Anonymous

    I’ve done it the same as y’all on both our motorhomes (jacks first, then slides), except I have the passengers side a tad higher so any rain that may get on the slide tops has a chance to run off. I did look into the REV manuals to see what they had to say on the subject and it was kind of interesting.  They seem to say that the proper method is to extend jacks then slides, retract slides then jacks.  However, there are parts of the manuals that seem to also say to retract jacks then retract slides.  Here are the references:


    In the owners manual for 2017 Diesel Fleetwoods (Discovery, Discovery LXE, Pace Arrow, and Pace Arrow LXEt): 


    Page 109 says: 


    “Level the motorhome using the hydraulic leveling panel. The motorhome must be supported by the air suspension before operating any slideout room.”


    Same manual on Page 31 (Breaking Camp) it says:


    “Interior Checklist:

    ‹ * Retract leveling jacks (if applicable).

    ‹ * Start the engine to allow the air suspension to obtain proper ride height.

    ‹ * Clear the slideout room path.

     * Clean the floor and move the driver and passenger seats forward.

    ‹ * Retract the slideout room(s).”



    In the owners manual for 2017 Gas Fleetwoods (Bounder, Southwind, Storm, Flair):


    Setup Procedures, Page 29 says:


    “1. Level the Motorhome:

    Follow procedures and guidelines for extending the slideout rooms in section 5 “Slideout Operation” then “Leveling the Motorhome” in Section 5.”


    Same manual on Page 31 (Breaking Camp) it says:


    “Interior Checklist:

     * Retract leveling jacks

     * Start the engine to allow the air suspension to obtain proper ride height.  

     * Clear the slide room path, clean the floor and move the driver and passenger seats forward. 

     * Retract the slide room.”


    Same manual on page 98 it says:


    “Slideout Operation Requirements:

     * House batteries are charged.

     * House battery disconnect switch is on.

     * Ignition key is on.

     * Engine is running.

     * Park brake is applied.

     * Hydraulic jacks extended and the motorhome is level.”


    Also says on page 98:


    “Extending & Retracting Slide Rooms

    CAUTION:

    To extend or retract the slideout room, the ignition must be on, the engine running and battery voltage 13.0 volts. Apply the park brake. Operate the slideout room when supported by hydraulic jacks. Damage to the slideout room, mechanism or seals can occur.

    To Extend or Retract Slide Rooms:

     * Clean the floor of dirt or grit that could result in damage during operation.

     * Confirm there is enough clearance inside/outside the motorhome for the room to extend/retract.

     * Allow at least five feet of clearance to extend the slideout.

     * Move the driver and passenger seat forward to clear slideout room fascia.

     * Apply the park brake.

     * Start the engine.

     * Level the motorhome using the hydraulic

    leveling jack system.

     * Turn off the engine.

     * Confirm the house batteries are fully charged and

    interior house power is on.

     * Open a window or vent to equalize pressure

    during slideout operation.

     * Ensure people, pets and objects are clear of the slideout room path.

     * Firmly latch all cabinet doors and close drawers. Damage to the doors, drawers and fascia can occur.

     * Locate the slideout room control switch. Press and hold the slideout room switch to the desired (In or Out) position.

     * Release the switch to stop room movement at any time. The drive motor will not automatically stop at the end of room travel. The switch must be released. A change in motor sound indicates full extension/retraction.”


    Same manual on page 103 it says:


    “Automatic Leveling

     *Extend slideout rooms only when the motorhome is supported by the leveling system. See “Slideout Operation” in this section.”


    “Manual Leveling

     * Extend slideout rooms only when the motorhome is supported by the leveling system. See “Slideout Operation” in this section.”


    However, same manual page 103 it also says:


    “Jack Retract Procedure

    Retract the slideout rooms only when the motorhome is supported by the suspension. See “Slideout Operation” in this section.”

  • 01/18/2019 2:22 PM
    Reply # 7009024 on 7002604
    Bill & Laura Johnson (Administrator)

    Based on the various manuals and classes I've attended, level first then extend the slides. If you think about it, that gets the frame square and level so you reduce the binding on the slide mechanism as you extend. If you have one slide that is much larger than others, as I do in our coach, once everything is extended I check level and if needed go to manual mode and make a small adjustment.

    When closing up for the same reasons, I retract the slides before pulling up the jacks. 


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