RV Slide Out Problems

Are you tired of dealing with RV slide out issues during your travels? These malfunctions are unfortunately a common problem among RV owners. But don’t let them dampen your adventures. In this guide, we take a closer look at the most common slide out problems and offer practical solutions to help you overcome them. From understanding your rights under lemon laws, to troubleshooting tips, we’ve got you covered. It’s time to tackle those slide out problems and get back to enjoying your travels.

Frustrated with your faulty RV? Our experienced RV lemon law attorneys are ready to help. Contact us for a free consultation today! ¿Hablas Español? Contáctenos ahora para recibir más información.

Most Common RV Slide Out Problems

RV slide-out problems may be caused by a failed slide out switch, electrical power issues, failed electric motor, failed hydraulic pump, slide out leak, lack of lubrication or foreign objects. While some can be fixed independently, others will need professional attention from an RV service technician. Details below.

1. Failed Slide out Switch

The slide outs run through a switch that relays the power. When you use this switch, you can push the slide in or out, during normal operation. If the switch doesn’t work, nothing happens when the button is pushed. You also won’t hear the motor or pump run.

If your RV has several slide outs, you can try another of the switches to examine what happens. If the other switches aren’t working, there’s a larger electrical issue, which we will talk about more in a minute.

If the problem is related to the single switch, it needs to be repaired or replaced.

2. Electrical Power Issues

A lack of power can affect all parts of the slide out system. Without enough power, you may not be capable of running the pumps, motors or any of the controls.

To diagnose a power issue, follow these steps:

1. Plug the RV into the shore power. Otherwise, run the generator during diagnosis to make sure everything has plenty of power to run. A power source is needed to complete the diagnosis.
2. Check the power supply to ensure it’s working properly. It’s impossible to get power to the house battery if the cords or connections are damaged.
3. Check the power fuses to see if any have blown. Replace a blown fuse as needed.
4. Evaluate the breakers to ensure none need to be reset.
5. If the RV can’t be plugged in, evaluate the battery’s health. With a multimeter, look for more than 12 volts of charge for proper operation.

Beyond these simple steps, all electrical problems should be evaluated by a professional.

3. Failed Electric Motor

If the switch is working correctly and you’ve ruled out a power issue, the slide out motor may have failed. Locate the electrical motors. Check all of the wiring for a poor connection. If any of the wiring is damaged, it needs to be replaced.

You can also use your multimeter to check voltage of the motor. Depending on the type of motor you have, the voltage readout will be different, so you want to reference the service manual.

If there is power going to the motor, but the slide out doesn’t work, the motor may have failed. Have it serviced or replace it.

4. Failed Hydraulic Pump

With hydraulic slides, the problem could be a failed pump. This pump shares the same hydraulic system as the leveling if the RV is equipped with one.

To troubleshoot the pump, follow these steps:

1. Locate the hydraulic pump.
2. Examine the wiring. If any wires are damaged or broken, replace them.
3. Use a multimeter to check the voltage going to the motor. If there’s enough voltage, the motor may be the issue.
4. If the motor works but the slide out fails to move, the pump may have failed. Replace it if necessary.

Otherwise, there could be a leak within the system leading to your trouble.

5. RV Slide out Leak

A hydraulic leak can cause a lot of problems. Start by checking the reservoir. It should contain enough fluid to run the system.

With the slide outs in the extended position and the leveling legs down, your RV reservoir should be at a low level. On the other hand, with the slide outs in and the leveling system up, your RV reservoir will be closer to the full mark.

If you fill-up the hydraulic fluid but it continues to go down, there’s a leak somewhere in the system. Trace all the hydraulic lines, starting at the pump, looking for any fluid that is dripping out. Once you find the leak, you can replace the offending line.

When you are finished with the repair, don’t forget to fill up the hydraulic fluid reservoir.

6. Lack of Lubrication

One of the more common issues with the RV slide out system is a lack of lubrication. Proper lubrication is necessary to keep the slide moving in and out easily.

Sometimes, you can simply spray some WD-40 on the trouble spot to get things moving. Just make sure you don’t force a sticking slide out into place or you could damage the rail system.

7. Foreign Objects

If anything gets into the mechanical slide out operation, it can cause failure. Plenty of dirt and debris can build up around the slide out and prevent it from functioning properly.

We recommend examining the area to see if there’s something preventing the slide from moving. If so, remove it and try to run the system again.

How Do I Troubleshoot My RV Slide Out?

Troubleshooting the slide out problems isn’t difficult if you have a little time and patience. Start by reading through our most common RV slide out complaints listed above to see which might fit what you are experiencing.

With that information, you can narrow down the problem. Even if you can’t figure it out or fix it, the information you discover will be invaluable when talking to the repair technician.

When should you call an RV technician? If the diagnostic steps or repair are too much for you to handle. For example, if you have no electrical system experience, you don’t want to start working on your RV now. Instead, trust the professionals to get the job done. Find a reputable RV repair shop in your area for professional help.

Are RV Slide Outs Problematic?

RV slide outs have come a long way over the years. They are more reliable now than they have ever been before. However, problems still need to be worked out at times.

The good news is that if you take care of the RV slides, there are fewer problems. With proper RV slide maintenance, you can keep the system running at its best, just as you do when you prefer regular maintenance on your car.

Additionally, if you notice a problem, it’s best to stop using the slide out right away. Don’t keep forcing it to run before you have it repaired.

Can You Manually Push in an RV Slide Out?

You won’t be capable of muscling the slide outs back into play by sheer force alone. Not only that, but you don’t ever want to force anything as more damage can occur.

Before you do anything else, read through the RV owner’s manual. This documentation has instructions specifically meant for your RV model. Don’t do anything contrary to what the manufacturer recommends.

Manual RV Slide Out Overrides – Putting Slide Out

If you need to use the slide out mechanism manually, start by referencing the owner’s manual for instructions. They may look something like this:

1. Find the slide out motor. It’s normally found below the slide out.
2. Take off the brake assembly by unscrewing it from the motor.
3. Locate the hand crank extension. Attach the extension to the crank handle. Use your socket and ratchet or wrench if there’s no crank handle.
4. Turn the extension by hand until the slide moves out.

Once the RV slide has reached its destination, reattach the brake assembly to the motor. Tighten all the screws to ensure the slide out doesn’t move independently.

Manual RV Slide Out Overrides – Putting Slide In

If you need to bring in the slide manually, start by referencing the owner’s manual for instructions. The steps should be similar to what was listed above for putting the slide out. They may look something like this:

1. Find the slide out motor. It’s normally found below the slide out.
2. Take off the brake assembly by unscrewing it from the motor.
3. Locate the crank extension. Attach the extension to the crank handle. If there’s no crank handle, use your socket and ratchet or wrench.
4. Turn the extension by hand until the slide moves all of the way in.

Once the RV slide has reached its closed position, reattach the brake assembly to the motor. Tighten all of the screws to ensure the slide out doesn’t move on its own.

How Do I Reset My RV Slide Out?

It’s simple to reset the slide, but you should look at the service manual for procedures related to your particular RV. If you don’t see any information, you can always search online for the brand name and “slide controller reset procedure.”

Use the steps you find to reset the slide controllers and motor. Once everything is back in sync, the system should run normally once again.

RV Lemon Law

What is a Lemon RV? Just like with automobiles, it’s possible to get a lemon RV. Your RV may be a lemon if it meets all of these requirements.

1. It’s still covered by a factory warranty.
2. It contains one or more problems that keep it from working normally. This problem must include the value or the safety of the vehicle.
3. It has not been fixed by the dealer, even if attempts were made. The dealer has multiple chances to get the problem fixed to your satisfaction.

If your RV fits all of these requirements, it may be time to consider that it’s a lemon. We recommend securing legal counsel to get what you are entitled to.

Final Thoughts On RV Slide Outs

RV slide outs provide a lot more room within the vehicle. When the slide is out, you quickly increase the living space within the RV. However, these slides are not without problems. At any moment, you can find yourself dealing with an RV slide out issue that’s beyond your understanding.

Have the slide out repaired as quickly as possible to ensure maximum enjoyment of your RV. If you’ve been unable to have the problem repaired up to your standards, it may be time to look into some RV lemon laws for compensation.