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The Slideout On My RV Will Not Open, What Is The Problem?

by Anonymous

My slider will not open. We have pushed and pulled and it will just not open I press the open button and it just makes noise.

Thank you

ANSWER: Greetings thanks for submitting your question on our Ask An RV Question Page.

Since you do not tell me what type of RV you have; I cannot tell what type of slideout system you have. There are basically two types of slideout systems that RV's have; Hydraulic or Mechanical. Which system you have depends on the size of the slideouts you have on your RV and also who manufactured your RV. So I am going to have to speak in generalities as to what the problem is with your particular slideout.

If You Have A Hydraulic Slideout System The Problems Could Be:

1. A hydraulic leak in one of the hydraulic lines or pump itself could be causing the hydraulic pump to run, but it does not have enough hydraulic fluid pressure to operate the slideout.

2. A bad hydraulic valve could again cause the hydraulic pump to run, but not enough fluid is getting to where it is suppose to, to move your slideout out.

3. A bad hydraulic pump. The noise you are hearing could be the pump trying to start up. Since you are hearing a noise when you press the slideout switch, I am not going to suggest that you check for a blown fuse.

If You Have A Mechanical Slideout System The Problems Could Be:

1. The shear pin on the main gear that moves the slideout has broken. The motor will run but the gear on the slideout motor will not operate so the slideout will not move. This is such a common problem with mechanical slideout systems that a lot of RVers carry spare shear pins with them.

2. The gear box on the system has gone bad; so again the motor runs but nothing moves.

So now that you know what the possible problems are what should you do? My suggestion is to take it to a qualified RV Technician and have them take a look at it and do the needed repairs. If I knew exactly what type of system you have I could give you some more specific steps to take, but I don't so you need to have some expert eyes take a look and help you out. The one thing I can say is that you are very lucky that the problem occurred with the slide in the in position; so you can drive it to have someone look at it.

Hopefully the above information has been helpful to you.

Do you have any suggestions or comments on this topic? You can add them to this page by clicking on the "Click Here To Post Comments" link located near the bottom of this page.

Happy RVing

RVing Al

Comments for The Slideout On My RV Will Not Open, What Is The Problem?

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Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Sofa slide out issue
by: CP

I have a 2006 Forest River Lexington 29GTS. Sofa slide out freely moves in & out on its own; motor runs but doesn't control the slide out. Any suggestions other than replacing the motor (over $1000 w/installation)?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Check the Battery Comment
by: Anonymous

Thanks to the person who said to check the current on the battery. I never would have thought it was the battery. They both were reading a little over 11 volts, and at 4 when trying to bring the slide in. Two new batteries and the slide works great.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Slide out problem
by: Francis failkner

I own a 2009 jayco eagle motor makes noise but won't slide in or out is there manual crank
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		To many buttons at once!
by: Anonymous

My wife was putting they slides out. She pushed both slides at once, on my motor coach. It’s a hydro lid system. They motor is running but they slides won’t move. Any suggestions?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Slideout
by: Michelle

The motor to my slide has detected itself from the wall...i have an appointment to have it repaired just wondering how much this will cost...has anyone had this problem?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Check the Batteries...
by: Anonymous

The slide outs run on DC power.. if your batteries are failing, that could be the problem..

There are a few ways to verify this..

1. Use a voltmeter to measure the battery voltage while someone engages a slide out.. of the voltage drops below 11 .. you have battery issues..

2. You can hook jumper cables from you vehicle to one of the batteries and see if the slide out operates.. if it does.. you know the batteries are bad..

:)
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Slides
by: Anonymous

Our slides won’t open . When we push the buttons nothing happens . No motor noise at all.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Slide outs
by: Anonymous

I have a 38ft Bighorn. My slides outs will not operate. I push the button nothing happens.No noise at all.what do I need to check?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		need help
by: Anonymous

i have 2000 model cardinal fifth wheel slides will not go out ands no motor sounbd at all please whats the perob . ive checked the fuses
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Slide out
by: Anonymous

I have the mechanism and the shaft on the electric motor turns and the gear does not is this a shear pin problem? And how do I remove the pin?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Slide will not work properly
by: Lee

My slide out would not work on my 2012 Rockwood 2109S. I found that the shear pin on the gear inside the gear box was broken in about 10 pieces. I am not sure why it would destroy inself like it did but was really a mess. I removed the gear box and replaced the roll pin on the gear.

When I installed the gear box after the repair I found that the self tapping bolts that held it in place were only good for one attachment in the fiberglass wall. When I tried to tighten the bolts they just stripped in the fiberglass. I had to move the gear box about an inch to the right and make new holes with the self tapping bolts. It looks like a very bad way to mount the gear box with the pressure that is on it to open and close the slider. The electric motor flexed a great deal. I made a block to fit tight under the motor and attached it to the floor with a L shaped bracket. Seems to work now. We will have to see for how long. They really make these things cheap. Thinking of selling it. Hope this helps others.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		520317 defect (my opinion)
by: wolfskinner

the defect in the gearcase is the cast boss for the intermediate gear wallows out due to excessive stress on the casing if there is any binding of the slideout. This is the outer portion of the case which is not available as a replacement part. The Gears themselves are not damaged and the bushing is a steel insert which is not damaged. I am going to attempt to repair mine with "JB Weld" a plasticized metal product that costs about 6 bucks. If it works I will update this blog.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		bad design
by: Anonymous

Having the same issue with this powergear 520317 motor. Motor makes noise but cant seem to handle the load. All cogs on track and wheel are in good condition so my guess is internal parts of motor are shot.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		SLIDE OUT SHAFT
by: Anonymous

I have an '05 Hornet where the retainer on the end of the threaded shaft has broken, and it occationally runs out enough for the threaded shaft to come out of the secondary tube. Because the tube is crimped on both ends, I will have to cut the tube, reattach the retainer, then weld the tube together. Can anyone tell me where I can find a manual or a drawing of the assembly, so I can get it adjusted properly?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		problem i with slide out
by: Anonymous

we are renting a ts-27qbss and the slide out will not go out? We turned on the power and we don't hear anything? Is there a lock we should unlock first?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Rip off by powergear
by: Anonymous

You may have a powergear motor with a brake on the motor; release the brake snd you can turn the shaft and the slide will come out, you may have a powergear 520317 all of these have defect in the gear casing cost to replace $960.00 good luck.

Note From RVing Al: Since this was posted anonymously and out of fairness to Power Gear, I cannot confirm that this is a manufacturer's defect. There are no recalls that I am aware of that have been issued for this problem. If any of our visitor's have further information on this issue, they can share it with us by clicking on the "Click Here To Post A Comment Link" located near the bottom of this page.

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