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How To Fix A Sagging RV Slide Out?
July 30, 2022
Does your RV slide out seem to have a sag when extended? Discovering that your RV slide-out is sagging when you’re in the middle of a camping trip can be pretty frustrating. While slides are super convenient, allowing you to expand your living space significantly, they have their fair share of challenges.
In this post, we will focus on sagging RV slide-outs. Follow along as we discuss how to identify the cause of a sag, what you can do about it, and how you can prevent future drooping.
How to Troubleshoot the Cause of an RV Slide Out Sag
If your Motorhome or trailer slide out is sagging, a number of issues could be behind the problem.
Worn-out Slide Out Mechanism – Inspect your rollers, bearings, and tracks for signs of wear or damage and confirm that they are well adjusted.
Misaligned Tracks – Check that your tracks aren’t misaligned, or there are foreign objects and debris stuck in them.
Damaged Seals – Examine the slide-out seal for signs of damage or wear.
Loose Screws – If the screws aren’t tight, it may cause your RV slide-out to droop.
Overloaded Slide Out – Have you been placing more weight on the slide out than it’s supposed to bear? Heavy cargo or too many people sitting on the slide out for long durations can cause the room to hang.
Water Damage – Is your RV slide-out floor sagging? If you haven’t been overloading it, then it could be water damage from below from driving in the rain or a large spill inside the slide. Over time, this moisture can cause the plywood floor to weaken, rot, and then sag.
Drooping Roof or Wall – If your RV’s side wall or roof is sagging, then it will compromise the alignment of the slide out, causing it to droop too.
Manufacturer Flaw – Sometimes, the problem could be a manufacturing defect, especially if the issue pops up shortly after buying a new camper.
How to Fix a Sagging RV Slide Out
After your RV slide-out troubleshooting process uncovers any of the problems, use the following solutions to restore the integrity of the slides. But before you begin any work, disconnect the slide out from the power supply and drain all water out of the hose.
Incorrect Roller Adjustment or Damage
If the slide-out was hanging because the rollers were not properly adjusted or damaged, you’ll need to get new rollers.
Misaligned Tracks
For issues with the track, unfasten its bolts using a wrench, then adjust the track into the right position. If this doesn’t solve it, replace the tracks and see whether the slide-out will stay in place. Make sure you also clean and lubricate the rails.
Sagging or Damaged Seal
If the seal is causing the slide out to sag, place a small block of wood under each sagging section so it can lift it. Next, use a wrench to unfasten the track nuts at the hanging end. Using a probing tool or pry bar, carefully push up on the rail to shift the weight. For damaged seals, replace them.
Cracked or Loose Bolts and Lost Accessories
The heavy slide load can cause the bolts to crack. Inspect the entire system and replace any cracked or missing bolts and parts. Also, tighten any loose screws.
Water Damage
When it comes to moisture issues on the floor, the slide will need to be disassembled and rebuilt to correct this, especially if the damage is excessive. This fix is better left to professionals, and your insurance would likely cover it.
Manufacturer Defect
If the problem came with the RV, don’t attempt fixing it. The manufacturer should handle the repair. All new RVs come with a factory warranty to cover defects in materials or workmanship.
Adjust the Slide Out
You can rectify a sagging RV slide out by adjusting some of its points. The slide is propped up by a bar, and you can tweak that bar’s position depending on which way you tighten or loosen its nuts and bolts. Whether the slide is leaning horizontally or vertically, you can calibrate the screws to manipulate the slide’s position.
Support
If you notice a slight droop, but the system appears to be in perfect shape, start using support jacks.
How to Avoid Slide Out Sagging in the Future
Wondering how to prevent camper slide-outs from sagging? Here are a few precautions that will keep the slide in great shape for a long.
Don’t Overload – Avoid putting too much weight on the slide, especially when it’s extended. Distribute any weight throughout the rig’s interior. And when the slide is not in use, it is best to retract it.
Be Proactive – Inspect and align the roller track after a couple of months and keep the mechanism well-lubricated. Also, look for other slide issues and fix them immediately before they morph into serious problems.
Use a Support Jack – Slide-out supports are elongated jacks placed under the extended room. They are designed to keep the slide level and stable, while reducing the amount of stress on them.
Always Level Your RV – Before deploying the slides, make sure your RV is level. An unlevel RV can cause the slide mechanism to strain, causing expensive damage over time.
Wrapping Up
Your RV slide-outs should be treated with care when they are functioning well. If you notice even the slightest sag, spring into action and rectify the issue. If you aren’t sure how to fix a slide-out on a camper, you can always consult a professional RV mechanic or check out online resources.
There are several ways to fix a sagging RV slide out. The most common way is to add weight to the bottom of the slide out. This can be done by adding rocks or sandbags to the bottom of the slide out. Another way to fix a sagging RV slide out is to use ratchet straps to tighten the sides of the slide out.
If your RV slide out is still sagging after trying these methods, you may need to replace the seals on the slide out. Replacing the seals will create a tighter seal between the RV and the ground, which will help to prevent the slide out from sagging.
You can also try adjusting the tension on the springs that support the RV slide out. If the springs are too loose, the slide out will sag. If the springs are too tight, the slide out will be difficult to open and close.
If you have tried all of these methods and your RV slide out is still sagging, you may need to replace the entire RV slide out. This is a more expensive option, but it will ensure that your RV slide out works properly.
It is important to regularly check the seals on your RV slide for leaks. You can do this by using a putty knife to feel around the seal for any gaps. If you find any gaps, you can use silicone caulk to fill them in.
It is also a good idea to lubricate the seals on your RV slide with a silicon-based lubricant. This will help to prevent the seals from drying out and cracking.
If your RV slide is still leaking after trying these methods, you may need to replace the seals on the slide. Replacing the seals will create a tighter seal between the RV and the ground, which will help to prevent the slide from leaking.
Some common problems with RV slides include leaks, sagging, and difficulty opening and closing the slide. These problems can often be fixed by adding weight to the bottom of the slide, using ratchet straps to tighten the sides of the slide, or replacing the seals on the slide.
If your RV slide is still having problems after trying these methods, you may need to replace the entire RV slide. This is a more expensive option, but it will ensure that your RV slide works properly.
Ever since I was a kid, I've been fascinated by travel. I inherited this passion from my parents. Since my college years and to this day, I have had a passion for traveling in a motorhome. I am here to share my experiences with you.
