Slides in or out?

**Rockhound 7** · 07-04-2020, 04:37 PM

When my Reflection 315rlts was delivered last November, it was in the middle of days of winter rain here in SE Arizona. As a result the trailer is not straight on the lot. The more we tried to get it straight, the more the wheels sunk into the soft caliche, I am pretty much stationary during the year. I am now getting a deck built with more navigable steps and a landing area outside the door. But before it's built, I have to straighten the trailer.

The TV/stove/refer slide can come in with just a small item moved out of the way. The bedroom slide is clear to move. The recliner/table slide would require major items moved outside before it was clear to move.

The question before the group is:

Do I have to bring in all the slides (3) for just a small amount of movement on a pretty much level lot. At most the trailer will go back about 3 feet and shift the front about 8 inches to the left.

**boyscout** · 07-04-2020, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by Rockhound 7

Do I have to bring in all the slides (3) for just a small amount of movement on a pretty much level lot. At most the trailer will go back about 3 feet and shift the front about 8 inches to the left.

You're on the internet, where there are as many different opinions as there are people.

My own opinion is 'yes', you should do the work to bring all slides in. When they are in, the significant weight of the slides is transferred to the floor and the frame of the trailer; lots of support for it. When the main slides are extended their weight is not so well supported, with much pressure outwards against the upper wall of the trailer. IMO its not worth risking popping something and/or shifting the alignment of the slides to save some work moving stuff around.

Further, if you have a lot of weight in the slide over and above the stock furniture and several hundred pounds of people and stuff you might want to ask Grand Design and/or Lippert about that usage. I've seen somewhere - just searched and can't find anything - an expression of the maximum weight that a slide should support.

Others may disagree with me. Good luck with your decision.

**SolarPoweredRV** · 07-04-2020, 08:01 PM

I agree, close the slides before moving the camper !

**lunkhead** · 07-06-2020, 09:39 AM

You could probably be alright without closing the slides, but it's not a risk I'd want to take personally. It' doesn't take a lot of time/effort, and it's definitely worth avoiding the frustration of being wrong... at least that's my 2 pennies.

**WhittleBurner** · 07-06-2020, 10:20 AM

If it were mine all the slides go in.

**Calbar** · 07-06-2020, 11:19 AM

Slides in for me as well. Especially since you already had sinking issues last time you tried to move it.

Rob

**traveldawg** · 07-06-2020, 12:35 PM

Another vote for slides in......

**BB&LAB** · 07-06-2020, 03:03 PM

No question in my mind, the slides should be in regardless how little movement or quality of the tarmac is. There is a chance it would be ok, but why risk it.

**Richter** · 07-07-2020, 08:27 AM

The work that it takes to move a few things could be very minor in comparison to the work that it might take to fix things if something shifts or goes wrong. My trailer doesn’t move unless the slides are fully retracted.