Support for Slide in when retracted under theater seating.

[ZuriHagel]

I’m new to the forum and to my trailer. My slide out has the kitchen appliances (stove/fridge) as well as the theater seating. I noticed as I was packing up today that the retracted slide platform on which the seats are attached bend easily because there is no support on the front edge which sticks out about a foot compared to the appliance section. I think if you sit in these seats while it’s retracted you could damage the platform and if you travel a lot, the vibrations and bouncing could weaken the platform over the years. I’m thinking of having some kind of support … like a 6’ strip of 1” wood to support the structure while retracted. I know Swintek says no supports needed but I think that’s outside only and this scenario was not really looked at.

Thank you!


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[Capt Bob]

What model do you have?

Somewhere I saw an MLE owner fab some "wedges" to counter what you describe.

[Ynot4me2]

Not knowing you model make it a little to help you out. I suggest creating a signature with your tt and TV. This way you won't have to repeat this info.
Ours has the stove, fridge and lounge seating in the slide. Our slide has rollers (2 or 3) to help support it when retracted. If you look carefully underneath it, yours should have them as well.

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[RazorbackRollin]

I called Lippert because I had the same feeling. Talked directly to a senior tech he said it is built to give a little. But you will not damage it when retracted. Said straight out there was nothing to worry about.

[livinthelife]

I’m new to the forum and to my trailer. My slide out has the kitchen appliances (stove/fridge) as well as the theater seating. I noticed as I was packing up today that the retracted slide platform on which the seats are attached bend easily because there is no support on the front edge which sticks out about a foot compared to the appliance section. I think if you sit in these seats while it’s retracted you could damage the platform and if you travel a lot, the vibrations and bouncing could weaken the platform over the years. I’m thinking of having some kind of support … like a 6’ strip of 1” wood to support the structure while retracted. I know Swintek says no supports needed but I think that’s outside only and this scenario was not really looked at.

Thank you!


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It's my understanding that you don't want to put weight on the slide outs when retracted.

[ZuriHagel]

What model do you have?

Somewhere I saw an MLE owner fab some "wedges" to counter what you describe.

22 MLE. This is what I did. I have a couple of rubber foot pads and they fit just right under. I see no way that this isn’t a flaw in the design.


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[ZuriHagel]

I called Lippert because I had the same feeling. Talked directly to a senior tech he said it is built to give a little. But you will not damage it when retracted. Said straight out there was nothing to worry about.

I’d like to believe that but it flexes just too much. The rubber stabilizer foot pads I put under it fit perfectly and the unit doesn’t move when retracted.


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[ZuriHagel]

This is what I did, these have handles and I used them on my old camper as pads for the stablizer. I like them because they flex a bit compared to plastic.

[ZuriHagel]

It's my understanding that you don't want to put weight on the slide outs when retracted.

I think that's hard to avoid, it's too easy to fall into the chair or step on the platform when maneuvering inside with the slide in. Also the weight of kitchen has to be at least 400 lbs and that part of the slide is firm on the ground. The rollers fit just right retracted. The theater seating is very light by comparison and it juts out pretty far from the roller support when retracted. I don't think they really had a choice because the rollers would be under your feet when extended. Extended the platform does not wobble.

[IBEW Sparky]

This is what I did, these have handles and I used them on my old camper as pads for the stablizer. I like them because they flex a bit compared to plastic.

Hopefully they are brand new pads and not the ones you were using on the ground under your stabilizer jacks. Used ones will have tiny pieces of dirt, grit, etc embedded in them that you can't see or feel. Those little particles will do damage to the floor caused by slight movement of the pad as you travel down the road.... unless you have the pad securely attached to the floor itself, it's going to move. I noticed the same flexibility on my 337RLS living room slide and questioned the dealership. I was told not to use the slideout until it's fully extended.... I didn't trust that statement so I called GD. The GD service tech that I spoke with said it's ok to use the one recliner that is closest to the rear of the RV for limited usage but not to use the second recliner at all until the slideout is fully extended. They are designed with flexibility for a reason. On my slideout there is enough flexibility when retracted that the very center can slightly rub on the floor. I started to notice a slight "shiny spot" a few inches long on the flooring from the underside of the slideout rubbing while traveling. I now use three of those small flexible plastic cutting boards taped end to end and then taped down to the floor with blue painters tape. It only takes 30 seconds to install them after sweeping out the RV before retracting the slideout....the shiny spot hasn't gotten any worse but I can definitely see where it rubs on the plastic cutting boards.

These are similar to what I use....

Extra Thick Flexible Frosted Clear Plastic Cutting Mats, Set of 6, by Better Kitchen Products https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F3NT32S...BY0FYKTHXKY1MK