Running slides out while still hooked to truck

[kitster]

Getting ready for long road trip to yellowstone this fall. Is it safe to run slides out while still hooked to truck for some quick overnight stays?

[NB Canada]

As long as it is fairly level no problem

[coastn]

Agree with above. Have done it countless times with different rigs, like just last night.

[kitster]

Ty, kind of what we thought too, but since we're fairly new to this cross country traveling where we'll be making a few short overnight stops, we just wanted to be sure.

[IBEW Sparky]

Ty, kind of what we thought too, but since we're fairly new to this cross country traveling where we'll be making a few short overnight stops, we just wanted to be sure.

Yup, we've done it many times. Pull up on a block if needed to get close to level side to side. If needed drop the front jacks and set the system to manual level and raise the trailer slightly taking the weight off of the hitch but not lifting the truck.
** Leave the truck running until you're level and the slides are extended and then disconnect the 7-pin cable from the truck so as not to accidentally kill your truck battery overnight. Don't forget to plug it back in before hitting the road.

[FlyStar]

I routinely put out the dinette slide in rest areas or at the Cracker Barrel for lunch. Nothing disconnected and the truck shut down. All is well.

When overnighting in a level pull thru site, I disconnect the 7 pin, hook up shore power, run the tongue jack down to get a bit of weight off the truck, Deploy stabilizers and put the slides out. Works great.

[tabnab]

I attended a seminar by Lippert the other day and they said that the schwintek slide needs to be fully in or out and not stopped in between. The rack and pinion slides can be stopped anywhere.

[Hoopy Frood]

FWIW, weight on/in an incompletely opened slide should be kept to a minimum. The floor may not be robust and supported well enough to withstand much weight.

[IBEW Sparky]

I attended a seminar by Lippert the other day and they said that the schwintek slide needs to be fully in or out and not stopped in between. The rack and pinion slides can be stopped anywhere.

You CAN stop a Schwintek slide when going in or out... BUT when you start it moving again you must continue running it in the same direction it was traveling when you stopped it. This information came directly from a Lippert factory service technician at the Grand Design Mid Atlantic Rally back in October.

[trailrydr]

(Our learned) Devils Advocate....

Popular vote seems to be to do it. And we were no exeception before getting our auto-leveling. But then, ran into our kitchen slide tearing up our floor on one end, and now dont do it unless fully leveled and disconnected from the TV.

Also, other reasons we no longer extend/retract when still hooked up is having to deal with a problem in an area we dont plan to stay more than the night. Would much rather be at a longer stay campsite than in a parking lot, rest stop, or single overnight location (only) area and deal with any additional 'unintended' issues.

Because our floor plan allows access to both bathroom, fridge and bedroom - we now pull in, stay hooked up to our TV, connect power (if available), and hangout in the bedroom for the night. Basically using it as a sleeping berth.

Several positive things about this method: no time spent messing with level and ensuring the landing gear are stored properly before travel; no additional "unintended" issues to keep us in a single overnight location longer than intended; being able to quickly get on the road to our next destination.

Unfortunately, age brings forgetfulness, travel and overnights in noisy areas brings tiredness, and finally being human (capable of making mistakes) while focusing on the next destination/traffic/route/etc can be enough in and of itself to follow the KISS rule. For us, keeping to the same routine makes it easier to ensure less (infamous) human side errors and more successfull enjoyable adventures.

Happy Trails!