Kitchen slide top tilts out while traveling

Rinopivi

Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2020
Messages
11
I understand this is an issue on some travel trailers specifically when towing and making a left turn. Is this a design flaw? Is there a manufacturer fix? Other comments/recommendations appreciated. I am new to the site, so please excuse my question if it has already been addressed thank you!
 
Hi

I just purchased a used 2018 Grand Design Reflection 297rsts. I love the camper. My first scary expierence was a truck following me told me the the top of my kitchen slide came out about 2ft when I turned left. Having researched this issue it appears an inherent design flaw on campers from many different manufacturers. I am taking it to the dealer to make sure there are no structural issues. I understand the DIY solution is two 2x4 blocks between top of camper wall and top of slide inner frame. Go figure in the 21st century that this is an issue with what is suppose to be one of the better RV manufacturers. Thank you to the feedback I've gotten from Grand Design owner forums.
 
Needs an adjustment on the slide arm brackets.
 
I just purchased a used 2018 Grand Design Reflection 297rsts. I love the camper. My first scary expierence was a truck following me told me the the top of my kitchen slide came out about 2ft when I turned left. Having researched this issue it appears an inherent design flaw on campers from many different manufacturers. I am taking it to the dealer to make sure there are no structural issues. I understand the DIY solution is two 2x4 blocks between top of camper wall and top of slide inner frame. Go figure in the 21st century that this is an issue with what is suppose to be one of the better RV manufacturers. Thank you to the feedback I've gotten from Grand Design owner forums.

Welcome to the forum. We also have a 2018 297RSTS. Slideout is not supposed to come out all anywhere when travelling. Ours don't. Needs an adjustment.

If you have any other questions just let us know. There are many of use on this forum that have the same or similar models. One thing to check for sure is that all of you suspension wet bolts have been greased. Most people, even some dealers don't know that they are supposed to be greased every 3000 miles or 5000 km of towing to maintain them. There are grease nipples on each of the shackle bolts 7 on each side.

Rob
 
Thank you! Yours is the first answer that says how to fix mechanically. I meet with the Grand Design Service Manager on Monday morning and will ask him about adjusting slide brackets. Only other recommended fixes is using 2x4 or metal blocking rods to put pressure on top of slide and camper wall. I will report back after my appt on Monday. Thank you all for your comments! Happy 4th!
 
There was a time when you had to put travel bars in-place for a slide out as standard. Today, you just need to have your slide out adjusted. Welcome aboard!
 
I merged these 2 threads. It was reported and it is the same notice/question in 2 different threads. Rather than delete one to the other I merged them.
 
So I called Grand Design regarding my issue and they told me that a 2ft bowing out of the slide was excessive and the slide needed to be adjusted by an RV Service dealer. He also said a 6inch bowing out was the norm. I am having my camper slide adjusted and also adding a compression bar when the slider is in to eliminate bowing out. I was surprised that the Grand Design headquarters got me a real person to talk to who spoke English. I was expecting the phone menu merry-go-round with a "leave a message and someone will call you back".
 
So I called Grand Design regarding my issue and they told me that a 2ft bowing out of the slide was excessive and the slide needed to be adjusted by an RV Service dealer. He also said a 6inch bowing out was the norm. I am having my camper slide adjusted and also adding a compression bar when the slider is in to eliminate bowing out. I was surprised that the Grand Design headquarters got me a real person to talk to who spoke English. I was expecting the phone menu merry-go-round with a "leave a message and someone will call you back".

Glad to hear that it is going to be getting fixed and the GD agreed that it is not normal. I would not have thought though that 6 inches would be considered normal. Can get a lot of water inside driving in the rain if the top moves out 6 inches going around a corner. I know that mine doesn't move out at all and if it did and that was considered normal and they would not fix it I would be getting the compression bar as well.

Rob
 
Something to think about, there is no way that you can see what your Kitchen slide is doing when making a left turn. I adjusted my truck mirrors but when you start to make that left the slide goes out of site. The only why you can make sure is for someone to follow you. I know that cable slides and the slides with upper and lower track arms do not have the problem. If the couple behind us had not followed me to my storage site and told me what they saw I would have never know that I had an issue.
 
Something to think about, there is no way that you can see what your Kitchen slide is doing when making a left turn. I adjusted my truck mirrors but when you start to make that left the slide goes out of site. The only why you can make sure is for someone to follow you. I know that cable slides and the slides with upper and lower track arms do not have the problem. If the couple behind us had not followed me to my storage site and told me what they saw I would have never know that I had an issue.

Actually, can do yourself. Painter's tape is commonly used to be an indicator of the flex by taping from wall across slide time at intervals around the slideout. Any locations broken or pulled loose tell you where it's tipping. 6" is surprising to me... That certain luxury 5er brand that had the model with the slide tip out issue re-engineered the edge support between the arms such that the stiffness would only yield 2" on an extreme shift, which was not enough to break the wiper seal.
 
I am going to add the slide bar. Didn't realize that they are sold on Amazon. Getting mine from the RV place, same price. Thanks for the feedback
 

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