Common Issues That Come With Owning a Fifth Wheel Slide-Out

Owning a fifth wheel allows you to stay in a trailer that is spacious enough for comfort and compact enough to park in an RV campsite. A fifth wheel can come with its issues. As time goes on, the slide-out can become damaged. Visit us at Schwab's R.V. World in Leduc, Alberta to look at our selection of RVs. We also serve Edmonton, Alberta.

Damaged Rail Systems

When your rail system is damaged, it can lead to a disruption in the smooth functioning of a slide-out. It can also cause the slide-out to become misaligned. This causes the slide-out to become unsteady and unleveled in comparison to the ground.

Damage to the rail system can be caused by objects in the path of the slide-out. Therefore, you want to examine and remove any obstruction from the rail system to avoid damage to it.

Gearbox Issues

Fifth wheel slide-outs can sometimes have a faulty gearbox or motor. This can cause the slide-out mechanism to not move as smoothly. You may also find that the mechanism doesn't work at all.

Battery Failure

Power is a necessary part of the slide-outs functioning. If your battery fails, you may not be able to retract the slide-out. Manufactures, aware of this common issue, have provided the slide-out with a backup mechanism. This is known as a manual override. Each brand of the fifth wheel and slide-out has its own system with slight differences.

Obstructions

Obstructions can cause the slide-out to fail. If you notice your slide-out is failing, you first want to check for any obstruction wedging the path of the slide-out. The sound of the motor will indicate that something is wrong. It will sound like the motor is struggling to function.

Stray branches are known to get into the slide-out's path. If you do see some obstruction, remove it before it causes more problems that can lead to the deterioration and overloading of the motor.

Leaks

Your slide-out usually has seals. Over time, though, the seals deteriorate causing leaks to occur. Although leaks don't necessarily mess with the movement of the slide-out, they could expose the inside of the slide-out to the elements. 

The exposure will cause damage to your slide-out. Once you notice the leaks, add a sealing solution to protect your slide-out from the elements. There are a number of sealants on the market that you can choose from.

A few problems come up with a fifth-wheel slide-out. Your rail systems can become damaged. Gearbox issues are a common occurrence. Your battery can also fail. Obstructions and leaks can cause damage to your slide-out. If you are looking for an RV or travel trailer, Schwab's R.V. World, located in Leduc, Alberta, has some great choices which also serve Edmonton, Alberta.