Bedroom slide stutters - Cedar Creek

[WrightOn]

During a recent trip, the bedroom slide closed without an issue. After arriving at our next location, the slide had a very difficult time going out. It started out normally, but after about 8", it began to act as if it was binding on something. It would release and "jump" out about 6", then catch again. Through this process, the slide did go out completely, and the other two slides went out without an issue.

Things I've checked: hydraulic fluid is full; nothing is in the way of the slide mechanism (located under the bed); slide topper seems to be rolling fine; the left and right sides go out equally.

Any suggestions?

[WrightOn]

WrightOn wrote:
Update: I started with the most obvious - hydraulic fluid check and lubing the mechanism - but to no avail. Just before I broke down and called the dealer for an appointment, I decided to get the ladder out and give the slide topper a good check. A-ha! the slide topper was catching against the fiberglass and not allowing it to roll out properly. Somehow, a combination of a slight bend in the roller and a bow in the fiberglass eliminated the 1" clearance and created the drag.

I will combat this issue by taking out the screws that anchor the toppers to the slide (one by one since it is spring loaded) and placing a few stainless steel washers behind the bracket to create additional space.

I will post a picture of before and after in a week or two when I have time to work on it.

Here is the finished product. The five washers behind the ten screws (five per side) worked like a charm! It created the space needed for the slide to operate without dragging. Saved a trip to the dealer, and it cost me $18 plus 90 minutes of my time.

[Imaroadrunnr]

My Cedar Creek, although a 2001 model had the same problem but I found that the circuit breakers had broken too many circuits and I replaced them and the problem disappeared. Of course, cleaning and lubing everything is a good idea. I had the roller jam on the main room slide and it ripped the brackets out by the roots. I drilled new mounting holes and it seemed to work well in Van Horne, Tx but in San Antonio it ripped them out again so I found a large dumpster and left it there. I mixed up some "Bondo" to repair the fiberglass and steel rectangles to fit over the old mounting places and secured them with a screw in each corner. Looks pretty good but I still haven't replaced the main slide topper. Too busy/lazy.
Stan
Las Vegas

[ford_truck_guy]

TXiceman wrote:
Try waxing the sides and bottom of the slide.

Ken

X2 ! I had the same exact problem... I found that 2 very easy items would fix
#1 - wax the outside slide walls
#2 - use furniture polish on the wipers...


IF you have a very DRY slide, and very DRY wipers it could cause binding... I did this and have never had another issue.... It is now part of my monthly maintenance...

[WrightOn]

Update: I started with the most obvious - hydraulic fluid check and lubing the mechanism - but to no avail. Just before I broke down and called the dealer for an appointment, I decided to get the ladder out and give the slide topper a good check. A-ha! the slide topper was catching against the fiberglass and not allowing it to roll out properly. Somehow, a combination of a slight bend in the roller and a bow in the fiberglass eliminated the 1" clearance and created the drag.

I will combat this issue by taking out the screws that anchor the toppers to the slide (one by one since it is spring loaded) and placing a few stainless steel washers behind the bracket to create additional space.

I will post a picture of before and after in a week or two when I have time to work on it.

[TXiceman]

Try waxing the sides and bottom of the slide.

Ken

[hilke40]

I don't care for Walmart, but they carry the lubricant that you are looking for. It is made for slide tracks and works like it should, and has decent price.

[Goostoff]

AlaskaShooter wrote:
Is your slide electric or hydraulic? We have both on our 5th wheel. Bedroom is electric and the two motors got out of synch so the two tracks were fighting each other. Causing the slide to bind after moving partially in. We were able to re-synch the motors and retract our slide and get on our way.

He said he checked the hydro fluid. 😉

[AlaskaShooter]

Is your slide electric or hydraulic? We have both on our 5th wheel. Bedroom is electric and the two motors got out of synch so the two tracks were fighting each other. Causing the slide to bind after moving partially in. We were able to re-synch the motors and retract our slide and get on our way.

[WrightOn]

TxGearhead wrote:
Does it have rollers or a wear bar? If wear bar, spray the exterior bottom of the slide with WD40 Specialist with PTFE Doesn't Attract Dirt or Dust.

Under the bed is the hydraulic ram moving the slide on two 2.5" metal tubes. I thought about lubricating it, but with what? Graphite powder?

[TxGearhead]

Does it have rollers or a wear bar? If wear bar, spray the exterior bottom of the slide with WD40 Specialist with PTFE Doesn't Attract Dirt or Dust.

[donn0128]

Lift bed, access the mechnism and lubricate everything with dry lube.