Nowadays, almost every RV has a slide out feature. But some RV owners are opting out of this additional feature and are trying to find ways on how to remove RV slide out.
All that needs to be done here is to detach the slide-out completely from your RV. However, doing it is not as easy as it seems. Scroll down to learn more about the process and for step-by-step instructions on how to do it.
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Simple Steps to Remove Slide Out Your RV
What You Will Need
Before starting the process, you must have all the necessary tools so that you won’t need to stop at any part. Some of these tools are optional, but it’s better to be sure and have them on hand for when you will need them. To help you prepare, here is a list of tools that you might need in removing your RV slide-out.
- Hammer
- Phillips and Flat Drivers
- Socket
- Wrenches
- Needle Nose Pliers
- Regular Pliers
- Tape Measure
- Mallet
- Drill with different bits
- Utility Knife
Step-By-Step Instructions
Now that everything you need is ready, it’s time to start the process. Removing the slide out from your RV may take some time, and you will need some help from your friends. To help you understand the process, here is a step-by-step instruction on how to remove the RV slide out.
Step 1: Remove Everything From Your RV Slide Out
The first thing you need to do is to remove all of the stuff from your RV slide-out. Make sure that there is nothing left in the slide-out, from furniture to interior trims. Also, check if you have removed any electrical or plumbing connections that are in the slide-out.
In the end, double-check and make sure that the slide-out is spotless. If you have trouble memorizing where each item used to be, you can use tape as a marker so that you’ll know where to return things, such as wires and plumbing.
Step 2: Provide Necessary Support for your Slide Out
Before pulling your slide out, you need to make sure that there is necessary support. It’s better to use cinder blocks for support as they are sturdy enough and will support the weight of the slide-out. Position them carefully in place but not too far away for when you pull the slide out.
Do not use car jacks or axle stands as support to your slide-out. When thinking of what to use, you must get a mount that can hold twice the weight of your slide-out just to be sure.
Step 3: Get Rid of the Horseshoe Fitting
Once you’ve checked that your slide-out is spotless and that there is a necessary support for it, it’s time to remove the horseshoe fitting or the molding in which your slide-out moves.
When it’s released, you will be able to pull the slide out to its greatest extent. It would be best if you also let the floor of the slide-out fall as it would eventually level out with the floor of your RV.
For this step, it is better to ask for help from your friends or family as you wouldn’t pull it out all by yourself. This additional feature weighs more than a ton, so the weight would be unbearable for a single person. To avoid injuries or any incidents, get more than three people to help you out.
Step 4: Detach the Fastener That Holds the Slide Out to the Rams
The very last thing you need to do is to detach the fasteners so that you’ll be able to remove the slide-out altogether. Most of the time, they look like pins that are located in front of the rams.
Sometimes, manufacturers block access to the fasteners, so you should check below your RV to make sure that nothing is stopping you from removing your slide out. Check the belly pans or the propane, fuel, and water tank holders to be sure.
Once the ram fasteners are detached, it’s now time to utilize the extra hands and carefully remove the slide out from the RV’s body. If you remove it permanently, move the slide-out to some place where it won’t be a bother.
What is an RV Slide Out?
RV slide out is an optional slide room that owners can add to their RV for additional space. It became famous when some RV manufacturers decided to add a slide-out feature to their basic design during the 90s.
This slide-out feature only extended out for about a foot. As years pass by, some manufacturers came up with the super slide that slides longer than the regular one.
Today, most RV designs come with one or more slide-outs. This feature is not an additional feature anymore but a necessary part of the RV’s design.
However, not all RV owners are fond of this feature, and that’s why most of them have it removed.
Pros and Cons of Having an RV Slide Out
After knowing what an RV slide-out is, you should learn about the pros and cons that come with having it. This part will help you decide if you want to remove your RV slide-out. Without further ado, here is a detailed list of the pros and cons of having an RV slide out.
1. PROS
- Extra Space
RV slide-out has become very popular because of the floor space it adds to your usual RV. Having slide-outs will make your RV more comfortable to live in, whether temporarily or in the long run. In addition, this feature helps your RV look more spacious than before and gives you a lot of space to store your things.
- Increase Camper Value
Since slide-outs are additional features, they would increase the value of your RV. Down the road, if you decide that you don’t want it anymore, you can still sell it at a justifiable price because of the additional slide-out feature.
2. CONS
- RV With Slide Out is More Expensive
Having an RV with a slide-out feature is generally more expensive. Browsing through RV shops, you’ll realize that an RV with additional slide-out features costs $12 000 more than a regular RV. That does not even include the warranty for the slide-outs, which is estimated to cost 30% more on top of that.
- Fishtailing May Occur
The most common problem that an RV owner can experience with slide-outs is fishtailing. Because the slide-out is heavy, it can cause problems with how your RV is towed and naturally cause it to sway.
- Takes More Space
Slide-outs can add more storage space, but did you know that it also takes up a lot of space? When pulled in, slide-outs tend to take more floor space and cause you to carry less cargo than you should be able to.
- Expensive Maintenance
Since many moving parts are added, slide-outs are more prone to breaking.
Also, if you close the slide rooms while traveling, they are prone to misalignment. Sometimes, when they get misaligned, damage may occur, and getting them fixed will take a while and cost a lot.
Conclusion
RV slide-outs can be an advantage for some and a disadvantage to others. Knowing how to remove RV slide out can be very beneficial for RV owners who want to get rid of the additional weight. However, it’s vital that you know everything there is to your slide-out before you altogether remove it.
We hope this article helped you in knowing what to do if you want to get rid of those heavy RV slides out of yours. Which part did you like the most? Comment down below and share it with others too.
Related:
- How to Install Rv Slide Out Awning in 7 Steps
- Why Does My RV Slide Goes Out but Not in? Know the Main Reasons
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