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I have observe some people in an RV Park use a slide support that appears to possible stabilize and protect extended slide use.
What does grand design recommend a slide support or not?
I can't speak for Grand Design but IMHO no--don't do it! You'll likely cause more issues than I care to think about. Remember to only occupy/use a slide when it is fully extended. (I admit--I sometimes snooze in the bedroom at a rest stop without extending the Schwintek but apparently this is frowned upon.)
I know it is especially important not to walk on the dinette slide in a 315RLTS or similar layout trailer--the slide is definitely not built to support weight on the floor when it is stored.
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Rob has used them for years but I noticed he didn't have them while setup at the rally so I don't know if he still uses them or not. Maybe he only uses them when he is extended stay although he's used them at the Rally before so who knows! I'm sure he'll jump in soon.
Paul and Deb Cervone
2022 Imagine XLS 22MLE
2021 Imagine XLS 17MKE - SOLD; 2015 Reflection 337RLS - SOLD
2016 GMC Denali 3500 SRW
I think your question is about using slide supports when the slide is fully open . . . is this correct?
I am quite sure that Grand Design (like all manufacturers) will tell you not to do this.
The main reason for this is that you are creating a solid brace to the ground for the slide while the body of the trailer can still move up/down on the trailer suspension.
Given the caveat above . . . we do use slide supports under our dinette/settee slide. Without these supports, there is significant side to side trailer motion that can't be controlled by any of the frame attached stabilizing systems. We "snug" these up against the outer ends of the slide racks. We use the version with the plastic hand nuts (see picture), not the version that has an extension handle on the nut that would allow over tightening these supports. It only takes slight pressure to stabilize the side-to-side rocking and this only works if these supports are on a concrete pad. The struts have little affect with the light pressure used, if they are on grass or dirt.
Please note that this is my choice and experience (over several years) and is not to be taken as any kind of factory endorsement of this practice.
I didn’t check every owners manual, the Momentum manual for 2016 says, “Adding additional support is not necessary under the slideout rooms. Non-warranty damage can occur to your slideout system from improper use of aftermarket support jacks.”
Colan Arnold
2016 Momentum 397TH
Full time since 2016
Damn, you guys are observant LOL!
I didn’t use the slide supports at the Rally because (at the light adjustment I use) they won’t do much on grass.
They do make a difference on the concrete pad where we spend most of our time in Florida.
Agreed that Grand Design does not endorse what I am doing . . . not the first time that has happened .
Here's the issue that could arise with slide supports. As said a brace under the slide could hold it in position and if the leveling jacks settle or leak down and partially retract, the body of the trailer can settle or shift and the slide would be held up and damage/bending could occur to the slide and mechanism. It's a trailer with lighter weight framing and will flex some. Even the Frieghtliner chassis I currently have can and will flex, and It's a heck of a lot beefier than any trailer I've seen. Maybe something like Spacecraft or New Horizon trailers are stronger but they also cost several times what one on a Lippert frame costs. It's the nature of the beast and you are stuck with that. I'd say if you want to use slide supports, go ahead at your own peril.
2007 Itasca Horizon w/2017 Wrangler "pusher toad"
2015 Solitude 320X (sold) likely a 351M to take it's place
2017 Ram 3500 Laramie 4wd CC LB SRW
2019 Harley Davidson Heritage 114 as the toy
I am in the no support under the slides camp. First off most of the weight you can put on a slide is over the pivot point where the slide meets the wall. Yes you can get some weight further out, but it's not an everyday thing. Put the skinny people by the window. We have had zero weight related slide issues.
As far as trailer movement goes. We are quite fortunate that it doesn't bother us in the least. Compared sleeping in our boat the 5th wheel is rock steady.
2017 Momentum 376, 2019 Ford F450
2022 Triumph Scrambler Motorcycle
E-bikes, Hobi Pedal Kayaks
Kota the dog and KC the Kitty Cat
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