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Topic: Retracting slide manually (Read 1029 times) previous topic - next topic

Retracting slide manually

A neighbor of mine owns a 2001 U320 and is having difficulty retracting the slide. I went over there today to look at it and found a bent slide arm that I believe is causing it to jam up. He's able to bring the slide all the way in save for the last 3-4 inches. Right now our plan is to find a way to get the slide all the way in so the lock pins can seat and then he'll drive it down to Keith.

My question is, what's the best way for us to get it in? As I recall there are some hitch points in the living room that we can attach a come along to to pull it in. Is that accurate? If so, where are they? And do we need to disconnect the slide arms before doing so?
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Retracting slide manually

Reply #1 –
It's in the cabinet with the sub, just remove the screen to access.
Tom & Patty
Build# 5832
2001 U295  36'
Motorcader # 17240

Re: Retracting slide manually

Reply #2 –
Quote from: tpboj –
It's in the cabinet with the sub, just remove the screen to access.
What is the connection point on the slide?
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Retracting slide manually

Reply #3 –
If he has the J-Dinette, it is behind the removeable panel below the seat to the right side (toward front of coach)of the table post.
Mark & Bev
2001 U295 36' Slide
Cummins ISC 8.3 350HP
Build #5802
Jeep Wrangler Toad

Re: Retracting slide manually

Reply #4 –
If I recall there is a valve that relieves pressure from the hydraulics that should be turned before using the come-a-long to pull the slide in fully.  I think it's next to the pump/reservoir.  The waybackmachine did not cache that procedure and unfortunately MOT didn't carry it over to their site.  W.
2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold

Re: Retracting slide manually

Reply #5 –
Here's the slide wiki

Slide Rooms

And the Emergency retract procedure linked there and from the Foretravel Library in the HWH folder (click to go to the file, then click again to view - it's a multiple-page document)

The selected media item is not currently available.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Retracting slide manually

Reply #6 –
So if the arm is bent the micro switch will not be made and the prerequisites to enable the pins will not be met to allow them to lock. Opening the release valves procedure should be followed very closely as damage to the solenoid valve will result. I  very much think you will NOT be able to set the lock pins, but also think if the strap is left in place you'll be limiting the slide to migrate out. You will have to switch the internal switch in the HWH box to the Aux position to enable shifting into gear. If the bladder functions normally that should also help to hold in position.

Re: Retracting slide manually

Reply #7 –
Quote from: dsd –
So if the arm is bent the micro switch will not be made and the prerequisites to enable the pins will not be met to allow them to lock. Opening the release valves procedure should be followed very closely as damage to the solenoid valve will result. I  very much think you will NOT be able to set the lock pins, but also think if the strap is left in place you'll be limiting the slide to migrate out. You will have to switch the internal switch in the HWH box to the Aux position to enable shifting into gear. If the bladder functions normally that should also help to hold in position.
Yeah, as I thought about this more, I was thinking about just hooking up the come along to hold it in place and not try to actually bring it in any further. There is a corner where the bladder is already pinched pretty tight and I don't wanna take the chance of Tearing that or cracking the fiberglass in that corner if it comes in at the wrong angle.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Retracting slide manually

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Elliott –
Yeah, as I thought about this more, I was thinking about just hooking up the come along to hold it in place and not try to actually bring it in any further. There is a corner where the bladder is already pinched pretty tight and I don't wanna take the chance of Tearing that or cracking the fiberglass in that corner if it comes in at the wrong angle.
Getting a call into Kieth would be a preferred direction to go IMO. The slide pins being disabled is not necessary a bad thing. If they are ran in an incorrect position it will punch a hole were there isn't one.

Re: Retracting slide manually

Reply #9 –
Not to hijack this thread, but have a crazy question.  If the slide hydraulics are working correctly and the air bladder is tight and holding air, would the slide still work its way out while the coach is in motion without the come-along being attached?

Reason I ask is, a few years back, we had a slide pin issue that went unnoticed for quite a while and we put quite a few miles ( across 3 states) on with the slide pins all in the unlock position and never had an issue.  When we finally got to HWH, the tech there didn't seem to act like it was a big deal.

Mark & Bev
2001 U295 36' Slide
Cummins ISC 8.3 350HP
Build #5802
Jeep Wrangler Toad

Re: Retracting slide manually

Reply #10 –
Quote from: MarkC –
Not to hijack this thread, but have a crazy question.  If the slide hydraulics are working correctly and the air bladder is tight and holding air, would the slide still work its way out while the coach is in motion without the come-along being attached?

Reason I ask is, a few years back, we had a slide pin issue that went unnoticed for quite a while and we put quite a few miles ( across 3 states) on with the slide pins all in the unlock position and never had an issue.  When we finally got to HWH, the tech there didn't seem to act like it was a big deal.
Purely speculating, but the presence of locking pins would make me think that the system does not maintain hydraulic pressure when powered down. 
Steve and Cassi
2007 Foretravel Nimbus 42'

Re: Retracting slide manually

Reply #11 –
Quote from: MarkC –
Not to hijack this thread, but have a crazy question.  If the slide hydraulics are working correctly and the air bladder is tight and holding air, would the slide still work its way out while the coach is in motion without the come-along being attached?

Reason I ask is, a few years back, we had a slide pin issue that went unnoticed for quite a while and we put quite a few miles ( across 3 states) on with the slide pins all in the unlock position and never had an issue.  When we finally got to HWH, the tech there didn't seem to act like it was a big deal.
I would think not a big deal but just my opinion. When I originally picked up our coach the HWH computer was damaged. I read through the cautions and procedures to retract. Thank you Mike and Pamala for the help! Ended up manually retracting the system electrically. Once retracted set the slide pins electrically. Drove across the USA twice before I finally got it all repaired,
BUT They know they have a damaged system and that would have to be evaluated on a individual case. If it was me I would retract as they have and strap to secure close and not worry about the pins. As stated other HWH versions dont have pins or there associated problems. If I could fully close I might want to set the pins if possible, But manually driving the pins closed by bypassing the safety switches is taking on risk so this becomes a problem. If they are not positioned correctly they wont care and will drive right through the top or bottom of the slide. The pins absolutely prevent the system creeping out, but so would securing in IMO. So I would never advise anyone to do this although I have. That being said we all have seen coaches operated with a slide not fully retracted. If your slide is dragging during operation, It's time to stop using it till it can be adjusted. The Bent arms could also be a symptom of the cylinder that keeps everything centered miss functioning??? Too many possibilities to trouble shoot over the phone by backseat repair people like me! Possibly would want to consider securing the top also?
 

Re: Retracting slide manually

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Elliott –
A neighbor of mine owns a 2001 U320 and is having difficulty retracting the slide. I went over there today to look at it and found a bent slide arm that I believe is causing it to jam up. He's able to bring the slide all the way in save for the last 3-4 inches. Right now our plan is to find a way to get the slide all the way in so the lock pins can seat and then he'll drive it down to Keith.

My question is, what's the best way for us to get it in? As I recall there are some hitch points in the living room that we can attach a come along to to pull it in. Is that accurate? If so, where are they? And do we need to disconnect the slide arms before doing so?


Thank you Elliott!! Really appreciate your help.

We've decided to ship the coach to Keith. He's got a guy that will fly here to pick up.



Ken & Muriel

2001 U320