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Topic: Emergency Slide Procedures (Read 505 times) previous topic - next topic

Emergency Slide Procedures

After a visit to HWH, I wanted to see for myself what I needed to do in case I couldn't get the slides in or out.  There's lots of discussions on here, but I wanted to put eyes on it for myself.

Slides in - this is the bigger issue of the two IMO.  Assuming you've exhausted all other options, to manually retract the slides, you have to locate the manifold and valves.  Mine are in my utility bay, and there is a pair of valves for each room.  The numbers on the picture show the valves for slides 1 thru 4.  The matching valve is on the opposite side of the manifold (arrow pointing to the right).  To open (or disengage?) the valve:

    • use a 1/4" nut driver and loosen the brass nut (arrow pointing left) 3 1/2 turns for the affected slide
    • repeat for the corresponding valve on the other side of the manifold
    • the slide can now be moved by hand - though it might take several sets of hands to move it!
    • when finished, tighten the brass nuts 3 1/2 turns to resecure the slide

Slides out - if the yellow light won't stop blinking (and you're positive the bladder is deflated!).  Go to the utility bay and locate your slide bladder air control manifolds.  You should have one for each slide.  In the pic, the sensor is in the red square on top of each control manifold.

    • Follow the two wires to the connector.
    • Separate then connector and replace the sensor wire with a jumper.  All you need is a couple inches of wire.
    • This should trick the system into seeing a deflated bladder and you can open your slide.
    • Remove the jumper and replace the connector when finished.

The last pic is of HWH's jumper they use.  It's a little fancier but does the same thing.  Plugging it in connects the two leads.
Steve and Cassi
2007 Foretravel Nimbus 42'

Re: Emergency Slide Procedures

Reply #1 –
A trick I discovered yesterday is that if you switch the wire bundle from a working switch to the manifold of your non working switch, it will operate your failing slide as long as the switch is your problem (not the manifold itself).  My switch would not stop blinking yellow even though I could hear that the bladder deflated.  I first tried loosening the manifold nuts as you described, but I couldn't move the slide.  I then wanted to check power to the manifold.  My generator slide was working fine, so I switched its power to the failing slide.  To my surprise, the simple gen slide toggle switch retracted my failing slide.  Problem solved for the moment and I was able to get back on the road. 
2008 Foretravel Nimbus CE 338

Re: Emergency Slide Procedures

Reply #2 –
Donnymisk.
First, welcome to the forum and giving us another idea as to be able to get slide in. After I thought about it. The valves were being open by the HWH but was not starting the pump motor. You using the generator slide button does not cause the HWH to do any checks, It just runs the pump.

Please go and add your coach to the signature line.  That way everyone will know what coach you have.

To add signature, go to top of page select my account > forum profile. Go down the page and you will see where you can add your signature .
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Emergency Slide Procedures

Reply #3 –
Internet is spotty where I am in Silverton CO right now.  I'll add a signature.  We've had our 2008 Nimbus CE 338 for 5 years.  I've done quite a few modifications and upgrades, often using ideas from the forums.  Don't know why I've never registered until now. 
2008 Foretravel Nimbus CE 338

Re: Emergency Slide Procedures

Reply #4 –
Quote from: donnymisk –
We've had our 2008 Nimbus CE 338 for 5 years.  I've done quite a few modifications and upgrades, often using ideas from the forums.  Don't know why I've never registered until now.

Welcome!  We're glad to have you and we love pictures of modifications and upgrades!
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: Emergency Slide Procedures

Reply #5 –
Not only is donnymisk idea to try the generator slide switch if a slide is not wanting to close, but the generator slide switch can also be used to test the solenoids to make sure they are working along with the pump.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago
 

Re: Emergency Slide Procedures

Reply #6 –
On our 2004 I've been troubleshooting an air leak with the slide seal system. The leak was significant enough that one of my slides would not operate I suspect due to insufficient vacuum. First I had a major leak with the 1/4 turn shut-off valve on the air source line to the slide manifold that I have now replaced.

Next I could hear leaking from the slide manifold that stops when I turn off the shut-off valve. I disassembled the 2-way solenoid and the o-rings were dry and crunchy. The plunger also had a significant indent. The normally closed air solenoid is exactly the same as the 6-pack solenoids. O-rings and plungers should be interchangeable. Fortunately I had purchased a batch of o-rings after doing 6-pack rebuilds a couple of years back and also I kept all my old plungers. After updating the first solenoid I could still hear the leak but I ran out of time to get to the 3-way solenoid. I imagine the o-rings will be the same but the plunger may be different. I'll post an update after I rehab the 2nd solenoid.

So if your coach is 20+ years old and these o-rings have not been replaced it would be best to do so before it becomes an issue. Scott posted the part numbers a couple of weeks ago (link).
Bruce & Linda
2004 U295, Build # 6268, ISL400 CAPS
2016 Ford Explorer Sport or 1985 Jeep CJ7