There are often two hydraulic rams (one at the front and one at the back) that need to operate together because the slide-out can get jammed if the rams aren’t working in sync. Hydraulic slides are generally faster (except when it’s very cold out) and are capable of handling heavier weights. Hydraulic systems are generally more complex than electrical systems, but they’re used in applications that require more force/power. They use a motor/pump assembly to operate multiple slides and are typically used on larger slide systems that are heavier. Lippert in-wall (Schwintek) slides are easy to spot… just look for the worm gear track(s) mounted to their sides. (Sometimes there are multiple tracks at the bottom and/or top of the slide.) You can easily identify an in-wall/Schwintek slide by the worm-gear track installed on both sides of the slide. However, in-wall/Schwintek slides have historically been prone to issues, mainly due to RV manufacturers using them in larger, heavier applications than they were designed for. This type of slide is best for small wardrobe & bed slides and the like, rather than large slides containing heavy appliances or furniture. Many RVs have electric slide-outs made by Lippert known as in-wall or Schwintek slides. These slides use two electric motors (one at each end of the slide-out box) that turn worm gears to extend & retract the slide room, with their speed being synchronized by a control unit on the inside. These slides are very compact and leave the most usable space in the RV. Rack & Pinion SlidesĪs we noted above, rack & pinion slides are the most common type of RV slide and also tend to be the most reliable. The downside of rack & pinion slides is that they take up a lot of room. This opens up the living space inside this camper significantly. Here’s a travel trailer with a large slide extended. Let’s take a brief look at the different types of RV slides, all of which function a bit differently. What Are the Different Types of RV Slide Outs? Rack and pinion slide systems are the most common because there are reasonably few moving parts that require maintenance or repair to keep them working properly, and they don’t require much force to operate.Īdditionally, the flush floors of the slide-out room protrude very little into the inside living space when retracted. The rack and pinion system is a heavier type of slide than others, but in addition to being a more reliable slide-out system, it’s also more affordable and can allow the box of the slide room to sit flush against the RV wall (which is a desirable feature). The pinion pushes the rack teeth forward, allowing the slide to extend. This type of system can allow the slide box to be flush with the main floor of the RV (this is called a flush-floor slide). The motor often contains a worm gear in the belly pan. The electric motor under the slide-out pushes out the box while it spins two pinion sprockets/gears. The most reliable (and the most common) type of RV slide-out is the rack and pinion system. Also referred to as “electric through-frame” slides, rack and pinion RV slide-out systems use arms under the slide box that are connected to an electric actuator motor. What Is the Most Reliable Type of RV Slide-Out? Hydraulic slide-outs are somewhat more complex than electrical systems, but they’re also more powerful, making them perfect for use on larger, heavier slide rooms. Some operate with a system of cables and pulleys, but most slides on newer RVs tend to be operated under either electric or hydraulic control.Įlectric slide-outs generally use an electric motor driving a worm gear system and tend to be used more on smaller, lighter-weight slides. The slide operation allows them to extend outward to increase the camper’s living space, and then retract to bring the rig back to its compact size for traveling.Ĭamper slide-outs generally extend and retract either manually, or with electric or hydraulic mechanisms. Almost any type of camper can have at least one slide-out (other than very small rigs like pop-up campers and teardrops), and many RVs have multiple.Įssentially, RV slide-outs are cut-out areas built into the sides or rear of the RV. 9) Free RVing Tips, Tricks, Reviews, Giveaways & MoreĪn RV slide-out (also called a slide, slide room, tip out, or bump out) increases the square footage of the living space on the inside of a motorhome or travel trailer.7.2.9) Extra Space Requirement When Camped.7.1.3) Gives Smaller RVs a Larger Living Area.7) What Are the Pros and Cons of Slide-outs?.4) Who Designed the First Power Slide-out?.3) What Are the Different Types of RV Slide Outs?.2) What Is the Most Reliable Type of RV Slide-Out?.
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