The proper lubrication of your RV trailer slide outs is crucial for ensuring smooth, reliable operation and preventing costly repairs. By understanding the mechanisms involved and applying the correct lubricants, you can extend the lifespan of your slide outs and enjoy hassle-free camping experiences. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to lubricate your RV trailer slide outs effectively.
Why Lubrication Matters for RV Slide Outs
RV slide outs, while offering invaluable living space, are complex systems prone to wear and tear. These systems typically consist of heavy-duty gears, tracks, rollers, and motor components that work together to extend and retract the room. Without proper lubrication, friction increases dramatically, leading to:
- Increased Stress on Motors: Overworked motors can overheat and eventually fail. Replacing a slide out motor can be an expensive and time-consuming repair.
- Damaged Gear Systems: Excessive friction can grind down gears, causing them to slip or bind.
- Worn Tracks and Rollers: Abrasive contact between unlubricated surfaces can lead to premature wear and tear of the tracks and rollers that guide the slide out.
- Binding and Jerky Movement: A lack of lubrication causes the slide out to move in a jerky and uneven manner, putting strain on the entire system and making operation difficult.
- Increased Noise: Squealing, grinding, and popping noises during operation are often indicators of inadequate lubrication.
Effective lubrication minimizes these issues, ensuring smooth, quiet, and reliable slide out operation, prolonging the life of your system, and saving you money on repairs.
Understanding Your RV Slide Out System
Before you start lubricating, it’s important to understand the type of slide out system your RV uses. The most common types include:
- Rack and Pinion: These systems use a toothed rack and a rotating pinion gear to extend and retract the slide out. They are known for their strength and durability.
- Schwintek (SlimRack): These systems utilize vertical tracks with small gears that engage in slots. They are compact and lightweight, often used in smaller RVs. However, they are more sensitive to weight distribution and require specific lubrication.
- Cable Slide: These systems use cables connected to a drum and a motor to pull the slide out in and out. They are typically found in smaller slide outs.
Knowing your system type is critical because it dictates the specific lubrication points and the recommended types of lubricant. Consult your RV’s owner’s manual for detailed information about your slide out system.
Choosing the Right Lubricant
Selecting the correct lubricant is paramount for effective slide out maintenance. Avoid using general-purpose lubricants like WD-40, which can attract dirt and dust, exacerbating friction over time. Instead, opt for lubricants specifically designed for RV slide outs:
- Dry Lube with Teflon or PTFE: These lubricants leave a dry, non-sticky coating that repels dirt and dust, making them ideal for tracks, rollers, and gear teeth.
- Silicone-Based Lubricants: Silicone lubricants provide excellent lubrication and are resistant to water and temperature extremes. They are often used on rubber seals and gaskets.
- Grease (for specific components): Certain components, such as grease fittings on some rack and pinion systems, may require a high-quality lithium-based grease. Consult your owner’s manual.
Key Considerations When Choosing Lubricant:
- Compatibility: Ensure the lubricant is compatible with the materials used in your slide out system (e.g., metal, rubber, plastic).
- Temperature Range: Choose a lubricant that can withstand the temperature extremes you expect to encounter during your travels.
- Water Resistance: Select a lubricant that is resistant to water and humidity to prevent corrosion.
- Owner’s Manual Recommendations: Always prioritize the lubricant types recommended in your RV’s owner’s manual.
Step-by-Step Guide to Lubricating Your RV Slide Outs
Step 1: Preparation and Safety
- Read Your Owner’s Manual: Familiarize yourself with the specific instructions and recommendations for your slide out system.
- Gather Supplies: Assemble the necessary lubricants, a clean rag, a ladder (if needed), and safety glasses.
- Ensure Safety: Park your RV on a level surface, engage the parking brake, and disconnect from shore power.
Step 2: Identifying Lubrication Points
- Consult the Owner’s Manual: Identify the specific lubrication points for your slide out system. These typically include the tracks, rollers, gears (if visible), and seals.
- Visual Inspection: Examine the slide out mechanism to identify any areas that appear dry or show signs of wear.
Step 3: Cleaning the Slide Out Components
- Remove Debris: Use a brush or vacuum to remove any dirt, dust, or debris from the tracks, rollers, and gears.
- Clean Surfaces: Wipe down the surfaces with a clean rag to remove any old lubricant or grime.
Step 4: Applying Lubricant
- Tracks and Rollers: Apply a thin, even coat of dry lube or silicone lubricant to the tracks and rollers. Avoid over-lubricating, as this can attract dirt and dust.
- Gears: If your system has exposed gears, apply a small amount of dry lube to the gear teeth.
- Seals: Apply a silicone-based lubricant to the rubber seals to keep them pliable and prevent them from drying out and cracking.
- Grease Fittings: If your system has grease fittings, use a grease gun to inject grease until fresh grease begins to emerge.
Step 5: Operating the Slide Out
- Extend and Retract: Operate the slide out fully to distribute the lubricant evenly.
- Listen for Noises: Pay attention to any unusual noises during operation. If you hear squealing or grinding, reapply lubricant to the affected areas.
Step 6: Clean Up
- Wipe Excess Lubricant: Use a clean rag to wipe away any excess lubricant.
- Dispose of Materials Properly: Dispose of used rags and lubricant containers according to local regulations.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Slide Out Lubrication
FAQ 1: How often should I lubricate my RV slide outs?
- Answer: A good rule of thumb is to lubricate your slide outs at least twice a year, preferably before and after your primary camping season. However, if you use your RV frequently or travel in harsh conditions, you may need to lubricate them more often, perhaps every three months. Listen for any squeaking or grinding noises, which indicate a need for immediate lubrication.
FAQ 2: Can I use WD-40 to lubricate my RV slide outs?
- Answer: No, WD-40 is not recommended for lubricating RV slide outs. It’s a solvent and water displacer, not a long-term lubricant. WD-40 can actually attract dirt and dust, leading to increased friction and potential damage to your slide out system.
FAQ 3: What type of lubricant is best for Schwintek (SlimRack) slide out systems?
- Answer: Specifically formulated dry lube designed for Schwintek systems is crucial. These systems are particularly sensitive to friction and require lubricants that won’t attract dirt. Lippert (LCI), the manufacturer of Schwintek systems, typically recommends their own branded dry lube. Using an inappropriate lubricant can damage the system.
FAQ 4: How do I know if I’m using too much lubricant?
- Answer: Over-lubrication is indicated by excess lubricant dripping from the slide out mechanism or accumulating on the surrounding surfaces. This can attract dirt and dust, creating a sticky mess. Apply lubricant sparingly and wipe away any excess.
FAQ 5: What happens if I don’t lubricate my RV slide outs?
- Answer: Neglecting slide out lubrication can lead to a range of problems, including increased friction, worn gears and tracks, motor failure, jerky movement, and excessive noise. Eventually, it can result in costly repairs or even the complete failure of your slide out system.
FAQ 6: Can I lubricate my RV slide outs myself, or should I hire a professional?
- Answer: Lubricating RV slide outs is a relatively straightforward task that most RV owners can handle themselves with the proper tools and knowledge. However, if you are uncomfortable working on your RV or unsure about any aspect of the process, it’s always best to consult with a qualified RV technician.
FAQ 7: What should I do if my slide out is already making a lot of noise?
- Answer: If your slide out is making excessive noise, start by thoroughly cleaning and lubricating the tracks, rollers, and gears. If the noise persists, inspect the system for any signs of damage or wear. Consult with an RV technician if you suspect a more serious problem.
FAQ 8: How do I prevent the rubber seals on my slide out from drying out and cracking?
- Answer: Apply a silicone-based lubricant to the rubber seals regularly to keep them pliable and prevent them from drying out and cracking. This will also help to create a better seal and prevent water leaks.
FAQ 9: Where do I find the grease fittings on my RV slide out system?
- Answer: Grease fittings are typically located on the pivot points of rack and pinion slide out systems. Consult your owner’s manual for the exact location of the grease fittings on your specific system. If you are unsure, consult with an RV technician.
FAQ 10: Are there any special considerations for lubricating slide outs in cold weather?
- Answer: In cold weather, lubricants can thicken, making it more difficult for the slide out to operate smoothly. Choose a lubricant with a low-temperature rating and consider applying a small amount of heat to the slide out mechanism with a heat gun or hairdryer (carefully) to help the lubricant penetrate.
FAQ 11: Can I use white lithium grease on my RV slide outs?
- Answer: While white lithium grease is a good general-purpose lubricant, it’s not always the best choice for RV slide outs. Dry lubes with Teflon or PTFE are generally preferred for tracks and rollers because they don’t attract dirt. Consult your owner’s manual for specific recommendations.
FAQ 12: My slide out is stuck. Will lubrication help?
- Answer: Lubrication can sometimes help free a stuck slide out, especially if the issue is due to friction. However, a stuck slide out can also be caused by other problems, such as a faulty motor, damaged gears, or an obstruction. Try lubricating the system, but if it doesn’t work, do not force the slide out. Consult with an RV technician to diagnose the problem and avoid further damage.