Most RVs come with slide-outs to provide more room and maximize comfort in your home away from home. Being a mechanical component, one should know that they can also be subject to mechanical failure.  Sometimes a rack and pinion slide motor can fail leading to a non-functional slide. Here are some steps you can take to get the slide in manually

Manually Retracting Your Rack and Pinion RV Slide

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Manually Retracting Your Rack and Pinion RV Slide
  • Step 1: Check for battery voltage and ensure you have a good 12 volts from the battery or charging system.
  • Step 2: Locate the manual override
  • Step 3: Manually cranking the slide in
  • Step 4: Securing the slide out for transport

Step 1: Check for battery voltage and ensure you have a good 12 volts from the battery or charging system.

• The slide-out will get power from your battery but will have a blade fuse or a resettable 12-volt breaker.

• Blade fuses will be located near the breaker panel and a resettable 12-volt breaker will be located near the front tongue of the trailer or in a 5th wheel in the front storage compartment.  The location on a motorhome will vary but is usually located near 12-volt disconnect center.  You can also pull the slide-out switch and check for 12 volts there if the breaker cannot be located.

Step 2: Locate the manual override

• On the opposite side of the non-functioning slide you will see a rod with a nut welded to it, sticking out of the frame.

• If you see a hole in your J-wrap, the nut will likely be in that area.

Step 3: Manually cranking the slide in

• Locate the manual crank handle provided with your camper with a 3/4” socket on the end of it.

•  Slide the socket over the nut and begin to turn it, this will retract the slide in or out depending on the direction 

Step 4: Securing the slide out for transport

• There should be no need to secure your slide for this type if all components are still intact.

For a better understanding of how to manually retract your RV Slide check out this video: 

This content is not a legal standard or regulation, and does not create any new legal obligation.  It is advisory in nature, informational in content, and is intended to assist and educate consumers in the use and enjoyment of their recreational vehicles.  Great American RV Superstores does not hereby make any warranty, express or implied, and does not assume any liability with respect to the use of, or damages resulting from the use of any information, method or process included in this content.