RV slide outs are a pretty awesome thing. The way they increase living space is incredible, and they’re especially appreciated by full-timers who spend all of their time in their RVs.

That said, when we got our first RV, I actually searched specifically for one without slide outs. This is because I kept hearing horror stories of malfunctioning slides and didn’t want to deal with those issues. When we got a second RV and it had a slide out, we were very careful to take good care of it and ended up falling in love.

As of this writing, my position is that I’ll never again buy an RV without a slide out, but I’ll also never neglect RV slide out maintenance. Here’s what you need to know to keep your slides in tip-top shape.

Lubrication and Cleaning

The first thing you need to know about RV slide outs? The moving parts really need to be kept clean and free of debris. They should also be lubricated regularly in order to keep running smoothly. Fortunately, it’s easy enough to head under the slide with a washcloth, wipe everything down, and add some silicone lubricant. I recommend doing this about once a month.

Caring for Slide Out Seals

The seals of your slide outs also need some care and attention. These are the things that keep water from entering the slide, meaning they protect your rig from water damage—something that is not easy to fix.

Make sure to check your slide out seals regularly, looking out for cracks, missing pieces, melted bits, etc. If you see damage, replace the seals right away. I was able to do this all on my own, so it’s definitely a DIY project.

You can protect your rubber slide out seals using a slide out seal conditioning product. This will help prevent the aforementioned cracking and breaking, meaning the seals will last longer.

Slide Out Operation Best Practices

Check First

Always, always check outside before extending a slide out. We’ve never had a slide run into anything, but we’ve seen plenty of campers run their slides into trees, poles, and other obstructions.

Likewise, you will want to check before pulling the slide in. Make sure nothing is caught under the slide, as this can damage your floor. Also make sure there is no debris on top of the slide, which can cause problems as the slide comes in. Slide out toppers can help with this.

Avoid Heavy Loads and Uneven Ground

One of the biggest issues we ever had with a slide out occurred when the slide got too loaded down. The excessive weight caused the slide to lean and get stuck. We were still able to help the slide along by pushing on it, but it never ran the same again. This is why you should never put too much weight in a slide out, especially when moving it in or out.

Another thing that can cause a similar issue? Extending or retracting the slide on an uneven surface. This can cause the slide out to move unevenly, leading to issues with jamming.

Store Properly

Slide outs should always be pulled in before the RV is put into storage. This helps avoid wind damage, hail damage, and leaks that could occur with the slides out. That said, you will want to return to the RV periodically to extend and retract the slides and add lubricant to the moving parts. This will ensure the slides are in good working condition when it comes time to go camping again.

RV slide outs really are a fantastic thing. Make sure you take care of yours and they will continue to offer you plenty of space to spread out while camping for years to come!

About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.