Rear Passenger Slide

[Bill Heffernan]

Yesterday I stopped to checkout our coach (2007 Patriot Thunder) which is in storage for the winter. The rear passenger slide had come out, which is not unusual, typically I can extend it and it will retract normally. This time, it was skewed more than normal. It would not extend nor retract into its normal position. The rear of the slide appeared to be jammed and would not move. Anyone experience this issue and have any ideas? I've attached pictures. Thanks!

[David T. Richelderfer]

Your coach is in storage but outdoors?  It looks like it's parked in a driveway beside a house or garage.  I guess I would ask if you leave the keys either in the coach or leave the keys with the storage firm in the event that the firm needs to move the coach.  It looks like the upper front of the slide is damaged.  And coincidentally, it looks like the building beside the coach has a damaged roof at the same height as the upper front end of the slide.

I can't believe a slide could extend on its own to a position your photo shows that is that crooked!  Something smells fishy to me.

[Frank Bergamo]

Wow David, you have a great eye! Looks like the gutter got into the awning and the whole slide shifted in the opening. I sure would be checking into some shenanigans going on. As far as getting it operating correctly again, I believe that slide is hydraulic and would need to be manually pushed in after releasing the solenoid on the slide manifold. Hopefully it’s that simple and no major damage has occurred to the slide mechanism. Hope this helps, good luck!

[Bill Heffernan]

Unfortunately, nothing happened physically cause this to happen. Our landlord does not have keys to move the coach. The gutter damage has been there before we started renting the spot. It is not unusual for the slide to move in storage. If I recall, (there's on post on this site somewhere) the solenoid drains allowing the slide to move. It's also not unusual for it to be skewed when it moves out. It is unusual for it to be skewed as far as it is currently. Thanks

[Steve Huber]

Bill,
Slides are held in position (both open and closed) by the hydraulic system. Slide creep occurs when one or more of the hydraulic lines or valves begins to leak. Your 07 is probably due for new lines. Check for seepage on the lines. You will probably be able to notice it near the hydraulic center. I had this issue on our 07 Contessa and ignored it for about a year until the slides started extending on their own while driving! It will not get better by itself. The tech that replaced our lines said he was able to pull the new ones through by connecting them to the old ones.
Steve