Dinette slide out not working

[DennisB]

Hi-
After a 5 day trip, we returned home and opened up the trailer to empty and clean. The electric dinette would not slide out. It has always worked fine before.
The motor runs but the slide does not move.

I was able to easily pull the slide out by hand, so I was able to complete the set up.

I found one similar complaint in the forum history, but there was no solution provided.
Can anybody tell me how to access the area of the trailer where the motor engages with the slide? I can see the motor under the trailer, but can’t see how to access the area where it contacts the slide.
Is it chain driven or gear driven? Any info would be helpful.

Thanks,
Dennis. (2020 2720 QD)

[Bill]

Is it chain driven or gear driven? Any info would be helpful.

Dennis -

I'm working from memory, so bear with me. And my memory was wrong. The slideout is rack driven, not chain.

The motor is a cylinder, centered under the very front edge of the TM, just behind the propane tanks. The first picture shows the motor and its location. The second picture, taken from a slightly different angle, shows the 7/16 inch bolt that holds it in place. If the bolt is loosened or removed, the motor can be moved, disconnecting it from the track. This allows the slideout to be moved by hand. This is a fail-safe design, in case you ever need to move it when there is no electrical power.

Your description says you did not experience the following behavior, but I will put it out here for future reference. When you initially tried to electrically extend the slide, did the motor run continuously and smoothly, or did it KERCHUNK and stall? If the latter, it is a problem I occasionally experience in which the underfloor braces up front on the trailer's A-frame do not begin to fold out properly, but bind in place. Pulling these braces out a bit by hand frees them up.

Please let us know what you find. The power-slide was new in 2020 (I believe), so as you discovered, there isn't much experience yet, and many of us will need it as time goes on.

Bill

[DennisB]

Hey Bill,
I contacted trailmanor and got connected to “Jacob” at the factory. He said it is sprocket driven and if it is not engaging it means a bolt that holds the motor against the driverail has fallen out. I climbed under the trailer and noticed the motor was wobbly and saw the bolt was missing. Jacob is sending me a new bolt which should solve the problem. I will send photos when I install the new bolt.

I asked Jacob about using the slide out without the motor and he said it was fine and that the motor was just an add on because so many customers had asked for it.

Once I get the new bolt, I will install it to make sure it works, and then I may remove the bolt and just manually pull out and push in the slide—I like things simple…..

[Bill]

Good for you. Jacob is an amazing source of knowedge, and always promptly answers a query. He is great to work with in person, too. If you plan to take your TM to the factory, be sure to contact him in advance.

I look forward to your pictures.

Bill