Last updated on June 5th, 2023 at 11:21 am
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RV slide-outs are some of the most important and convenient features of your rig. They are hugely responsible for making your RV home on wheels. It can turn an otherwise 2-3 person space into a 4-6 person space.
The comfortability they provide, alongside increased storage capabilities and even aesthetic value, is unmatched. On top of this, they are very safe. However, you can never be too safe, and the same applies to your RV’s slides. You never know what could happen with your slides causing an accident, so taking precautions is always recommended.
With that in mind, are RV slide locks really necessary?
This will depend on your own capabilities and who you are camping with. RV slide locks are a great safety feature and are especially important if you have young children with you that may be prone to accidentally messing with the slides.
But first, let’s discuss what RV slide locks actually are and how they work.
What Are RV Slide Locks?
RV slide locks are small wedge-like devices that are placed in-between your slide and the RV’s wall when retracted. They are fairly inexpensive, with most going under $100 and the most expensive coming close to $300 so they are not a heavy investment to make. Although, they serve to protect your slides from any possible severe damage. They are installed when retracted so that when in place, it is impossible to deploy the slides. Whether you are using all mechanical controls, pushing it manually, or any other unconventional method, the locks will help hold your slides in place.
Why You Might Consider Using RV Slide Locks
Now that you know what RV slide locks are, determining whether or not they are necessary for you depends on your preferences. Being safety-oriented is always important, but for some, this takes center stage. If that’s not you then slide locks may be unnecessary. For instance, if you live full time in your RV on your own or primarily camp by yourself, you don’t have to worry about someone else accidentally opening the slides.
However, if you live full time with kids, being more safety-oriented goes from being important to being a necessity. In that case, every precaution becomes necessary and that includes slide locks. There are a ton of reasons why having slide locks in those cases can be very important in preventing accidents.
Driving
A common issue that can be encountered is when you’re driving your rig on the road. Sometimes freak accidents occur. When driving, your rig’s slides must be retracted so as to avoid accidents. Your slides widen your rig far beyond lane denomination and as such can quickly lead to an accident if it extends while driving. While it is near impossible for this to occur without slide locks, it can and has occurred.
The slide-out controls being triggered by an accident while driving can be devastating. Whether by small children or an item falling on it, it can occur no matter how unlikely. Depending on how much this possible scenario worries you, purchasing slide locks may be necessary. It becomes more important however if you are driving with children as you never know what could happen and keeping them safe is always the number one priority.
Malfunctions
Nothing is safe from malfunctioning and that certainly holds true for your RV’s slides. While very rare, it is possible for a slide-out to fall from the rig due to wear and tear or an excessive load over time. For instance, if there is a couch on the slide, people jumping around on it can begin to destabilize the slide. While normally this results in it becoming stuck, in a worst-case scenario it can fall out. Slide locks, however, would prevent this from happening.
RV Slide Lock Alternatives
It may be that the risk of a slide-out falling doesn’t worry you, but you still want to protect your slide. There are definitely a few different things that you can use in doing so. Certain methods may depend on the type of slide your rig has, but most are universal.
Safety Cover
An alternative to a slide lock is a safety cover for the slide-out controls. The panel that allows you to extend and retract the slides in most rigs can be accessed by nearly anyone, including children. This can be dangerous as curiosity or a mistake leads to the slides being extended or retracted when your rig is not prepared for it. In that case, a safety cover prevents access to the controls to those without access. Most safety covers come with lock features to prevent just anyone from removing it. While not foolproof on its own, it is a useful precaution to have.
Maintenance
Another alternative may be obvious but is always the most effective and that is maintenance. Keeping your slides in good shape greatly reduces the risk of malfunctions that would cause you to need a slide-out lock. Prevention is always the best route. Keeping the mechanics of your slides in good condition is crucial and a great way to do this is by lubrication. Your slide-outs are able to be extended and retracted due to a complex system of moving parts. These parts are constantly in contact with one another, being worn down and potentially damaged if no care is taken.
The slide’s gears and rails in particular need to be well cared for. Before applying lubricant, ensure that they are clean as otherwise, the lubricant will only mix with dirt and grime and worsen the existing problem. You’ll know if your slide has been well lubricated if after not only does it extend smoother and quicker, but also with less noise.
Some rigs have hydraulic slide-outs for the larger ones that carry appliances and furniture. If your rig has one, make sure the hydraulic fluid is consistently being replaced and that the level of fluid within never dips too low. Most slide-outs, however, are motor-powered. For those slides, always have an ear out for any abnormal sounds when extending or retracting them. Normally an electric motor will let you know loud and clear if there is an issue. However, to be on the safe side, it never hurts to check it yourself periodically to ensure all the parts are as they should be.
Closing Thoughts
With diligent maintenance and some safety practices, an RV slide lock becomes unnecessary for most travelers. If the peace of mind of having that extra layer of protection is important to you, then go for it. Especially if you are concerned about the safety of others in your rig, extra precautions can really help. Whether you choose to use locks on your slides or not, as long as you keep your slides maintained, you’ll more than likely never need to use them.