Leave slide in or out?

[Don032003]

When an rv is stored is it ok to leave slides out or should they always be closed if not in use?
Also is it ok to leave the rv always plugged in even when not in use?

 

[runamuck]

we park our 5th wheel on the back of our property and I have an onboard mounted trickle charger so I run a cord out there and leave it plugged in. we dont leave our slides out so as to minimize the exposure to the slide sides and roof and slide components. also with the slides out, the only seals in use are the wiper seals and I dont think they keep out enough of the elements. my son lives across the street and has the same 5th wheel as us but has added sewer and all hook-ups where he parks so he keeps his power cord connected and his fridges are always on and his slides out but he has some protection from large trees.

 

[Don032003]

My rv is under a cover. I think I will keep my slides in though just to keep less of the elements from getting in. I was concerned with leaving it plugged in if my inverter would stay running all the time if that would shorten its life. I have just a regular 120 volt fridge and I would have liked to keep that on to keep items in it.

 

[007matman]

If it's stored outside without a roof, I wouldn't leave them out. As others have mentioned, they don't seal as well when they're out and it'll shorten the life of the roof of the slide.

As far as leaving it plugged in is concerned.. I always worry less when it's unplugged due to the risk of surges, shorts, and possibly a fire.

I have covered, powered storage where I could leave my slides out and the camper powered up. I won't do either. It's just not worth it.

 

[DavisK]

I always keep my slides in when not in use. I keep it at home, and it is always plugged in.

 

[Papa-T-XRD]

I have mine stored inside a metal building with concrete floors. In the winter time I turn off the battery disconnect, winterize and unplug from shore power and leave damprid containers inside and close slides. In the summer when not on a trip I leave plugged into shore power because I run a dehumidifier and also have damprid containers out, slides are always in unless I’m doing something on the camper.

 

[dagst1]

We leave the slides in when not in use and it is plugged in. Don't really have a good reason just what we have always done.

 

[TexSon]

I leave the slides in most of the time but once a month or so run everything out and test all the components. In the winter, besides emptying the plumbing lines, when they predict hard freezes, I use a small thermo-controlled space heater on about 55, leave the slides in to have a smaller space to heat, and turn on the tank heaters.

 

[NCPictures]

I leave mine plugged in -- I should say I run it on external Solar panels, as I keep my fridge going all of the time. I do have my slide out open periodically, as we do use it as an additional bedroom/bathroom (I have full electrical/water/sewer connection at home), The slide out is closed when I am gone or during storms. I like the seals to expand when open, so they dont get crushed in the closed position.

 

[Whitpusmc]

Left mine out and the L shaped plastic corner molding broke in a couple of places and allowed water to access floors of the slides. Now we leave them in though plugged in to allow a/c to keep internal temps down.

Still trying to find replacement plastic molding to cover those slides flooring.