4 Solutions For The Gulfstream Slide Out Problem

There was a point in the history of recreational vehicles when sales temporarily dwindled because owners began to realize RVs were not as spacious as they expected. Let’s be honest—anyone who rides a bus has complained at least once about how cramped it is inside.

You can literally go from wall to wall in just three to four steps. An RV is just as big as a bus, so getting the same feedback is not surprising. Considering how much money these owners invested in their vehicles, it must have been a devastating realization.

Then manufacturers caught wind of the situation and started to think of a way to expand the floor space of their RVs somehow, or they’re going to lose customers. However, they had reached another impasse—increasing an RV’s width violates existing manufacturing and road safety standards.

They can’t make it longer than it already is, either. In other words, they need to find a way to add more floor space without adding more floor space, which is almost paradoxical. It only made sense when they factored in the element of time. Manufacturers realized an RV doesn’t need to have a wide floor all the time.

Instead, the floor can maintain its dimension while traveling, and extend when parked. That’s how they came up with the slide-out feature, which is now on 99 percent of all average-size RVs. This brilliant concept almost single-handedly restored people’s interest in RVs and has led to a revolution in RV design.

Gulf Stream Electronic Slide Systems

While many RV manufacturers subcontract some of their equipment (for instance, the slide-out system), some prefer to make their own. Not only is it less costly, but it also allows the manufacturer to be more creative. Furthermore, it gives their RV a distinct quality that adds to its resale value.

One such manufacturer is Gulf Stream Coach, which has been producing bang-up motorhomes and travel trailers for over 50 years. Gulf Stream Coach had stuck with its self-built slide-out system for decades until recently when it partnered with Norco Industries to build a more reliable and longer-lasting slide-out system.

As a result, most of today’s Gulf Stream motorhomes have Norco Industries Accu-Slide Expandable System. This big stepup in designing and constructing Gulf Stream motorhomes is paving the way for more spacious RVs.

Troubleshooting Common Gulfstream Slide Out Problems

While the shift to Accu-Slide Expandable System made a lot of difference in Gulf Stream motorhomes’ overall user experience, it’s not perfect. Like other equipment, it can also occasionally hit a snag.

When it does, you have to be ready to do the required troubleshooting. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck with a non-working slide-out and forced to put up with a cramped interior. Here are some troubleshooting tips to remember:

1. Slide-out doesn’t extend or retract

You finally found a nice, flat spot to park and just finished leveling the RV. But when you switched on the slide-outs, you got no response.

No movement. No noise. Nothing. What should you do? You should first review which components are responsible for extending and retracting the slide-out rooms (assuming you’ve already studied them).  These include the motor, the cables that convey electricity, the gearbox, and the motor controller.

Any of these components could cause a malfunction. Maybe one of the cables snapped, and electricity no longer flows into and from the motor. It’s also possible that one of the gears in the gearbox is broken, obstructing the mechanical flow. Or perhaps the motor is busted and needs to be hit with a rubber mallet.

Anything is possible, but the most common cause of a malfunctioning slide-out is a broken motor. And sadly, there’s no better solution than a total replacement.

2. Slide-out creates a squeaking noise as it opens or retracts

Any machine with moving parts will create a specific sound during operation. Your Gulf Stream motorhome’s slide-out is no exception. You will hear a light hum from the motor and a bump as it reaches the end of the slide. But it’s different when your slide-out starts to squeak.

It indicates that some components are violently (and unnecessarily) rubbing against each other. Specifically, this can happen when pulleys and brackets rub against each other too tightly. You can fix it by lubricating all the areas where the grease has dried up.

It’s also likely that the cables are too tight or caught onto something. They need to be loosened up before they snap and cause more trouble. Lastly, you must check the alignment of the brackets. That, too, can create a squeaking noise.

3. Slide-out room doesn’t close all the way

Have you ever retracted your slide-out, but as soon as it hit the frame, you felt odd? It’s probably because it hasn’t closed completely. If you go outside, you’ll notice that it’s slightly protruding. This may seem like a trivial problem, but it can turn into a disaster if neglected.

For instance, if your RV swerves too quickly in the opposite direction, the unlocked slide-out room could be pushed out and slingshot the entire RV to wherever it’s flung. So before hitting the road, make sure all the slide-out rooms are entirely closed. To do that, you must first identify the cause.

This problem is often due to an obstruction along the rail that needs to be pulled out. An improper stand-off bracket alignment is likely a culprit, and you can fix it by aligning the cable with the slot and adjusting the tension cable.

4. Motor is making a strange noise or won’t run

If you switch on the slide-out and hear the motor making a strange, loud noise, that’s a sign of severe damage. But, unfortunately, unlike the flu or a headache, it won’t go away until you fix it. And even if it goes away without you doing anything, it will eventually recur. So, you have to deal with it upon discovery.

This can also be a case of a faulty controller, the panel on your wall that regulates the slide-out system operation. Or, perhaps the switch is defective, and the motor is not getting any command at all.

If the motor is dead and doesn’t respond to the switch, it’s most likely a case of a dead battery or a tripped circuit breaker. Either you should change the battery or restore the circuit breaker.

What to remember when opening or closing the Gulfstream slide out

You can avoid future problems if you know how to correctly and safely operate a Gulf Stream slide-out correctly and safely. Here’s a quick guide to review if you feel the memories of the first time you used the slide-out controller are slipping away.

1. Only open the slide-out when the RV is level. Doing the opposite can upset the balance that keeps the slide-out room intact.
2. Get rid of any obstruction along the path of the slide-out room, including the transit bars.
3. Switch on the equipment by pressing and holding the OUT button until the room is fully extended. Releasing the switch will lock the slide-out room into position.
4. To retract the room, just press and hold the IN button until the room fully closes. Then, release to lock.
5. Finally, switch off the slide-out room to shut down the motor and gear.
6. Install back the transit bars to prevent the slide-out room from being pushed out.

Now that you know how to operate the Gulf Stream slide-out, it will be easier to troubleshoot any problem you might encounter. However, if the problem doesn’t seem to fall into any category you know of, it means only a professional RV technician can fix it.

How to prevent malfunctions

While learning basic repair is essential, there’s nothing better than performing preventive care. But before doing anything invasive, unplug the battery first to protect yourself from the risk of electrocution.  Now, start looking for obstructions within the rail assembly. This can be any foreign object, from leaves and twigs to debris.

That’s why you must thoroughly clean the surfaces of the gear. To prevent your slide-out room from squeaking or making strange noises, lubricate the roller and bearing sleeve with silicone spray or lithium grease. If you don’t know what you’re doing, ask for help.

You should also know how to manually operate your Gulf Stream slide-out so you can still use it after a power surge or if there’s a problem with the system that does not directly affect its operation.