Dealing With R Pod Slide Out Problems? Troubleshoot Now!

R Pod Slide Out Problems
R Pod Slide Out Problems

Americans have a unique obsession with the outdoors. It’s as if the only thing we look forward to each year besides Black Friday and Christmas is a weeklong camping trip into the boonies.

And sure enough, nothing sucks the stress out of our rundown bodies than waking up to the therapeutic sound of gushing streams and chirping birds.

But let’s face it, camping isn’t entirely a relaxing hobby. We love nature, but after a day or two of not having a proper bathroom to relieve ourselves or a soft mattress to sleep on, it’s hard not to wish we could go back to our unadventurous lives.

Nevertheless, that fleeting joy when we’re out camping is behind us, thanks to whoever invented the camper trailer. Now, we can truly enjoy the outdoors from day one to day ten of our camping trip.

RV Camping Trip

Then comes another problem: trailers are heavy. You need a powerful truck to tow it. Sometimes, the suitable tow vehicle costs twice the price of the trailer itself and buying a Class A or B motorhome seems more practical.

Weight has since become a primary consideration in trailer design. In fact, it sparked the brainchild that led to the R-Pods.

What are R-Pods?

R-pods are Forest River’s lightest and most affordable camper trailers. With a single-axle drivetrain and a floor area that only goes from 17 x 8 ft. to 25 x 8 ft., R-pods have the lowest tow weight.

In addition, the unique construction featuring a convex front and back that looks like a spaceship pod (hence the name) makes it easy to identify.

Forest River has released around ten R-pod models, each with a slightly different size, construction, and amenities.

One feature most of the bigger versions share, though, is the slide-out room, which is surprising, considering R-pods’ light frame. Slide-outs are usually found in motorhomes with heavier and stronger outriggers.

Common R Pod Slide Out Problems

Size reduction makes a travel trailer lighter, but it also makes it cramp. Fortunately, even with its size, the R-pod is rigged with a slide-out room that extends just a little to increase the cabin space. But like any other slide-out, the R-pod slide-out is also prone to malfunctions.

When these malfunctions happen, you must know how to troubleshoot them, or the slide-out room might get stuck for a long time.

In addition, it’s unsafe to travel with the slide-out room sticking out, even just a couple of inches. In this article, you’ll learn common R-pod slide-out problems and how to troubleshoot them.

1. The slide-out room is moving slowly

Most slide-outs extend out a few inches per second. If it’s taking too long and you feel unusual vibrations or hear a screeching sound, turn it off to check what’s happening.

The motor might be faulty, or something is dragging against the gear rack, inner tube, or timing shaft. It’s also likely that the circuit isn’t getting enough power.

The solution to this problem depends on its cause. If it’s a mere obstruction along the lateral gear or a lack of grease, you must clear or lube the gear rack.

But if it’s a motor issue, the slide-out needs a new motor. Unfortunately, a faulty motor is difficult to repair, and, in some cases, repairing it may cost more than installing a new one.

If everything seems intact and there’s power going into the motor, it’s probably an alignment issue. For example, the slide-out room may be sliding slightly to the side, or the trailer is not level enough.

Shut off the slide-out system and fix the alignment or slope first. That should restore the slide-out room’s speed.

2. The slide-out room is not moving at all

Is the slide-out not responding after switching it on? Have you checked if the switch is wired correctly? The hot wire is probably disconnected from the motor. Or maybe the motor is disconnected from the electrical system.

It’s also likely that an object inside the lower or upper gear rack is preventing the V-roller from moving.

If one of the gears is broken or has lost several teeth, it might get stuck if it clutches on any stable frame component. Misalignment or leveling issues may also cause this problem.

There are plenty of possible causes of a non-moving slide-out, and each requires a different repair approach. For instance, a broken gear rack or motor requires a complete replacement.

You may also check if the fuse has been tripped. The slide-out probably encountered a surge in electricity without your knowledge, causing the fuse to take action.

Also, check your trailer’s alignment and level. The same issue that may cause the motor to move slowly is probably the culprit. Regardless of the reason, if you can’t fix it, feel free to enlist the help of a professional technician. Don’t risk further damage to the slide-out system with DIY.

3. It is sliding in the opposite direction

Whoever built your RV must have incorrectly wired the switches that the slide-out retracts when you open it or vice versa.

If this happens, all you need to do is open the switch box and swap the wires to correct the direction of the gear. If the wiring in the switch box seems correct, check the wiring in the motor instead.

4. The slide-out won’t extend or retract all the way.

You’d want your slide-out room to open all the way to maximize the space it’s supposed to add. Also, you must close it all the way to keep the trailer balanced while towing it.

If it’s not doing that, the simplest explanation is something must be obstructing the rollers. Extend or retract the slide-out several times to gain access to the gear track and remove the obstruction.

Extend And Retract Slide Out

5. Nothing is happening, even if you can hear the motor running

When the motor is running, but the slide-out room doesn’t move, it means there’s electricity in the motor but not in the slide-out. It’s possible that the wire connecting the motor to the gear set is cut or other components in the motor are broken.

In that case, there’s no other choice but to buy a new motor. As explained earlier, replacement is a much more practical option.

The Missing Outrigger Problem

You can experience the issues above with any trailer. But one problem you might only experience with an R-pod lies underneath the lower gear rack—or not (because you won’t find it there).

When Forest River was designing the first R-pod models, they were so focused on reducing the trailer’s weight that they forgot about material strength and gravity. They didn’t include an outrigger.

An outrigger is the floor support that extends from the frame tube to the outer walls of the trailer. This means that nothing besides the outer wall carries the weight of a fully extended slide-out room.

As a result, the outer wall gradually sags under the weight of the slide-out room. The floor edge also buckles up. A sagging outer wall means the slide-out is tilting.

Unfortunately, this sag leaves permanent damage, meaning the only way to fix this problem is to deal with it proactively.

If you purchased one of the older R-pod models, you must install metal outriggers underneath the slide-out before using it. You can buy these outriggers from Forest River.

It might sound unfair since you’re probably not expecting to spend more on your trailer, but that’s how it works with old R-pods. Just think of the outriggers as a separate component you need to buy from a different supplier.

Then, once you have all the outriggers installed, you can use your slide-out without worrying that it might damage the floor and outer wall.

Be in the Know

A trailer is a huge investment, and a good investor only makes informed investment decisions. Do your homework before setting out to buy a trailer. Consider its primary purpose—it is made to make outdoor escapades fun and relaxing.

If it does the opposite, then it’s not a good investment. An R-pod can only be a good investment if you’re ready to deal with its imperfections. But considering it can be towed by just about any 4wd vehicle, it is worth trying out.

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