Slide-Out back up retraction.

Danj2718

Member
I have a 2021 Mallard M335 and would like to have some guidance on how to retract a slide-out if it fails to retract electrically. Thanks in advance.
 

BST

Member
I have a 2021 Mallard M335 and would like to have some guidance on how to retract a slide-out if it fails to retract electrically. Thanks in advance.
Not sure what type of system you have in the 2021. I have a 2013 Cyclone 3010 that has a hydraulic pump and two solenoids and I have had to manually operate them. One of the solenoids is for the slideouts and one for the landing gear. The pump and slideout solenoid are located near each other (in the same compartment) and the landing gear solenoid is located in the right side propane compartment and on top of the right landing gear. If you have a hydraulic system you'll need to figure out where they are.

If you do have a hydraulic pump then you will have a solenoid(s). Locate the pump and and the solenoid(s). To manually operate disconnect the. electrical plugs at the pump and solenoid(s). Using a 5/32” hex wrench, open the solenoid valve by turning the manual override set screw clockwise to where it stops and DO NOT force into a tight position (the set screw is located inside the end of the solenoid),
Using an electric/battery drill with a 1/4" hex bit, insert the hex bit into the manual override located in the end of the hydraulic pump to manually
operate the system (there will be an ID sticker at the end of the pump that has arrows indicating which way to have your drill turn). Run the drill forward (clockwise) to retract the landing gear or slideouts or in reverse (counterclockwise) to extend the landing gear or slideouts.
Be sure to turn the manual override set screw on the solenoid valve and pump back to the counterclockwise
position after extending or retracting the landing gear or leveling jacks.

Hope this helps,

scotty
 

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  • Slideout Solenoid.JPG
    Slideout Solenoid.JPG
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  • Landing Gear Solenoid.JPG
    Landing Gear Solenoid.JPG
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Danj2718

Member
Not sure what type of system you have in the 2021. I have a 2013 Cyclone 3010 that has a hydraulic pump and two solenoids and I have had to manually operate them. One of the solenoids is for the slideouts and one for the landing gear. The pump and slideout solenoid are located near each other (in the same compartment) and the landing gear solenoid is located in the right side propane compartment and on top of the right landing gear. If you have a hydraulic system you'll need to figure out where they are.

If you do have a hydraulic pump then you will have a solenoid(s). Locate the pump and and the solenoid(s). To manually operate disconnect the. electrical plugs at the pump and solenoid(s). Using a 5/32” hex wrench, open the solenoid valve by turning the manual override set screw clockwise to where it stops and DO NOT force into a tight position (the set screw is located inside the end of the solenoid),
Using an electric/battery drill with a 1/4" hex bit, insert the hex bit into the manual override located in the end of the hydraulic pump to manually
operate the system (there will be an ID sticker at the end of the pump that has arrows indicating which way to have your drill turn). Run the drill forward (clockwise) to retract the landing gear or slideouts or in reverse (counterclockwise) to extend the landing gear or slideouts.
Be sure to turn the manual override set screw on the solenoid valve and pump back to the counterclockwise
position after extending or retracting the landing gear or leveling jacks.

Hope this helps,

scotty
Thanks, Scotty, Mine, however, is the electric, cable-operated one. The tool to manually retract it came with the camper. My issue is that you haveto take off the trim on top of the slide to get to the motor and that appears to be somewhat destructive in nature. Meaning, pry-bar and hammer as they neglected to make a removable piece just for that.
 

thewanderingeight

Well-known member
If you are gentle, you can get the trim pieces off without damaging them, and then just decide how you want to put them back on. When we took ours off, instead of putting the original trim back on, I cut thing pieces of utility board, and then my wife stained it. To re-install, I used some screws so I could easily take the pieces on and off again.

It's really a poor design that all of the manufacturers use. These systems need to be looked at yearly (maybe more depending on use) to ensure they are still in good shape and nothing has shifted. Why they used a design that did not allow easy access to the motors and adjustments for the wires is beyond me!

Overall, the cable system is ok, I was never thrilled with it but never had an issue in the time we had the Travel Trailer. The biggest thing with that system is to inspect it every once in a while to ensure all the cables are still in proper alignment. If the slide starts acting odd, or you hear odd noises, don't ignore them! The system may just need a slight adjustment which is literally just turning some nuts. If you take care of it early, you will avoid costly repairs. The main thing that seems to happen is the cables breaking. I use to carry a replacement with me just in case. They sell a repair kit that includes everything you need except a crimping tool. If the motor goes out, just use the tool they gave you to manually operate the motor, but if the cable goes out, you don't have many good options unless you have a spare with you.
 

sengli

Well-known member
They motor and cable assembly on the fifth wheels is under, and behind the bed frame. Its next to impossible to access that thing as well. So dont think yours set up is the only one that is basically not reachable. Be vigilant on making sure the four cables on the slide are tight, and if one of them starts to gets loose suddenly address the issue quickly! Seems like there are a lot of threads on here about the BAL cable type type slide mechanisms.

But yes that cable assembly with the hex driver bit... in a power drill is the way to get that slide back in if something fails. I actually carry the motor and gearbox assembly as a spare part in the RV with me just in case. If you break a cable though, or that motor asembly pulls off the wall somehow. Your stuck, and may have to call a travel tech to rescue you.
 
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