Equalizer Systems Slide-Out Adjustment, Troubleshooting, and Timing Shaft Replacement Guide

Slide Room Height Adjustment

Proper room height adjustment is critical for slide-out operation. It is important to maintain weight on the slide-out rail mechanism throughout the range of motion.

Non-Flat or Above Floor Slide Out:

Measurement: Dimension from bottom of slide box to top of inner rail.

Let 'A' be the dimension from the bottom of the slide box to the top of the inner rail.

Let 'B' be the dimension from the bottom of the slide box to the top of the inner rail.

Requirement: B must be equal to or greater than A. Typically, B = A (+/- 0").

[Diagram: Non-flat slide-out cross-section showing measurements A (bottom of box to top of inner rail) and B (bottom of box to top of inner rail).]

Flat or Flush Floor Slide Out:

Scenario 1: Floor of the room positioned at the top of the ramp.

Let 'A' be the dimension from the bottom of the slide box to the top of the inner rail.

Let 'B' be the dimension from the bottom of the slide box to the top of the inner rail.

Requirement: B must be equal to or greater than A. Typically, B = A (+/- 0").

[Diagram: Flat/flush slide-out cross-section (room at top of ramp) showing measurements A and B, where B must be >= A.]

Scenario 2: Floor of the room positioned at the bottom of the ramp.

Let 'A' be the dimension from the bottom of the slide box to the top of the inner rail.

Requirement: B = A + thickness of slide-out floor. Typically, B = A + floor thickness + 1/8".

These dimensions ensure the inner rail is roughly parallel to the bottom of the slide room floor.

If the 'B' dimension is less than 'A', the inner rail will lift as the room closes, causing unnecessary strain on the mechanism.

The 'B' dimension can be greater than 'A' without causing damage or wear.

[Diagram: Flat/flush slide-out cross-section (room at bottom of ramp) showing measurement A and B, where B includes floor thickness.]

Slide-out height adjustment is made via bolts at the end of the inner slide-out rail that fasten the room attach bracket. Both the inner rail and the bracket have slotted holes for vertical and horizontal adjustment.

[Image: Close-up of slide-out rail connection showing bolts and slotted holes for adjustment.]

If proper dimensions cannot be achieved with existing adjustment, shims may be necessary between the room attachment bracket and the slide room.

[Image: Close-up showing yellow arrows indicating areas to add shims between the room attachment bracket and the slide room.]

Note: Adjustments may affect the alignment of paint graphics.

Rail Alignment and Clearance

Ensure room attachment brackets have adequate clearance when the system is retracted.

The alignment of the inner slide-out rail in relation to the outer rail is critical. The inner rail must be centered in the outer rail and rest squarely on the bottom wear pad.

[Diagram: Side view of inner rail within outer tube, showing the bottom wear pad protruding below the outer rail.]

Ensure wear pads protrude fully through the outer tube and that the support frame does not interfere with them.

Bracket and Tube Alignment:

[Diagram: Top view showing correct bracket and tube alignment (inner rail centered in outer tube).]

[Diagram: Top view showing incorrect bracket and tube alignment (inner rail off-center), with instruction to loosen nuts and square brackets.]

Cylinder Rod Clearance - Flat/Flush Floor Systems

Clearance between the hydraulic cylinder's chrome rod and the timing shafts is vital for proper slide-out timing and performance. Issues arise in flat/flush floor systems if the cylinder rod contacts the timing shaft during travel, potentially causing shaft deflection, bending, or broken gears.

Contact between the cylinder rod and hard surfaces can also lead to cylinder leakage or failure.

[Diagram: Slide-out mechanism highlighting cylinder rod and timing shafts, showing potential contact.]

[Image: Photograph of timing shaft and cylinder rod in close proximity.]

Clearance is determined by the positioning of the cylinder room attach bracket (rod end) and the placement of the cylinder's base end. The cylinder's path is restricted by the need to pass through the unit's sidewall. In flush floor applications, the cylinder must also move slightly downward as the room extends to accommodate floor drop.

[Image: Photograph of the rod end of the hydraulic cylinder attached to the slide room bracket.]

[Image: Photograph showing cylinder rod passing through an opening above a baggage door.]

[Image: Photograph of the base end of the hydraulic cylinder and its attachment point.]

Room Cylinder Clearance Issues:

Rear (base end) of cylinder mounted too low:

For best results, the center of the cylinder's base end threaded rod should be 3/4" below the bottom of the floor (e.g., roof of baggage compartment). Alternatively, the outer diameter of the flat washer should be nearly in contact with the bottom of the floor.

[Image: Photograph of rear cylinder base end with washer nearly touching floor.]

Nylon "brush" sweep interference:

The nylon sweep at the cutout, if mounted improperly, can interfere with the cylinder rod.

[Image: Photograph showing cylinder rod and nylon sweep, indicating potential interference.]

Cylinder stroke mismatch:

If the cylinder stroke is not set to match the room travel distance, the cylinder may "bow" when the room is fully extended. This bowed rod can contact the timing shaft or the cutout, causing severe damage.

[Diagram: Illustration of a bowed cylinder rod contacting the cutout opening.]

To correct this, adjust the rod end jamb nuts so the cylinder is fully extended simultaneously with the slide room's full extension.

[Image: Photograph of rod end attachment bracket with jamb nuts, showing adjustment points.]

When adjusting cylinder extension, note that changes affect retraction. Over-retraction can damage flanges. Additional adjustment at the rear of the cylinder may be needed to ensure the cylinder is fully extended when the room is fully extended and fully retracted when the room is fully retracted.

[Image: Photograph of rear cylinder adjustment mechanism.]

It may be necessary to leave a space between the two sets of jamb nuts on the room attachment bracket.

[Image: Photograph showing space between jamb nuts on room attachment bracket.]

Cylinder rod to room bracket mounted too high:

Best results are achieved when this bracket is mounted as low as possible, while still allowing it to recess into the coach's belt-rail.

[Image: Photograph of cylinder connection bracket mounted high.]

[Diagram: Illustration of cylinder connection bracket with flange oriented upwards (correct).]

Installation of Cylinder Rod Guard (p/n 2778) - Flat / Flush Floor Only

The cylinder rod guard (p/n 2778) can be added to flat floor systems to physically prevent the cylinder rod from contacting the timing shaft. It is not intended as a substitute for proper component placement and adjustment. This guard is used only in center drive flat floor applications.

[Image: Photograph of Cylinder Rod Guard (p/n 2778) mounted to slide mechanism frame.]

Installation of Inner Rail Pads - Non Flat Floor (kitchen slide-out) ONLY

Inner rail pads can be added to kitchen slide-outs to prevent the inner rail from lifting during room cycles. These pads are placed above the inner rails and attached with screws to the laminate floor structure. Pads are supplied in two sizes (.187" and .25").

Installation Steps:

1. Ensure proper rail height setting.
2. Fully retract the slide-out.
3. Position rail pad(s) above the inner rail at the end of the outer tube. Insert the largest size that fits between the inner tube and the floor without forcing. Two pads can be stacked for additional space.
4. Position the pads as shown in the diagrams and attach with self-tapping screws.

[Diagram: Cross-section showing UHMW strip insertion, avoiding cylinder side overlap.]

[Diagram: Cross-section showing UHMW rail pad installed and fastened with self-tapping screws.]

[Image: Photograph of UHMW rail pad installed on inner rail.]

Note: Ensure the pad is flush with the edge of the outer rail on the cylinder side.

[Image: Photograph showing installed pad flush with outer rail edge.]

Timing Shaft Replacement

Timing shaft replacement should be performed with the room almost fully retracted. Cutouts in the outer and inner tubes of the slide rail assembly align when the slide is nearly retracted, allowing gear removal.

Procedure:

• Position the slide-out to align gear removal cutouts.
• Disconnect the timing coupler in the center of the two shafts.
• Loosen setscrews on shaft collars or bearings (model dependent).
• Remove bolts from bearings.
• Remove shafts from the coach.
• Examine inner rail gear racks for damage and remove debris.
• Install new components in reverse order.
• Tighten center bearing mounting bolts first. Position shafts so the outer diameter of the timing coupler is almost in contact with the unit floor (baggage compartment ceiling).
• With center bearings tight, gently pull down on the shaft to ensure the gear is fully engaged in the gear rack, then tighten the bearing. Avoid pulling too hard to prevent gear binding. If too loose, it may skip and bind. Make gear engagement adjustments with the slide-out nearly fully retracted.
• Ensure the gear is properly centered with the gear rack and tighten one of the shaft collars or setscrews in a middle bearing.
• Adjust room timing and tighten the timing coupler.
• Tighten all shaft collar or bearing setscrews (optional); typically, only setscrews on middle bearings are tightened.

[Diagram: Cross-section of slide-out inner tube showing spur gear, gear rack, and timing shaft.]

Timing Adjustment Procedure:

[Diagram: Timing adjustment procedure illustration.]

1. Loosen the three 3/4" nuts on the coupling.
2. Square the room by physically manipulating it. Note: Bolts may need removal to square the room.
3. Tighten the nuts.

[Diagram: Exploded view of timing shaft coupling.]

Maintenance and Lubrication

Slide-out mechanisms are designed to operate without added lubrication. Greases and oils can trap dirt, leading to premature wear.

If desired, a coating of WD40 or silicone spray can be applied to the mechanism to prevent rust. Wipe off any excess.