Need Slide Out Room Shear Bolts?

“Martine, can you send me some slide-out shear pins?” They hear that frequently at Premier RV Services in Junction City Oregon.

Which coach(s) is likely to have this problem?

Tribute, Inspire and Allure motorhomes with the Power Gear electric slide out room equipment running their slide out rooms do seem to shear those pins. 

The slide-out mechanisms equipped with the shear bolts are connected to a drive shaft. There are four shear bolts per slide out, one on either side of the motor and one at each end of the extension arms. These bolts are located next to the motor and in the bay under the slide room arm. The two bolts located under the slide out room arm are less visible (and less accessible).

What causes the bolts to shear off and break?

Bolts can become worn down if the room gets out of sequence/bound up. If the gears that turn the shaft fail to turn in sequence (i.e., “teeth” get off), then the timing is off and the bolt is over stressed. The bolts by design absorb pressure from the motor and the shaft and will sheer to protect the motor drive shaft mechanism if necessary.

Overloading the slide out room can cause bolts to break.  As a preventative measure, move these items off the slide room until it is retracted.  

If the bolts shear off, the slide out room can not be operated until the shear bolts are replaced.  It is a good idea to carry an extra set of slide out room shear bolts.

Nuts may work loose on their own from the back of the bolt. Do not replace the shear pin with just any  bolt that is threaded that fits in the hole. It requires a “shouldered*” bolt. *Shouldered bolts have an unthreaded shoulder that is larger in diameter than the threads. Also known as stripper bolts.

You may wish to call Premier RV Services, Junction City, OR, 541-998-2640 if you have need of sheer bolts.  Martine Montgomery, Parts Department, will be happy to order these shear bolts for you. Gary Obermire, Service Manager, can answer any questions you may have regarding this subject (or any other service issue you may wish addressed). 

Website: www.PremierRVServices.com