Slide cables

[Jeff n Susan]

I have a 2020 MHC 330RL with a frayed cable already on the bedroom slide . I do have 1 replacement that I can use, and I feel quite confident I can complete the job with no problems. My question that I have is "How many cables are there per slide room?" I looks at first glance that here are 4, but after digging a bit deeper, Is there 8???
I searched previous posts and I am not able to find the "quantity"
Thanks in advance!

[Carl n Susan]

There are 8 in total. 4 pull the slide in and can be seen from the outside when it is extended. 4 pull (sounds weird but that us how it works) the slide out. You can see them inside behind the fascia when the slide is retracted.

[Kirch1]

He is right it has eight cables pretty complex. I have a 2021 Montana high country and the cable on the bedroom slide broke third trip out and it was scraping and gouging the floor prior to it breaking. They did fix it at the dealership and I just got it back yesterday. So we will see.

[jsb5717]

To me the first question would be "why did it fray?". You might try to check into the alignment of the brackets. If it frayed once it will likely do it again.

[Dave W]

I think that if you look behind a slide valance you will find that there are actually 4 cables on a BAL Accuslide along with two adjusting bars and two cables attached to each of those bars and color coded as to their use, 2 out, 2 in. I carry a full set of four just in case tho so far haven't needed them.


https://www.balrvproducts.com/downlo...ice-manual.pdf

[mlh]

They are actually pretty simple. Think of the cables this way. If you had a box the size of your slide and needed to drag it across the floor you would attach a cable on the top and bottom of each end then you and a buddy would drag it across the floor. Then if you needed to pull it back you could attach cables again on the top and bottom of each end. That is what the gear box does.
Lynwood

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by Dave W

I think that if you look behind a slide valance you will find that there are actually 4 cables on a BAL Accuslide along with two adjusting bars and two cables attached to each of those bars and color coded as to their use, 2 out, 2 in. I carry a full set of four just in case tho so far haven't needed them.


https://www.balrvproducts.com/downlo...ice-manual.pdf

No, there are 8 cables in total in the BAL Accuslide mechanism. Take a look at Page 6 of the Service Manual you linked to see there are 2 cables on each of the four color coded blocks.

[Dave W]

Originally Posted by Carl n Susan

No, there are 8 cables in total in the BAL Accuslide mechanism. Take a look at Page 6 of the Service Manual you linked to see there are 2 cables on each of the four color coded blocks.


Attachment 9970

Take another look at that BAL manual drawing. All they are doing is indicating color and what cables do what, not that there are 8 cables and 4 adjusting bars. Confusing unless you have actually fully read the manual and actually looked at and worked on a cable slide. Remember that there are only 4 corners on a slide and each corner has a single cable hooked to it.

.

[DutchmenSport]

Originally Posted by Dave W

... Remember that there are only 4 corners on a slide and each corner has a single cable hooked to it.

.

But also consider, there are 4 corners, inside the camper and 4 corners outside the camper, for a total of 8 cables that led to somewhere? The 4 outside cables pull the slide "in". The 4 inside cables, pull the slide "out".

[Dave W]

Originally Posted by DutchmenSport

But also consider, there are 4 corners, inside the camper and 4 corners outside the camper, for a total of 8 cables that led to somewhere? The 4 outside cables pull the slide "in". The 4 inside cables, pull the slide "out".

Looks like I need to do a count of the cables on ours but that wont happen for a while since it's currently parked 125 miles away.

[Carl n Susan]

Having fully read the manual and having replaced 5 cables, I think I know how this system works. Here is a BIGGER picture of the adjusting blocks, from the same BAL reference, showing 4 blocks and 8 cables (2 to each block).

[mlh]

Think about it. It takes 4 cables to pull the slide out and 4 to pull it back in.
It’s like a little boy when ask why he was dragging a chain. He said did you ever try pushing one.
Lynwood

[glendodom]

Originally Posted by Carl n Susan

Having fully read the manual and having replaced 5 cables, I think I know how this system works. Here is a BIGGER picture of the adjusting blocks, from the same BAL reference, showing 4 blocks and 8 cables (2 to each block).
Attachment 9976

Where did you buy your cables. I have recently noticed that most of the suppliers on the internet show them all out of stock, except a couple who has their pricing at around $75-80. The pricing had been less than $30. Has anyone tried just buying 5/16" twisted steel cable versus buying the kits?

[mlh]

The cable isn’t 5/16 or at least mine isn’t. It measures .163 to about.167 which makes it 5/23. The only place I have found it is Grangers. I couldn’t find it at a hardware or Lowe’s.
Lynwood

[glendodom]

Originally Posted by mlh

The cable isn’t 5/16 or at least mine isn’t. It measures .163 to about.167 which makes it 5/23. The only place I have found it is Grangers. I couldn’t find it at a hardware or Lowe’s.
Lynwood

Correct, my error. 5/32" cable. On the BAL website for the kit, someone noted 5/32" cable and stated you could find it and other items, except the ferrule at most hardware stores? He noted he ended up using a 1/8 ferrule. Currently, I can't find a kit available for shipping less than $70 plus.

[Carl n Susan]

I found a BAL Replacement Cable Kit on Amazon (sourced from 5WheelOnline) for $36.62. Be quick as they only have 1 left.

https://www.amazon.com/BAL-22305-Cab...9512260&sr=8-1

[glendodom]

Originally Posted by glendodom

Where did you buy your cables. I have recently noticed that most of the suppliers on the internet show them all out of stock, except a couple who has their pricing at around $75-80. The pricing had been less than $30. Has anyone tried just buying 5/16" twisted steel cable versus buying the kits?

I measured my cables and they are 5/32”.

Where I was mislead about sizing diameter came from an online seller description that list as 5/16”. This stuff is confusing enough with specs being listed incorrectly.

[Gary and Joy]

I recently asked BAL where I can but replacement cables. They sent me to
https://www.colawrvsalvage.com/

I bought 3 for $117.74

[dfb]

Take it from one who has had the hydraulic big slide and the bedroom cable slide problems.. Bring it to a Pro...

[Mikelff]

Originally Posted by Carl n Susan

Having fully read the manual and having replaced 5 cables, I think I know how this system works. Here is a BIGGER picture of the adjusting blocks, from the same BAL reference, showing 4 blocks and 8 cables (2 to each block).
Attachment 9976

Carl, my 5er is in the shop as we speak getting a cable replaced under warranty. They are having issues finding parts. Having said that, I have read lots of experienced 5er folks with cable slides carry at least one spare cable kit. I have asked the dealer order me an extra cable. How many cables would you recommend as back up against cable failure while on a trip? Surely, you don't have multiple cables fail at once? Mine frayed at the top corner nearest where the cable connects to the slide. It hasn't broken yet, so we caught it before that happened. I have inspected all the other cables with no indication of wear or rubbing, inside and out, so it appears it was just one cable. I'm thinking one extra is enough, but maybe not? Your thoughts?