Keystone Cougar Slide Problems

Keystone Cougar Slide Problems & How To Fix Them

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One of the most common issues we hear about from RVers is Keystone Cougar slide problems.  Unfortunately the Keystone Cougar slide out problems are fairly common and if it’s your first time dealing with them it can really throw you off.

We put this guide together to help you resolve your Keystone Cougar slide problems so you can get back to enjoying your RV.

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Keystone Cougar Slide Problems – 7 Common Issues

Keystone Cougar Slide Out Problems

Not Enough Power

Your Keystone Cougar slides need power to extend and retract.

If there’s insufficient power, the slides on your Cougar RV will get stuck, and this is the first (and easiest) thing you should check for when you have slide out issues.

Check the slide out power supply on your Keystone Cougar for blown fuses, bad or damaged wiring, or a weak battery.

How To Check The Keystone Cougar Slide Out Power Supply

  • Step 1: Locate the slide out motor
  • Step 2: Verify that 12V DC is being supplied to the motor leads
  • Step 3: With the motor bolted on, disconnect both wire leads to the motor, leaving enough length to strip the wires and connect wires to a power source
  • Step 4: Using a fully charged 12V DC batter or equivalent 70-amp minimum power source, connect motor wire leads directly.  (If you need to use extra wire to splice leads, use 10guage minimum).
  • Step 5: Observe motor during the operation.  If it functions correctly on your new power source, then your old/existing power source is the problem.

The Slide-Out Is Blocked By Something

Sometimes objects can get stuck between the Keystone Cougar’s body and the slide outs, causing slide out issues and preventing the slide out from opening or closing fully.

Take a look in there and identify (and remove) any foreign objects to clear up your problem.

Keystone Cougar Slide Out Keeps Stopping While Retracting

Some Keystone Cougar RV owners have experienced no issues while extending the slide out, but when retracting it the slide out will stop after a few inches, then continue on after a few seconds, a few inches at a time until the cycle finally completes.

Here are the most common causes of this Keystone Cougar slide problem:

RV Circuit Breaker
RV Circuit Breaker

Bad bi-metal breaker: These 12V 30 amp auto reset breakers are typically pretty reliable but if they get wet or exposed to battery acid or acid vapors they can corrode and become problematic.  You can pick one up at most auto parts stores and at any RV parts center.

Bad auto-reset circuit breakers in your power distribution panel: These are often copper-colored and in the top fuse slots, can control the slide out motors, and can go bad just like the bi-metal breakers.

Keystone Cougar Slides Stopping Halfway Out Or In

If the slideouts on your Keystone Cougar RV are stopping when extended about halfway, the rollers under the slide may have “grabbed” onto the carpeting or other material inside your RV and now the rollers aren’t functioning properly.

Inspect the rollers and make sure they’re clear of debris and material before attempting to close or open your slide-out.

Your Slide Out Isn’t Well-Lubricated

Your Keystone Cougar slide problems could be coming from the slide-out mechanisms not being properly lubricated.

Try Zep45 or white lithium grease spray to lubricate the slide mechanisms.

The Slide Out Rail System Could Be Damaged

Check the slide out rails on your Keystone Cougar to see if they are twisted or bent.

If they are, then the rest of the system is going to have a tough (or impossible) time trying to retract or extend your slide out.

Additionally, having any rail bends or twists can eventually cause your slideout to get misaligned, which will be a whole extra problem to resolve.

Your Slide Out Needs Alignment

Sometimes the slide outs on your Cougar will go out of alignment over time due to use and age.

This is easily seen when you notice sagging vertically or horizontally when the slide out is extended.

The slide out also has two sets of cables that are engaged differently during extension and retraction, and they each work together.

Check that one set of cables is tight and that the other has some slack to them.

If you find that this isn’t the case, then you need to adjust the system to get back to proper alignment.

Here’s a good video on how to align, adjust, and lubricate your Keystone Cougar slide out:

Check out our guide on how to fix a sagging RV slide out for an in-depth walkthrough of this process and for more helpful tips.

The Controller Is Bad

Sometimes it can be as simple as the Lippert slide-out controller going bad that’s causing your Keystone Cougar slide out problems.

Access the slide out and have it tested to see if you need to replace it – it’s way cheaper than replacing a slide out motor!

Wrapping Up How To Fix Keystone Cougar Slide Problems

We hope this guide helped you to diagnose and resolve your Keystone Cougar slide out problems.

What issue were you experiencing, and what ended up solving the problem?  Let us and your fellow Keystone Cougar owners know in the comments below.

While you’re here, check out our other helpful RV repair guides:

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