Important Slide Information - Page 2

**piper guy** · 02-19-2015, 01:48 PM

That was supposed to be more reliable than the Schwintek system. I hate auto spell on the iPad

**Dave&Ginny** · 02-19-2015, 03:37 PM

Thanks Vaughan......that 's good to know

Rick and Mindy · 02-19-2015, 04:30 PM

I think sometimes, you have to take what the salesman tells you very cautiously. They are not going to tell you that another system is better than theirs, it would defeat their purpose. Any salesman with any manufacturer will tell you their system is the best. I'm not saying one system is better than the other. Each system will be proven over time. Remember, the salesman is not the one making decisions on which product will be used in the build, but if he badmouths a particular system that is used, he won't be around very long.

**piper guy** · 02-19-2015, 04:40 PM

Rick ~ the guy that took us through the plant was the plant foreman. Continental Coach is a custom builder. Most of their stuff is 44+ feet and cost is not an issue.
Their normal tow vehicle is a Class 8 tractor that is custom painted to match the Coach. Most of the customers are coming out of large Diesel Pushers and each coach is totally custom.

My point is, if the Schwintek was the best way to go, they would use it. He told me they switched to the cable system because if properly installed and tensioned there were much less issues with it.

rob_fla · 02-19-2015, 08:35 PM

I hear the cable system pitch and I almost bought a 5th Wheel with a Cable operated slide but when I was looking at a show about the same time, I saw a 5th Wheel with a Cable Slide system and it had a broken cable on a brand new unit at the show. They tried to hide the broken cable behind the slide, (did not do a very good job of hiding it)
I still see cable operated slides with cables drooping due to lack of tension at almost every CG I go to.
I have also seen a lot of cable systems with elongated holes in the wall where the cable passes through due to cable rub from alignment issues.
Also talk to many cable slide system owners that they will tell you they always carry spare cables.
Maybe it is just an cable adjustment or something but all side systems have their advantages and disadvantages.
The main thing about the Cable System or the Schwintek System is you have to have your unit level when the slides are open and it is raining or the water will run down the track or cable and up into the wall.

**Dave&Ginny** · 02-20-2015, 02:36 AM

I'm not real sure which system is best and they all seem somewhat fragile. I don't understand why they couldn't match the system we have on our main slides.

Dan · 02-20-2015, 02:36 AM

There was Teton across from us and ALL the slides were screwed up

mhs4771 · 02-20-2015, 03:14 AM

I agree Dave. Our old Montana with only 2 slides, a living room and bedroom slide, were both hydraulic. Granted the cylinder took up space under the bed but didn't bother us. I can understand if you don't have a hydraulic pump system, but we have a nice big heavy duty system to run the jacks and the main slides, so why mess around with other systems for the bed slide, just add one more cylinder under the bed. Would work for me.

TNTBaker · 02-20-2015, 06:24 PM

I can say that we have also enjoyed the "instant fix" when lubricating the slide with the product they recommend and using that same video. EASY to do, and now Todd doesn't have to go outside and PUSH while I push the "RETRACT" button! Awesome.

lwg · 02-21-2015, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNTBaker

I can say that we have also enjoyed the "instant fix" when lubricating the slide with the product they recommend and using that same video. EASY to do, and now Todd doesn't have to go outside and PUSH while I push the "RETRACT" button! Awesome.

I know EXACTLY what you mean on all accounts!

usaf1949 · 02-21-2015, 02:07 PM

I agree, would have been very easy to have the same slides throughout and I think a lot less headaches. Maintenance on one system is great, why add more and different ones.

5th_Time · 02-21-2015, 02:58 PM

The main room slide on my RL leaked at the "O" ring for the Ram and dripped a couple quarts between the floor and belly pan. What a mess. They possibly considered that when contemplating using one in living space under the bed.

I agree the Swintek seems pretty fragile & barely up to the job.

atom ant · 02-21-2015, 05:19 PM

Beautiful setup! Glad it performed reasonably for you.

S&K · 02-22-2015, 01:06 AM

We took our RW in for it's 1st annual inspection yesterday. Had a few minor problems to address, but appartently, we had major issues according to the service tech. I'll post that on another thread on "yearly inspections".

I had noticed that our slides were 'squealing' upon opening or closing. I mentioned this to the service dept., and they ended up spraying two cans of WD-40 to loosen them up! He said the rollers were locked up tight and the gears were pretty rusty too. After their bath in WD-40, they only squeak upon pulling the slides in. He said to keep "bathing" them in WD-40 until they are quiet again, and then to use a dry silicone spray after that.

We live near the gulf coast, and even tho we siliconed the hydraulic jacks on a schedule, we didn't do that to the slides. Lesson learned. Also, we do have a LOT of surface rust underneath the unit, and we will be cleaning that up as well.

lwg · 02-22-2015, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S&K

I had noticed that our slides were 'squealing' upon opening or closing. I mentioned this to the service dept., and they ended up spraying two cans of WD-40 to loosen them up! He said the rollers were locked up tight and the gears were pretty rusty too. After their bath in WD-40, they only squeak upon pulling the slides in. He said to keep "bathing" them in WD-40 until they are quiet again, and then to use a dry silicone spray after that.

We live near the gulf coast, and even tho we siliconed the hydraulic jacks on a schedule, we didn't do that to the slides. Lesson learned. Also, we do have a LOT of surface rust underneath the unit, and we will be cleaning that up as well.

In general WD-40 is known to actually promote rust, not prevent it. Your dealership unfortunately did you a disservice by using it. Lippert explicity states to use CRC Powerlube ONLY on the schwintek slides.

**Dave&Ginny** · 02-22-2015, 08:46 PM

WD40 is a great product to have on hand because it can remove tar, bugs and even gum but it also attracts dirt and grime. It also isn't good in real cold weather.

If it were me, I'd use "PB Blaster" to free things up and then flush it with the silicone. I believe "PB" will do a better job freeing rusty parts but like the WD40 it too will attract dirt and grime.

I'm glad you were able to get your slides working as they should. Everybody with a wrench has their own opinions on how to fix things.

S&K · 02-22-2015, 09:22 PM

Thanks lwg and Dave. Will look for the PB Blaster to flush out the rust. I do have a can of the CRC protectant; but think I'll wait to put that on until it's less rusty.

TexasRver · 02-22-2015, 11:34 PM

So much to learn about maintaining the Redwood. Anyone have a link for the slide maintence video (great room and bedroom also)?

Thanks in advance.
Doug