Slideout

[Dave&Ginny]

There have been several on the forum with issues concerning their slide motors. I believe most but not all have been issues with the electric motors. Since these motors are a maintenance issue, it sure would be nice if they built the trailers so the motors were easier to get to and replace.

If the motor home people can do this.....there's no reason why a 5th wheel manufacture can't.

[mhs4771]

But Dave, it might cost a few dollars more to make the motors accessable!
I will tell you that the Service Center Manager HATES that system and thinks the BAL Accu-slide Cable system is much better.
I guess time will tell, but I see DRV and RW have both moved to the BAL system.
So far we've had no problems with the BAL system and I just have to remove part of the bed platform to reach the motor.

[Ford truck guy]

ON our RL , we have 3 different styles of slides ~ Hydraulic , cable and electric...
I know of 2 dealers that I used to buy from in my pre RW days that swear by cable and hate Hydraulic ?? BUT than again , the sold units with cable systems !!
I have not met anyone that stated anything bad about their electric system , or Schwintec system other than on the forum ??

[mhs4771]

So you're saying that the 38RL has three switches for controlling the slides? Our 36RL only had two and the Livingroom/Kitchen were hydraulic rams tied together so the one with the least resistance would move first and the Bedroom was the Schwintec.
This MB is setup the same, only difference the Bedroom is now the BAL Cable system.

[Ford truck guy]

the 38 RL ( at least mine ) has 3 switches:
1-main slides -opposing sides , hydraulic
2-bedroom/closet slide , cable
3-bed slide in slide , Schwintec

[mhs4771]

Ah, the Slide-in-a-Slide, forgot about that, we never had one, so I forgot it's an option on some. We looked at upgrading to the 38 RL but had a real hard time finding that additional 2' over the 36 to justify the cost, so we went with the MB and love the Front Bath.

[Ford truck guy]

We also liked the Front Bath , but with 2 daughters , there was NO WAY I wanted a front bath,,, they shower at all the wrong times!!!

[sinder]

Some earlier Schwintec motors circa 2012 had issues with the casing and set screw. We had a major motor failure early on and the 2 dealers I visited knew there were issues on both 5 wheels and motor homes. I have not heard of any issues with newer model motors.

[Shane Wood]

I just had to replace the swintech motor in my big slide. The wiring harness fell off the circuit board where the wires were sodered on. apparently it is very common the new motor has a double plug now so it looks like they have improved it.

[Shane Wood]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

Ah, the Slide-in-a-Slide, forgot about that, we never had one, so I forgot it's an option on some. We looked at upgrading to the 38 RL but had a real hard time finding that additional 2' over the 36 to justify the cost, so we went with the MB and love the Front Bath.

Ladies
I thought you could get the slide in slide in the MB

[mhs4771]

Maybe, but we just wen't interested, partly because the Bedroom slide in the MB goes out farther than on other models.

[danrn]

Has anyone experienced their slides coming open while traveling? My last two trips I found my main slides opening a couple of inches. Each time we made a pit stop I would check the slides and had to hit the switch to tighten them back up.
I'm taking my RW in tomorrow for its first warranty service. I'll see what they have to say, but curious to see if anyone else has had the same problem.

[NW Snowbirds]

Originally Posted by danrn

Has anyone experienced their slides coming open while traveling? My last two trips I found my main slides opening a couple of inches. Each time we made a pit stop I would check the slides and had to hit the switch to tighten them back up.
I'm taking my RW in tomorrow for its first warranty service. I'll see what they have to say, but curious to see if anyone else has had the same problem.

Here is what the factory told me.
If the slides are operated with Swintek motors they depend on being powered to apply brakes to the motors. If you lost power to the motors then they will freewheel and the slides could open during hard turns. That is one reason the Redwood battery disconnect switch did not isolate the batteries. And also a reason to keeping the batteries connected to the system when towing.

[Shane Wood]

Your main slides in the rear are hydraulic and this should not happen

[Shane Wood]

Maybe your hitting that gas pedal to hard and the wind pressure is sucking them out

[danrn]

Originally Posted by Shane Wood

Maybe your hitting that gas pedal to hard and the wind pressure is sucking them out

Not when my wife is with me

[danrn]

Originally Posted by NW Snowbirds

Here is what the factory told me.
If the slides are operated with Swintek motors they depend on being powered to apply brakes to the motors. If you lost power to the motors then they will freewheel and the slides could open during hard turns. That is one reason the Redwood battery disconnect switch did not isolate the batteries. And also a reason to keeping the batteries connected to the system when towing.

Thanks Snowbirds, this is good information to keep in mind for my bedroom slides; they use the Swintek system. Presently the bedroom slides are good and tight; it is the main slides, and I believe they are hydraulic.
Nothing a little duck tape can't fix

[mhs4771]

Our previous 36RL had that issue at times, but it seemed to be related to temperature. If retracted early in the morning with pretty cool outside temps sometimes by mid-afternoon when the temp warmed up the main livingroom slide would be out 1/2 to 1". So thought it might have to do with the expanding of the fluid. Other times it would never move at all.