KSDP 3943 Dining Slide Locks Access?

[afrank1971]

Anyone have any idea how to gain access to the slide locks on the dining slide of a 2008 Kountry Star 3943? Would also be the same, I believe, as a 2009 and newer Dutch Star 4043. Both slide locks have broken and so I need to get in there to replace or fix them, probably the actuators need to be replaced. Replacing the actuator's isn't all that tough once you figure out how the whole system works and comes together, had to replace one on the bedroom slide already. But on the dinette slide, the locks are not accessible, they are behind a cabinet. I assume the cabinet must be able to come out somehow without having to tear the whole place apart. Just hoping someone else has had some experience with it and could hopefully give me some tips and point me in the right direction to start. Thanks!

PS: The automatic slide locks have been a nightmare, 3 out of 8 now have broken since new. Poor design on Newmar's part, or at least poor choice of OEM equipment, as I notice the new actuators they're using look and feel a lot stronger than the ones original installed on my coach.

["007"]

This thread explains how to get to locks at both ends of slide through a finished box in cabinets.
There is information in Quick Tips LINK for slide controls and Newmars slide mechanism's scroll to bottom of link.

[clnhse]

I had an early 08 dutchstar and about 5 of those went out. You would know none were under warranty. They are about 200 dollars each. I keep extras. Later in the game they sent a much better design. My new Mountainaire has the newer design. You can gain access by pulling the panel out. It is stapled in so you will have to hook it somehow. You will think you will break the wood but that is the only way to get it out. I then trimmed it to go in and out easier. You will also have to remove some staples. Do not worry it will not fall out the carpet will hold it in place. here is where the new ones come from....Linear Actuators, Linear Motors, Micro motors, Electric Motors

[afrank1971]

I wondered if that was the trick, you mean the thin venear wood on each side of the inside of the cabinet, right? The wood in front of where one would expect to find the plastic shroud like on all the rest of locks? I started to try to pry those out, but like you said, it feels like you're going to break it all to pieces, and it seems like there must be some other, simpler way that was meant for getting in there. I was thinking maybe the whole cabinet could unscrew and then slide out of the way, but that would require detaching the wires to the lights and stuff, so seems like more work than should be necessary. I'll check it out. Thanks!

Meanwhile, have the new design actuators been more reliable for you? I sure hope so! I'm tired of having to replace them, and holding my breath every time I open a slide wodering if it's going to snap or quit working.

And lastly, yeah, just found the link to the actuator manufacturer today, thanks! They're a lot cheaper directly from them versus what Newmar will kindly sell them to you for. The first two I bought from Newmar at somewhere between $200 and $275, can't recall for sure. But they're for sale on-line from Linear Actuators at $110 all day long. Thinking I'll go ahead and replace all the rest of mine while I'm at it, since they're suddenly less than half price.

[clnhse]

Yes the thin wood is the key... Once you get it out. Take it to a grinder ans shave it a little so it is easier to get it back.....

The new ones are much better. I have not had any break yet. My new Mountainaire has the new ones also. They sound better.....

I have not bought any from that company. When Newmar sent me the last ones that is where they came from.

[afrank1971]

I managed to pry the thin wood back so I can see in there, but it's hung up on the 1 by 1's that hold that and the back panel in, so not quite there yet. But from what I can see, even after I get that wood out, it looks real tight. Is it really doable to get in there and replace the actuator through that tiny hole, without having to remove the whole metal box assembly from the coach?

[clnhse]

That is the only way....also go to Radio Shack and get a barrel pin tool remover...... All the pins on the RV are from Radio Shack. There is a tool to remove them from the plug to pass the wires. It is a silver tool that looks like a needle....

[afrank1971]

Right on, sounds like a visit to Radio Shack is in my future. Thanks for your help, will post any further tips or tricks I find as I work my way through this.

[Renden]

If you are really stuck, no parts, no service and the locks are out - what do you do to secure your slides while travelling to a Newmar Service Centre ??

[afrank1971]

Well, how you deal with it depends entirely on how they break. The first one of mine broke with the slide in, and it wouldn't unlock, so it was simple, just leave the slide in and the lock broken in the locked position until I had time to fix it. These current two broke while trying to lock the slide in, which I think is really your question, what do you do if the slide is in but you can't lock the locks. My answer, nothing, and don't worry about it. I can't recommend it, but I believe there are a lot of people out there with manual locks that don't use them at all. The slide mechanism itself holds the slide in just fine under normal circumstances. It's best to have the locks locked, but certainly not something thats going to prevent you from going on with your life and fixing them when convenient.

My currently broken locks, for instance, broke at Little America, WY. We used duct tape to hold the locks in against the slide to make sure there were out of the way and get the sensors to make contact, then the slide operated normally. From there we went on the the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands in Eastern WY for a week, then on to the Black Hills for a couple days, then on to Highmore, SD, in the middle of the state, for a week, and finally back home to LA. The slide went in and out just fine, and never budged or even maid a sound while traveling. I had half a mind to just glue the locks shut and forget about it, but now that I'm home and over the frustration, fixing the locks just seems like the right (though more expensive) thing to do.

What can be tricky is getting the slide to operate or some in, depending on how the locks break. Luckily, my locks broke completely and I could simply reach over and push the lock in. If it breaks midway, then you'd still be able to travel, assuming the slide is in, but it would make your trip a little less enjoyable if it completely incapacitated your slide and you had to leave it in the whole time.

Hope thay helps?