Community Forums

Gonna_Wander · 10-24-2016, 05:18 PM

We have had two Class-A RV's (Winnebagos) that both had slide problems. Sticking, not coming in/out, failed motors. We are getting ready to purchase a Newmar DP and would love to make smart choices (if possible) to reduce the chance of slide issues with our new RV.

We are considering a few models that have a full-wall slide and also a couple that have no full-wall slide but do have 4 smaller slides. Do you think going with a model that has 4 smaller slides, versus a full-wall slide, will reduce the risk of having slide issues? Or, is it just luck of the draw and the 4 slide models are just as likely to have problems?

Lug_Nut · 10-24-2016, 05:33 PM

If you had asked me a year ago, my answer may have been different. I had issues with the full wall slide that did not seem to ever get fixed right. Well. no wonder! I took it to the factory and they finally found the problem and fixed it. It was the main carrier rollers. This is a one in a million issue. Based on that, and it has worked great ever since, I would go full wall slide without worry.

Having the space and open concept feeling makes the FWS the definite way to go!

Peter

PDR John · 10-24-2016, 06:15 PM

If you are looking at Dutch Star and up (2016 and newer), the full wall slide has no electric motors.

It is now all hydraulic, using 2 rams for in/out and 5 for up/down.

All small slides still use electric motors.

tom chelbana · 10-24-2016, 06:20 PM

Newmar was the first with slides in production motor homes and are still the leader on slides. The full wall slide really opens open the coach and since they have been doing full wall slides now for over 5 years you will be OK which way you go. Do keep shore power connected and the coach air bags full when using slides.

"007" · 10-24-2016, 06:34 PM

Welcome to the forum.
Here is information on all type slides and operation,if not followed on FWS, here is the newest slide information since 2012.
All slides could have a problem but I never had a slide problem on the smaller slides in my Newmars they all can be taken care of if you have the nohow using links provided.
All the links below in my signature will have info for what ever Newmar you get.
We have many owners enjoying their FWS's
Good luck with your new Newmar.

PantherJeep · 10-24-2016, 07:03 PM

We have two Newmars in our family (my Ventana 3434 and my parents' Bay Star 3124), both with full-wall slides. Both coaches' slides have been 100% completely trouble-free in the two years between us that we've had them. Based on our experience so far, I personally don't think the FWS carries any additional risk of failure over the smaller slides when operated as recommended by Newmar.

Ceratto's Grotto · 10-24-2016, 08:49 PM

We have a FWS and two smaller ones. I've had another mfgr's FWS rig also, (Monaco). While I've not had problems with the Newmar slides (or the Monaco hydraulic one), I find the slide lock bars hard to use and some hard to see so I currently only use one slide lock on each slide (the one that can be accessed more easly and can be visually inspected as to its position - locked or not). Newmar now has an optional auto lock system which I'd seriously consider if purchasing again. It is not a practical upgrade on existing systems I was told, ($$$). I was told that Newmar now provides slide roller protectors for the floor as the rollers can, over time or if debris is caught under them and between the floor, can mark the floors. They sell them for somewhere north of $20 each. I needed 10 and made some by buying 12"x24" floor tiles with the sticky back (Home Depot) and applying a thin fabric backing on them (cheap canvas from WalMart) for significantly less than the Newmar cost, (no logo on them though). I chatted with Newmar support regarding the sequence of putting slides in and out and they said the sequence for putting the slides out has changed, at least Newmar's recommended method has. They recommended that one put the FWS slide out first, without leveling the rig (based upon thinking that with any flexing the FWS did 'with the rig in motion' putting it out without leveling would be better), then level the rig, then put the small slides out. I tried that a few times and it did not like the way things sounded and such, so I level the rig put out the FWS, then the two smaller slides, reversing the sequence putting them in. If I thought I'd maybe flexed the motor home in transit, (rough road, off roading, etc.), or I docked on a very unlevel surface requiring significant leveling by the jacks, I may rethink that.

The Hamptons, (Wally & Wendy)
NW Washington State
2015 Newmar Ventana LE 3436
2005 Mini Cooper S