Question about Fleetwood Slides

[jrshall]

Hi,

I'm new to irv2, and am trying to get some info about Fleetwood slide outs. I currently own 1999 Kountry Star (gas), but am considering buying a 2006 Southwind 32vs. Overall, the rig is in very good to excellent condition, with only 3,000+ miles on it. The rig is kept on an owned RV lot, and is not moved very often. There is an extended warranty on the rig that expires in October.

While checking it out, the owner brought the living room slide in. When it started in there was a loud scraping noise, and the slide started and stopped several times before finally coming in smoothly. The owner checked and found a sewer cap sitting, I think, on one of the slide rails, and thought that was blocking the rail, causing the slide to jerk a lot at first.

The owner said the scraping noise sometimes happens when the slide has been out for a long period.

I did a search for slide out problems and found one thread dealing with problems getting the slide in, but there wasn't too much on it.

So, my questions to you folks. First, is there a significant problem with the Fleetwood slides, or is it only a problem with a few? Second, do others have a similar scraping noise from their slides, and if so, what was the solution? Finally, any suggestions on how to address this problem?

Oh, one more question. When the slide has been in for awhile, then put out, does it leave any indents or impressions in the carpet? My current rig has rollers just under the edge of the slide. When it is put out after being in for some time the rollers leave deep imprints in the carpet that are very difficult to remove.

Thanks for all your help. I look forward to being a part of your community.

Jerry

[NLOVNIT]

We've got an 06 Bounder & I would think the slide mechanism is the same as ours. We had only 1 issue with our LR slide & it was due to a faulty rocker switch, not anything to do with the slide mechanism. We lube it frequently throughout the season & before winter storage. Ours moves smoothly & with no scraping/screeching/binding noises. I would be suspicious of one that did. The mechanism is very strong & I doubt something as small as a sewer cap would cause it to hesitate. More likely it would easily crush it.

If it has been rarely moved & sitting most of the time, there are a lot of things that will need checked. These rigs are designed to move, not sit around for years on end. I'd have it gone over with a fine-tooth comb by a qualified tech, to be sure there are no surprises. The extended warranty might not pay for as much as you'd think it would.

As for the slide rollers, they do leave unavoidable indents in the carpet. I just scuff them up with a hairbrush to make them less noticeable. Also, the carpet in our Bounder is very light & I do have to clean the roller area of the carpet each year (when we're ready to winterize it for cold weather storage) as the rollers also seem to grind in dirt & leave marks on the carpet. Not an issue, but something to be aware of.

Hey, I see this was your first post. Welcome to iRV2!

Lori-

[Rocky 2]

I have an 06 Southwind 32VS and I cannot say that the 36 ft Bounder slide is the same as the 32 ft Southwind. I can say I had the LR slide fail to retract while camping in Denali in 2007, still under warranty from Power Gear. After returning home and messing around for four months with Power Gear, my home town mechanic installed an upgraded motor for me.

To your questions: If you hear a scraping sound, something is hanging up and needs to be identified. Possible causes to check are the worm gear, the mounting bolts of the housing, the allignment (is it coming in kitty corner?), or is the slide hitting the drivers chair or something on the floor. Creaking sounds are not necessarily bad because it could be flexing of metal compartments.

As mentioned above, an 06 with only 3000 miles needs to be thoroughly checked. Are the tires flat spotted, batteries hold a charge, interior rubber gasket dried out on the windows, vent fans. Have the recalls on any chassis issues been done, Norcold reefer. This could be a real gem but having a professional check things out might be a good investment. You should also make sure the automatic jacks work properly. Two of my four failed in the first year and that is not uncommon problem on the 2006 models.

[Elkhartjim]

I agree with Rocky 2. A mh with 3000 miles and a third of those could have been put on during delivery could have many hidden problems. How about the genset? It should have been exercised monthly.

My experience has been, the more its used, the better things are.

[Batman_777]

Scraping Sound = NOT GOOD

I have a 2008 Fleetwood... No scraping sounds.. Slides run Smooth as silk, No problems

[riggarob]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batman_777 Scraping Sound = NOT GOOD I have a 2008 Fleetwood... No scraping sounds.. Slides run Smooth as silk, No problems

I hope you were knocking on a wooden desk the whole time you were typing this!!!!!!!!!!!!Robbie

[Gary RVRoamer]

I don't think Fleetwood has any more (or any less) problems with slides than anybody else. No, scraping noises and stop & go operation are not normal operation on a Fleetwood coach, regardless of brand or length. Something is wrong with this one and needs to be investigated and repaired.

The coach builders buy their slide mechanisms from suppliers, usually Power Gear.

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

Power Gear makes the slide mechanical mechanism. Many other motorhome manufacturer's use this companies slide mechanisms as well.

The mechanism is one thing though. The box (wall's/ends/floor/roof) is another. This box is of course built by Fleetwood. For the most part it's not too bad, but in my opinion the floor portion the smooth part you see when you look up under the slide isn't built very well. At least not on the ends. Take a look at the attached photo and you'll see what I mean.



This is the kitchen slide that's separating, and the bedroom slide on the other side of the moho is doing the same thing. You can't see it in the photo but the underside is completely smooth. I though about putting some screws in it to suck it back up but I'm sure Fleetwood intentionally did not put screws here because they want to make sure it doesn't snag on anything, like a screw, when it moves in and out.

For the time being I guess I'll just fill the gap with silicon adhesive, at least to keep water out but I'm at a loss to figure out what to do about a permanent fix.

[RovinOn]

I have an 05 Southwind, all slides work perfectly with no sound effects.
Maybe since this one has been sitting for awhile it needs to be lubricated and exercised to get it back into operating condition.

Regards,
RovinOn
05 Southwind 37C

[exrench]

All three slides in my '04 37C Southwind have always creaked and groaned going in and going out with no ill effects except streak marks on the carpet under the sofa slide.I will not get emotional about this aspect of my rig,as in 40K miles it has given me a pile of other issues to"keep me young"

[jamespcox]

Has anyone had the Fleetwood slide push the carpet towards the curbside as it slides in? It only happens on the Livingroom slide, on the front or driver's end of the slide. It puckers the carpet between the front seats. I am trying to figure out how to stretch the carpet back towards the street side of the coach. Any ideas how to prevent this and how to repair it. This is happening in a 2004 Pace Arrow.

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

jamespcox... it sounds like the slide is midadjusted. When the slide comes in raises itself by design and should come in over the carpet with enough clearance to prevent what you are seeing. Can you measure the distance from the bottom of the slide to the carpet, after it starts in and when it's all the way in? Check this distance at the front of the slide and also at the back. It sounds like the front is not quite high enough. If there's a problem with the distance I'd guess you'd need to take it to a dealer to see about adjusting it properly. If indeed there is an adjustment.

[j.smith]

Quote:

The mechanism is one thing though. The box (wall's/ends/floor/roof) is another. This box is of course built by Fleetwood. For the most part it's not too bad, but in my opinion the floor portion the smooth part you see when you look up under the slide isn't built very well. At least not on the ends. Take a look at the attached photo and you'll see what I mean. This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. This is the kitchen slide that's separating, and the bedroom slide on the other side of the moho is doing the same thing. You can't see it in the photo but the underside is completely smooth. I though about putting some screws in it to suck it back up but I'm sure Fleetwood intentionally did not put screws here because they want to make sure it doesn't snag on anything, like a screw, when it moves in and out.

Now you got me wondering... I could swear on my 36B the angle that shows above your floor makes up the corner. I don't remember being able to see the floor board, like the floor is resting on the other side of the angle, especially on the bedroom slide, it is just a smooth aluminum(?) box. I'll go to storage and take another look, and try to get some pictures

[Pete & Linda]

jamespcox I have a 2004 Pace Arrow 37-C (2,600 miles) and it does the same thing to the carpet. Let me know if you find out what to do to correct it.