Slide Motors

[M&S Norrell]

Has anyone else had problems with slide motors? I think this is the 3rd one we've had replaced in less than 18 months; and we are only part time camping.

[M&S Norrell]

Has anyone else had problems with slide motors? I think this is the 3rd one we've had replaced in less than 18 months; and we are only part time camping.

[rockintom]

Sue,

You didn't explain what the problem was that caused replacement? Was the problem the same condition/symptom each time. Same slide? Do you know if the 2007 coach still used the Barker gearbox? Give us more poop and hopefully we can give a good answer! Thanks, Tom

[M&S Norrell]

Don't know if it is the Barker gearbox or not. Do know that 2006 & 2007 used same motor. Motor starts out dragging and sluggish and then can't close the slide. 2 motors were on the dining/couch slide (big one) and 1 on the parlor slide.

[rockintom]

Does replacement fix the situation for a little while or ? You say sluggish....not talking about racheting the clutch are you? Or motor actually bogging down/laboring?

My slide gearbox problems have been leaks on both living room slides. (previous posts) I have rebuilt both gearboxes (Barker Manufacturing) and then rebuilt one of them again. Finally got the leaks down to a mild roar (which is normal "weeping"). Sure glad they don't use those anymore, but sounds like their replacement may be a problem, based on your issue. I will say the folks at Barker (Bob in CS) have been great to work with. He has sent parts for free, ect. Tom

[M&S Norrell]

Motor is straining. No, we are VERY meticulous about not running the motor beyond fully open or closed slides - only 1 "tick" noise allowed. I hate the sound because it sounds like something is snapping off, but I know it is the clutch - but 1 tick is all that is allowed! Mechanics say it is bad motor each time. Unit actually was delivered with one motor that wouldn't run correctly and was bogging down just like this last one. They robbed one from another Excel on the lot the first time; however they've sold all the 07's and had to order motor this time.

[rockintom]

Sue,
Sorry, didn't mean to imply that you were running it against the stops. I was asking if the clutch was racheting when motor was under the load. This would tell me if the motor was strong/powerful enough and the slide mechanism is binding. You didn't answer if the issue is cleared up each time they replaced the slide motor assy. We need more info so maybe we can help! We can't be there to duplicate so need everything we can get to be your "bench mechanic"!

[M&S Norrell]

Tom,
No offense taken, I understand why you are asking...but missed understood "what" you were asking. Yes, the clutch starts racheting about 8" (+/-) before the slide actually should close, but the slide doesn't move any futher in. Dealer first tried to make slide adjustment, but to no avail!

I wish they could make the slides go in and out without that clutch racheting...I hate that "tick"

I believe the other 2 (which were fixed), wouldn't even lift the slides to pull them in.

[rockintom]

Sue,

Based off your last post, I'd say you have something binding in the slide mechanism and not a slide motor issue. The clutch should never rachet unless you are at the end of the slide travel fully open or closed (on the stops). And then you want to minimize the racheting to one tick or so. The less, the better for long term durability.
Are your slide rams clean and lubed with silicone spray? Ram rollers turning and free operation? A close inspection with someone watching what's going under the rig while someone inside runing the slide in and out. Caution should be taken to keep hands and body parts out of the way of moving parts. HTH Tom

[M&S Norrell]

Had to smile when you talked about clean slide rams correctly lubed. Mike is anal about maintenance on anything he owns. I drive a 99 Toyota Ltd. Edt. 4 runner with 100,000 miles and it looks show room new, even when you lift the hood! We are in the GC business and build commercial/industrial buildings; when our trailer came in from PI, Mike was "horrified" by the caulking (which looked fine to me), and immediately replaced about 80% of it! Bear in mind he is a Perfectionist with a CAPITAL P! Yes, yes, the rams are spotless except for the silicone spray, and yes, we use the kind most recommended on this site (weird name you get at Walmart). Our RV is kept indoors in one of our warehouses, fully hooked up to keep A/C running at 76 when parked there. Each trip back, the RV is fully washed and wheels polished! Oh, yea, he reapplied additional coat of undercoating to the frame when unit first arrived, because he didn't feel the factory did an "adequate" job (again, it looked good to me---and I am pretty picky). (not on the slide rams though).
I agree with you about the clutch engagement, but can only tell you what the RV mechanic is telling us. Maybe he found something wrong with the motor as well as the slide being out of alignment. Now we are waiting on new motor coming in on Thursday am and leaving for weekend trip as soon as they put it on! Just wish they (dealer) had ordered the motor last week (like they said they would), so we wouldn't be down to the wire.

[wrongway]

You stated something about the slides being out of line.

One thing to have your service department check is the teeth on the slideout rams. Some of the early motors had to much torque on them and when either the room would get all the way out or in, the motor would snap the teeth off the rams. (No matter if you were gentle or laid on the switch), thus when you started to run the room out it would place it out of alignment. If this has happened, the service department can weld in new sections to place the teeth back onto the ram.

Just a FYI to make sure you take a look at. (Front and Rear Rams)

One thing that we have found when rooms begin to drag a little is wipe the exterior floor down to allow it to slide smoother over the thrush.

We did see a rash of motors in the 2005 vintage, but most have been gone thru in our area, and usually only one motor took care of the issue.