Community Forums

Bluewater · 11-30-2009, 09:36 AM

My "new-to-me" '03 Alpha See Ya, has a large slide-out. A neighbor RV'r said that Alpha's burn out their motors for the slide....should I buy an extra motor, and what/which one is it?

Jackm · 12-10-2009, 07:46 PM

I wouldn't rush out and get a spare motor on the advice of one person. It wouldn't hurt to have an RV technician look over your rig to evaluate the condition of the components that are likely to fail from age such as belts, hoses, steering parts, etc.. Then, if you want to carry a good selection of spare parts, stick with the ones that make the most sense. These typically include belts, fuel filters, fuses, AC start capacitors, and a few others. Second suggestion. Learn to take the advice of other RV owners with a grain of salt. Most of us are bursting with well-meaning opinions. After a while, you'll start to learn what makes sense and what doesn't.

In terms of your slide-out, there are a few tricks that may help you to keep it running smoothly. For example, it's best to leave your engine running while extending and retracting your slides (and jacks). This will ensure that your batteries are always charged enough to get the job done. Likewise, make sure your rig is pretty level before using the slides. This will minimize the likelihood of jamming. Best of luck and no doubt, we'll see you around. Welcome aboard.

Jack

Sammie · 12-10-2009, 08:06 PM

I used to own a 2000 Adventurer and carried a spare passenger side rear view mirror for several years. After cleaning out the bin to make room for more useful stuff I decided that I had carried the mirror long enough sooooo I put the mirror in my garage. It wasn't but a few weeks later when on a trip to Arizona I had a close encounter with a passing truck that had real wide mirrors. The moral of the story is you can never have too many spare parts.

Sammie

GeoSKlak · 12-10-2009, 08:17 PM

IMHO Jack is right on. If I carried a spare for everything that might go wrong I would not have any room to carry all the items I do to have a great outing.

George

paz · 12-11-2009, 04:50 AM

As far as buying a spare slide motor, most RVs have a way to disengage the motor to operate the slide manually if the motor fails. IMO, learning how to do that would be a better solution to a potential problem that may never occur.

Operating the slide manually would allow you to get set up if the failure happens when you arrive at your destination or to get on the road if the failure happens as you prepare to depart. Although it might be a good idea to find out what size and type of motor you need ahead of time, you would only need to buy a replacement motor if and when you need one.

EngineerMike · 12-11-2009, 05:50 PM

I suspect a lot of these motors get replaced by hack tech's who haven't check the state of the solenoid switches that run the motors. Those solenoids arc each time they are engaged, and the burn marks make high resistance. The solenoid is a) cheap, b) easy to replace, and c) very regularly found to be keeping the motor from getting full amps to operate.

Long before I'd carry a spare motor, I'd carry spare solenoids. Then I'd get advice from the other Alpha dogs out there on the motor. Maybe if you travel w/an Alpha club, you can carry one spare motor per ten rigs?

Vegasdan · 12-14-2009, 07:37 AM

As far as which one you need, the numbers are on the motor. I have to replace my main slide motor and that's where I found mine. An RV tech checked out the switches and solenoids, I have power to the motor, but it will not extend, but will retract.

ABus · 12-20-2009, 03:21 PM

I notice that none of the responders are Alfa (spelled ALFA) owners. The first couple of years of Alfa's manufacture (starting in 2002) the motor was not large enough to move the big slide and positioned at one end rather than in the center. Many if not all motors failed due to too much of a load. Most owners have replaced the motor with a Klauber brand, mounting it in the center of the slide. Any of the three good Alfa repair places can replace the motor. I have been able to avoid the problem by running the engine when operating the slide and being careful that the batteries were being charged in the charge cycle (ie. 14.4 volts rather than acceptance or float) which gives enough amps to the motor to prevent overheating.

ABus · 12-20-2009, 03:26 PM

Since you are a new Alfa owner, join one of the Alfa Yahoo groups such as the Alfaseeya or SeeYaDP and you will get better answers from people who have been there and done that. There is a world of information on these sites.

Jackm · 12-23-2009, 09:31 PM

[QUOTEI notice that none of the responders are Alfa (spelled ALFA) owners.[/QUOTE]

I'm assuming that as a Tiffin owner, you're making an exception on this one.

Jack