Lubricating Schwintek slide question

[EdInArk]

Schwintek In-Wall Slideout Mechanism / Lubricating Mechanisms on Winnebago Industries Motorhomes - YouTube

Simple question on this video -- maybe stupid question.

But do both top and bottom rails get lubed? The answer seems an obvious "Yes", but then .... well .... do they?

Thanks

[Lv2Roam2]

Yes Ed - on this style of rail and gibs both uppers and lowers get lubed per my discussions with Schwintek and the Winnebago Service Center. I use the recommended CRC w/PTFE (teflon); use the same on my jacks. Do note please that on the newer style (floating rail) there appears to be some confusion about lube or not - from both sources as above.

[macnut]

That was always confusing to me, too, as he does not lube the rails at all in the video.

[EdInArk]

Originally Posted by Lv2Roam2

Yes Ed - on this style of rail and gibs both uppers and lowers get lubed per my discussions with Schwintek and the Winnebago Service Center. I use the recommended CRC w/PTFE (teflon); use the same on my jacks. Do note please that on the newer style (floating rail) there appears to be some confusion about lube or not - from both sources as above.

Thanks. There's obviously a gear on the lower rail, but since he didn't mention it I thought the coupler and gib may not be there.

Originally Posted by macnut

That was always confusing to me, too, as he does not lube the rails at all in the video.

I was confused about what to lube. I know the rails on mine came from the factory dry. Then when I found this video they show to lube the coupler and gib only -- nothing on the gear or slide.

[ThePowells]

???

[EdInArk]

Originally Posted by ThePowells

???

Careful. You could hurt hurt yourself like that.

[ThePowells]

At least from watching the near worthless video I did learn that is the slide drive system that I have.

[WDW]

What's the gib - actor on NCIS?

[EdInArk]

Originally Posted by ThePowells

At least from watching the near worthless video I did learn that is the slide drive system that I have.

Yeah. I spent quite a while on YouTube trying to find one that applied to my system. I searched here and found the same video in a 3-year-old thread. I googled "schwintek lubrication" and found it again on other forums and some RV manufacturer sites. You'd think there would be all sorts of info out there.

My wife bought some slide lube at CW, but it's not that special stuff. I hope it's OK.

Hey, is all the popcorn gone?

[Lv2Roam2]

A clarification - because I can be fairly accused of not being entirely clear.

On the older 'fixed track/rail system' the lube only goes on the the motor gear/gibs - not on the track. Keep the tracks clean so that debris doesn't get carried to the motor.

On the newer 'floating track/rail system' the lube only goes on the motor gears - if in fact we can get anybody to declare that's the right thing to do. In my survey of owners in campgrounds about half were told to lube - about half not. At the Winnebago Service Center two different techs contradicted each other. I lube (thinking that it makes common sense) and have not had any problems.

Sorry if I confused the issue ...

[Sanford]

Yes

[Thor29.3inAZ]

We have a 2017 Thor 29.3 with a full length slide. As per Thor AND Schwintek, you do not lube the tracks. The motor gear gets lubed with a special lube from the factory, and should never need to be lubed again. I can see if you are in a high humidity or very dusty conditions to use some CRC on it.

[macnut]

Here's the info for the floating tracks system from power gear's (owned by Schwintech) website:

Preventative Maintenance
Your Power Gear slideout system has been designed to require very little maintenance. To ensure the long life of your slideout system, read and follow these few simple procedures:
• When the room is extended, visually inspect the slide rail assemblies. Check for excess build up of dirt or other foreign material; remove any debris items that may be present.
• If the system squeaks or makes any noises, blow out any debris from the gear rack arms and apply a dry lubricant to prevent and/or stop squeaking.
If you have any problems or questions, see the contact tab on our website at www.powergearus.com

[macnut]

I should have also said that my 2017 Adventurer uses the "floating" Power Gear slides from Schwintech. My 2013 Sunstar used the "fixed" Schwintech system (before they bought PowerGear).