FWS Story

[RVRon]

I was preparing to leave an overnight stop in a rest area in Kentucky in my ‘20 LA. The Coach had been air-leveled with no jacks for the night. I aired up the coach and brought her back to travel mode. Only then did I start to bring in the FWS. As the slide started to lift, something caught the metal strip that acts as the edge of the tile installation on the main floor. The ensuing cracking and exploding tiles along the edge was startling and a little heartbreaking. After several consults with Newmar CS, I cleared out the mess with a hammer and pliers, vacuumed up the coach as tile fragments flew everywhere and after a couple hours was able to get the slide in and get out of that rest area.

Newmar CS “never heard of this happening before”. Hmmm.

So it’s off to Nappanee when I can, (750 miles one way) and probably a week there, pets in a care facility and I’m sure a hotel or two. Warranties don’t really cover the whole cost, do they?

Now, don’t misunderstand me. This is my second Newmar DP and I’m generally very pleased with the brand. Just relating my issue for the record.

[Webz]

If you brought in the FWS as recommended, and it sounds like you did, I don't see why it wouldn't be covered. After all it is a 2020.
I would look under the slide to make sure there is not something under it that may have caused the problem. I found a few things under there that were left during construction.

[RVRon]

John - By my saying not everything is covered under warranties, I meant all the extras; fuel, time, miles etc. I never meant to say Newmar wouldn’t cover this mess.they have already agreed to it. I should’ve been more clear.

[Webz]

Good to hear they are covering the tile. Sorry I misinterpreted your post.
It would be nice if they helped with the other expenses. They add up quickly.

[USMCRET]

Dang. Sorry for the trouble. A 2020 LADP is a really nice coach.

[Dutch Star Don]

I would hit them up for some of the expenses. Your argument would be that you couldn't have it fixed locally and were forced to take it to the factory.

[RVRon]

Don - Do you really think They’d entertain that request?
It really is a PITA for us. And wallet too...

[NLOVNIT]

I would at least keep a record of your other expenses & submit them with what I call a "honey letter". By "honey" I mean, be nice in stating your case. Don't be angry, threatening or demanding but do let them know how inconvenienced you were by this. You won't know until you try & all they can do is say no.

I did the same thing with Tiffin on an issue I had, & Bob covered the entire repair. Our coach was out of warranty & we're the 2nd owners to boot.

Hopefully Newmar will make it right for you as well.

Lori-

[tommar]

X2 on those that advocate that you document expenses along with receipts when you go to Nappanee. You may be surprised about what they do for you.

[RVRon]

The worst part is I can’t use the slide until the issue is resolved. We can’t go until September due to our schedule so it’s garaged until then.

[Rd1]

RVRON,



If I understand you correctly, during FWS closing, as the fws lifts up, the fws-subfloor, lifted the main floor, causing the damage?


I had same issue on a 17ladp, just a few weeks after delivery, in fact while in camp newmar, early am heading to bldg 42 for other repairs. That little shunt busted up so many tiles on the main floor, that took most of the week just to remove the broken tiles, due to the heating floor elements. It is a very painful and tedious work to remove tiles of main floor.


my understanding is, newmar changed the process for fws opening at some point. do not know when. you should be able to open fws with the engine running, correct? in the earlier version, fws can not be opened with engine running. only for closure, the engine may be on.



The problem, 'as I understand it' is, while opening the fws, hwh requires sufficient voltage, not amp as the other slides do. if the batt V drops low enough, the hwh will not be able to push the fws all the way out. it may be just a few mm, shy of max. hence during closing, while fws lifts up, it may run into the main floor.


the question on your case would be, if the batt wasn't charging at that moment as fws traveled out. or if some adjustment on fws is slightly of. They should be able to figure that one out.


Another point, when they inspect the damaged main floor, make sure the plywood under the broken floor tiles is also inspected. if that plywood is cracked and not secured, even with new tiles, as you walk over that part, you will hear cracking noise. I know they won't be able to replace that, but, if possible, at least secure the cracked portion, if there is a way,

[RVRon]

Rd1 - I think you understand exactly what happened.

The interesting thing is that after the first incident in KY, I moved. up to our reservation in OH and I was certain there were no obstructions, so I put the FWS out again (no issues or rubbing etc). But...5 days later when I started to retract the slide, it picked up more of the tile with the same disastrous results.

I CAN open/close slides with the key off. I don’t remember exactly whether I did have the engine on or not on these occasions.
If there is an issue with the HWH mechanism and minimum voltage, it would seem Newmar should report that to owners.

I had an ‘09 Monaco and if 12V minimum wasn’t present, the slide wouldn’t run (it was hydraulic).

Your theory sounds right. And really it’s something like that or a misadjustment or something came loose (I couldn’t see anything). Any way you slice it, she has to go back to Nappanee.

I’m anxious to learn exactly what the heck is going on.

Thank you for your observations and suggestions. I will definitely keep them in mind.

[Rd1]

Originally Posted by RVRon

If there is an issue with the HWH mechanism and minimum voltage, it would seem Newmar should report that to owners.
.

If you pickup the coach at newmar, they would/should have covered it. if p/u at dealer, they'd likely not know or miss..


the hwh does require above 12v on house batt, while operating. next time operating the fws, monitor the silver leaf screen and watch the house BATT V drop, usually around 1.5V, and it builds up, as the slide moves out. suggest you consider running the engine for the fws operations.

[uncnavy2000]

In my year (2016), I can only operate with engine off. That being said, my HWH side is wired to the chassis battery. I was trained during factory pickup that it is critical to ensure the charge bridge is engaged before operating the HWH slide, so either on shore power or generator.
To that end, I turn on headlights to force the bridge, then operate the slide. If the bridge is not engaged, the chassis batteries drop to 11 volts while in operation and I run the risk of the slide not traveling the full distance before the vertical movement