Bounder: Accessing the Bedroom Slide Mechanism 2012+ Bounder

[SarahW]

We have been working on "spring maintenance" items, getting ready for our first trip of the year. Got the batteries checked and added a bit of water, fresh water tank sanitized, generator oil changed, etc.

For the second year in a row, we have been stymied by the lack of access to the bedroom slide mechanism. The living area slide is easy to access and check the gears, teeth, etc. and apply lube or whatever.

Fleetwood sent us the diagrams of access panels under the bed, but ugh. I don't know why the mechanism can't be accessed from outside the coach. Has anyone found a simple way to check the bedroom slide and lubricate or service as needed? I'm interested to know whether other Bounder owners are doing any maintenance to that slide.

[CLIFFTALL]

As far as I know , the only access is under the bed. It was not a problem for me as PG states that they shouldn't be lubricated. The only reason you'd need access is if it malfunctioned. Mine never did in the five years I owned it.

[NLOVNIT]

We've left the maintenance of that slide gear to our dealer & even then don't service it as often (3x in 9yrs & one of those times was to replace the motor that died)as the LR/DR slide mechanisms that we can get to. I agree, it's frustrating the access is to it is through that panel under the bed. It's hard enough for either of us to crawl in that space (I have to hold the bed up because we put a memory foam topper on the mattress & now it's too heavy for the struts to hold it up on it's own) let alone do anything through that panel. It's completely enclosed from the outside so can't get to it from there (unless I want to remove the slide cover that's screwed down & I don't wanna do that).

If another Bounder owner has a trick to accessing, we'll both appreciate knowing.

Lori-

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by Clifftall

As far as I know , the only access is under the bed. It was not a problem for me as PG states that they shouldn't be lubricated. The only reason you'd need access is if it malfunctioned. Mine never did in the five years I owned it.

Our PG manual says to "visually inspect for dirt and debris" and that a light oil can be used if the mechanism squeaks. We had a squeak in our living room slide, so we put a little lightweight oil on the drive shaft and rollers.

As for "visually inspecting" the bedroom slide mechanism, I guess we'll just not worry about it unless we have a problem. There are access panels under the bed platform and at the foot of the bed frame. Both are small and difficult to access.

[CLIFFTALL]

Yeah. I've done that to the LR slide which is subject to dirt and debris. The bedroom one is like Funk and Wagnalls mayonnaise jar ( hermetically sealed )

[chuckftboy]

The only way to access the motor and gears is to raise the bed and remove the under bed floor panel. Hardest part is feeling around and finding all the screws. Hardly worth the effort unless you are having an issue.

[SarahW]

Originally Posted by chuckftboy

The only way to access the motor and gears is to raise the bed and remove the under bed floor panel. Hardest part is feeling around and finding all the screws. Hardly worth the effort unless you are having an issue.

That's pretty much the conclusion we have reached.

[Fiesta48]

I put a gate handle on the plywood access panel/floor under the bed. Much easier to lift up. This mechanism is in a great place so it doesn't get dirty. This slide get's used every overnight stop for access to the electrical and rear bathroom.