Community Forums

Cbones · 09-20-2013, 12:58 PM

In another post, there is an RV tech that says he has seen many full wall slide issues. Fleetwood has many models with full wall slides, so I hope to get many responses. In any event after a conversation with Doug Haas (senior engineer at fleetwood) he stated to me that he feels that the FWS is well engineered and they have very little problems. I am just curious to hear from those that have had any issues.

I had one issue that took Fleetwood a little while to figure out. The frame that the wall closes against was slightly bowed, and this was causing the slide box to shift a tiny bit when it would fully retract. After a while this broke the weld on the rear most slide rail upright. They would weld the bracket and it would just break again until they found the frame alignment issue. Once that was corrected, no more problems in hundreds of extension/retraction cycles. I am absolutely amazed in the strength of the motors. The piece that would break is 3/8" steel!

Cat · 09-20-2013, 08:01 PM

Had one problem this year. We have owned a Fleetwood 38V with a full wall slide since 2007. We failed the rollers ( broke in half ) on the center support beam. This is the first problem we have had. Parts were only $30.00 took me two days to remove and install the beam and replace the rollers.

chuckftboy · 09-20-2013, 08:07 PM

I have a full wall slide and no issues. Wife and I like it so much that any coach without one would be a deal breaker. Any slide can have issues but if there is a little more risk with a full wall its worth it for all the space it provides.

Tha_Rooster · 09-21-2013, 06:35 AM

From experience don't let something jam one side from opening or closing not good. Other than that no problems love the room.

JMonroe · 09-21-2013, 07:23 AM

So far so good. The coach will have it's third birthday soon and it's been lived in full time for just over two years.

Knock on wood...

Clayobx · 09-21-2013, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckftboy

I have a full wall slide and no issues. Wife and I like it so much that any coach without one would be a deal breaker. Any slide can have issues but if there is a little more risk with a full wall its worth it for all the space it provides.

Correct on all points!

Gary1965 · 09-22-2013, 02:48 PM

We had a problem 1 month after owning our 2010 Discovery 40G. Fleetwood took care of everything, and no problem since, that is 3+ years later.

"007" · 09-22-2013, 06:33 PM

Here is a thread on FWS issues and what the final result was if at all possible level you coach first as for a Newmar coach.
There were two Newmar owners that did suffer damage to their slides, discussed.
Others of SOB also posted in thread with their findings.

chuckftboy · 09-24-2013, 08:11 PM

Since the original post my curiosity was up, I did some investigating. I am sure FW has had a few issues with the Power Gear system but probably very few. It seams the Lippert system, that some other builders use, have most of the failures. My full wall slide has 3 motors and FW does a good job designing the system. With the Lippert system its only possible to use 2 motors because they mount on the ends. I think moving a wall over 23 feet long may just require more than 2 motors.

Statgeek · 09-25-2013, 08:39 AM

Our coach is so new that I'm only marginally able to reply on this.. it works great and we love, love, love the space it provides.

One ADVANTAGE that I see to this slide compared to our previous RV and those that I've seen is that with the Fleetwood FWS, they integrate a nice system that locks the FWS in place after retracting... There is a lock on the front and back side that really snugs things in tight, and that plus the key-activated button pad gives a real sense of security of that wall staying put while underway.

dvmweb · 09-26-2013, 10:37 AM

2013 Fleetwood Expedition 38B. We also like the room. We've only had the coach three months and no problems, yet. It seems to work well and is secured on the road by a fore and aft latch inside.

dvmweb · 05-21-2014, 07:33 PM

2013 FW Expedition 38B.

Update near end of first year warranty. FWS is supposed to be extended/retracted with engine running. FWS will only work now when plugged in to shore power and engine is running.

Checked batteries, all plates covered. Cleaned connections. 13.20 V (main and aux, coach and refrigerator) when plugged in and when unplugged. 12.60 volts when engine is running alone, no shore power. Manual says the system needs 13 v to work. Last year every once in a while it would not work. Used the coach into November. Took a trip in February. Worked fine then.

In northern Michigan and we had a long cold winter. Very cold. Leave coach plugged in.

Taking it to a Freightliner to have turn signal lever fixed. Have them check the alternator? Batteries gone already? (All are about 2 years old, 2-12 v, bank of 4 -6 volt and a bank of 2-6 volt) Convertor?

And, having the slide issue checked and one other minor problem looked at under warranty at the dealer. We're 120 miles from the dealer.

Hmmm.

Cbones · 05-22-2014, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvmweb

2013 FW Expedition 38B.

Update near end of first year warranty. FWS is supposed to be extended/retracted with engine running. FWS will only work now when plugged in to shore power and engine is running.

Checked batteries, all plates covered. Cleaned connections. 13.20 V (main and aux, coach and refrigerator) when plugged in and when unplugged. 12.60 volts when engine is running alone, no shore power. Manual says the system needs 13 v to work. Last year every once in a while it would not work. Used the coach into November. Took a trip in February. Worked fine then.

In northern Michigan and we had a long cold winter. Very cold. Leave coach plugged in.

Taking it to a Freightliner to have turn signal lever fixed. Have them check the alternator? Batteries gone already? (All are about 2 years old, 2-12 v, bank of 4 -6 volt and a bank of 2-6 volt) Convertor?

And, having the slide issue checked and one other minor problem looked at under warranty at the dealer. We're 120 miles from the dealer.

Hmmm.

Is that the voltage that you are getting right after startup? Wait 5 minutes and check your voltage. 2 things could be happening, and it is not at all unusual. First shortly after starting and verifying proper oil pressure, engage the high idle (tap cruise control set button without your foot on the brake) then wait for the engine grid heaters to shut off. They typically go on if the temps are under 60 degrees or so. I am not 100% sure on their engagement temp, so don't bash me if I am off a few degrees. In any event, they put a very heavy drain on the alternator, and this will keep your volts down. The other possibility is if the charge solenoid to the house batteries engages, this will also pull your volts down. You need a consistent 13.2 volts to operate the FWS. On my coach it can take as long as 10 mins after startup to get the volts that I need. I don't even bother pressing the switch until I see consistent voltage over 13.2. Good luck and report back with your results. One last tip is always operate your slide either full in or out without stopping. The motors can easily lose their synchronization if you stop in the middle. Then you have a huge nightmare on your hands, and it will require a trip to a dealer that has the resynchronization tool, which not many have.