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Jim_HiTek · 01-28-2023, 12:21 PM

'02 Winnebago Journey, 98,000 miles, Cat 3126b engine, Freightliner XC Chassis, HWH Hydraulic Slide and Jack system 325

The LR slide suddenly went from working fine with few issues to having the top of the large 13' wide LR slide seem to mostly stick at the top which is the end of the slide furthest from the dashboard Ext/Ret button. So I can see it seeming to stick up near the top while the bottom section keeps moving (with difficulty I think), and then it will POP and make a loud noise, settle back to normal position, repeat, then finally continue to extend. This is a flat floor slide so the last few inches it drops down over the lip of the carpeted floor and then settles down flush with the main floor and the flush with the walls and ceiling. Once it's in place, it's fine. No air or water leaks.

I have tried to stop Ext and gone over to the end of the slide and tried to help it along but my pushing, even with someone else pushing the EXT switch, doesn't seem to really do much, if anything.

Eventually if I jog it a few times, it does complete the job and fully Ext, but not without making some pretty loud noises and lurching into place.

I can't see anything jamming the slide anywhere! I do often use dry lubricant. I follow Winnebago's service recommendation of just cleaning the side walls...no lubricant. The rubbers are in good condition, not tears. I've not had this problem with the slide since I bought it in 2016.

Retracting the slide is not a problem. It slides in nice a smooth, and quietly.

Any recommendations?

azpete · 01-30-2023, 08:18 AM

Go outside and watch the room topper as the slide extends. It may be the roller is hanging up. I have found several with this same problem.
If not that, remove the inside facia and watch the mechanism, as it extends. inspect it for lose pins, or missing rollers.

Jim_HiTek · 02-01-2023, 08:57 AM

I do have a torn topper but this weird behavior occurred before then. When I first noticed the torn topper it only had a 2" tear near the forward end but the slide had preformed oddly a couple times at that point. The fabric tear is now around 18" due to very high winds recently.

I don't see anything that looks amiss with the topper mechanism though. But I'm having trouble finding a tall enough ladder so I've been looking at the top of the slide from a distance. My joints make it difficult to climb up on the roof so trying to find help with that chore too.

I haven't removed the inside facia, I'll do that soon, maybe today, and report back.

Jim_HiTek · 02-02-2023, 03:19 PM

Finally able to find and borrow a ladder. I have found that the side of the slide that bucks and jerks during extend is the same side where I can see the pin the topper roller is attached to is wacko. It doesn't look bent, but it doesn't go all the way inside the attachment. There should be an inch or so exposed on the end of the clamp assy but there's none there. And the bar is canted. Not bent that I can see, just canted. And what used to be a 2" tear on the other end of the fabric topper attached to the roof, is now 18" or 24".

So I think that's the problem. The topper is out of whack. I've got two appointments. One with a Tucson mobile repair, and another with Shadepro in Yuma who installed this new topper just 2 years ago. I think it has a lifetime fabric warranty but I'm not sure.

So I guess the torn fabric causes the topper to cant somewhat during extension so that causes the other end of the slide to buck and jump.

Jim_HiTek · 02-04-2023, 02:41 PM

Barrowed a set of ladders and found that the hex tube was bend at the end of the slide. Have no idea how that could have happened except I have been in some pretty fierce wind storms over the last few months.

Here's some pics...

This one is of the forward end:

Any thoughts how it could have gotten bent like that (youtube vids don't show others to be bent)?

Or if it's repairable?

What's the best youtube video that might fit my A&E? Thanks.

chuckftboy · 02-04-2023, 05:53 PM

Even if you can find someone to strighten that arm, it will probably be a weak point. Maybe an RV salvage yard would be a better option.
Chuck

Jim_HiTek · 02-06-2023, 12:20 PM

Hired a mobile tech to come out and help remove the fabric and we took down the roller tube. It really looks as though somehow I must of clipped a post or something and bent that hex tube. The 12' roller tube is in good condition, no wow in it. The hex tube is strong, but it's also AL so can be bent back into shape if I decide to go that route for a short while...until I can find a replacement.

After removing the awning roller tube and fabric, the slide is fine, only making a slight groaning sound when extending. And since that bucking and lurching is gone, I suspect that the topper awning issue with the bent hex tube was the only problem.

How it happened I won't even guess. I don't remember hitting anything and there's only a slight scar on the bottom of the bracket that holds the hex tube. Did something hit me right there on the bracket and bend that hex tube? Or did I hit something?

I just don't know. Once the fabric is replaced, and the hex tube replaced, it'll be good as used.

FIRE UP · 02-08-2023, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim_HiTek

Barrowed a set of ladders and found that the hex tube was bend at the end of the slide. Have no idea how that could have happened except I have been in some pretty fierce wind storms over the last few months.

Here's some pics...

This one is of the forward end:

Any thoughts how it could have gotten bent like that (youtube vids don't show others to be bent)?

Or if it's repairable?

What's the best youtube video that might fit my A&E? Thanks.

Jim,
That hexagon tube can be straightened. It's not that hard. I've done one or two of them like that. But, what's important is TO PRESS IT STRAIGHT, not use a hammer. You're a pretty mechanical guy so, you can do it yourself easily with your own equipment. I'm speaking of the jacks on your coach. You just get a couple of 2" x 4"s or even a couple of 4" x 4"s to act as a bridge. Then place the bent hexagon between them and have the CEO carefully hit the jacks to raise the coach by momentarily pressing on the down button.

Since our coach, an '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the CAT C-7 330HP weighs a gazzillion pounds, I have used those jacks of ours to straighten all kinds of bent metal at home. It's like having your own hydraulic press! Now, we're not talking about raising the coach up 6' in the air. All we're talking about is some very slight movement with one of the jacks, period. Yes, two will be extending with this but, the first one that touches anything, like your hexagon, will stop until the second one hits solid earth. Then they both begin to apply pressure. It is then you need to be in close communication with with the CEO! Using your phones as walkie-talkies work great in this kind of situation. Me and the CEO have done this many times.

Those hexagon shafts are not under that much stress. All they do is hold fast the ends of the main tube shafts so the main tube can roll one way or the other. Your choice here partner.

Or, if you don't want to use the jacks on the coach, find a small bottle jack and use it under the hitch of your coach with the same 2" x 4"s or 4" x 4"s. You'll accomplish the same thing only with single person control.
Scott

Jim_HiTek · 02-08-2023, 07:24 PM

Ha! Very cool idea Fireup. Yeah, that's one I'll remember. I'm thinking of finishing the job myself just for the experience so I'll add this to my knowledge base.