Community Forums

Indy1951 · 03-25-2014, 02:44 PM

Ran across this youtube video and found it interesting.

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

Redridge · 03-25-2014, 02:50 PM

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

User1011 · 03-25-2014, 04:01 PM

Redridge,
Since you just returned from the Thor Indiana factory and you had your Schwintek slides upgraded.... was this CRC Power Lube product recommended by Thor ? What other advice, if any, did Thor suggest as recommended routine maintenance ?

Thanks !

Palazzoblues · 03-25-2014, 04:56 PM

I was told by Dean @ Thor not to use any lube. But I'd I felt compelled to then only use a dry type. Reason being, any oils will trap dirt and any aluminum shavings that happen to get caught in the teeth and gears.

cenfl · 03-26-2014, 07:04 AM

FYI, here's the response I received from Lippert to an email inquiry regarding lubricating the Schwintek slide out system:

Good Morning Frank~

Thank you for your inquiry~ The only lubrication we recommend using is the CRC Power Lube in a green can. It can be found at places such as Fastenal or Grainger.

Thank You and Have a nice day~

For emergencies outside our business hours of 8am-5pm, please call 1.574.537.8900

.

Lippert Customer Service Division #39

Division of Drew Industries

1701 Century Drive

Goshen, IN 46528

574-537-8900

574-534-7161

Fax

Thank you for your business

Redridge · 03-26-2014, 07:54 AM

The service guys will only go by the recommendations of their vendors... they use their vendors to fix alot of the customers complaints. Its like any other industry, Im sure vendors bid on certain model line to get a contract and supply it to Thor. For example, I had a complaint about the drop down bed taking 2 person to put the travel pin. The service guys called the supplier and installed a delay module so the motor creep is lessened and you can put the pins in. So if schwintek recommends lubing, I would do it per their instructions. I also believe that it should be lubed.

Some of the things I learned from Elkhart:
The service guys use this stuff for any body seals such such as fender trim, slide trim... they use this stuff alot.

As for holding the slide button down... you only hold it down till the motor shut off, when they say it will sync the motor, they mean that the motor gears are where they should be and as long as it is, the slide will go in/out consistently in the same spot. The roller on the bottom is very important and hold all of the weight of the slide as it move in/out. The rollers at the sides (inside the rubber trim) is only there as a guide. So it is a good idea to check the bottom rollers for good contact of the slide.

For those that have drafts in the kitchen are, there is a sleeve that wraps hoses/wires etc... it is also attached to the edges of the slit under the slide... check that it is sealed, this wrap keeps critters/rain/wind out.

If you have any issues at all, even though Thor does not have a fix for it.... I would let them know and have them record it.... This way if anything should happen further down the road and is somehow related to what has beed recorded by thor... it will only help you if you want it fixed or replaced.

TheArnolds · 03-26-2014, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redridge

The service guys will only go by the recommendations of their vendors... they use their vendors to fix alot of the customers complaints. Its like any other industry, Im sure vendors bid on certain model line to get a contract and supply it to Thor. For example, I had a complaint about the drop down bed taking 2 person to put the travel pin. The service guys called the supplier and installed a delay module so the motor creep is lessened and you can put the pins in. So if schwintek recommends lubing, I would do it per their instructions. I also believe that it should be lubed.

Some of the things I learned from Elkhart:
The service guys use this stuff for any body seals such such as fender trim, slide trim... they use this stuff alot.

As for holding the slide button down... you only hold it down till the motor shut off, when they say it will sync the motor, they mean that the motor gears are where they should be and as long as it is, the slide will go in/out consistently in the same spot. The roller on the bottom is very important and hold all of the weight of the slide as it move in/out. The rollers at the sides (inside the rubber trim) is only there as a guide. So it is a good idea to check the bottom rollers for good contact of the slide.

For those that have drafts in the kitchen are, there is a sleeve that wraps hoses/wires etc... it is also attached to the edges of the slit under the slide... check that it is sealed, this wrap keeps critters/rain/wind out.

If you have any issues at all, even though Thor does not have a fix for it.... I would let them know and have them record it.... This way if anything should happen further down the road and is somehow related to what has beed recorded by thor... it will only help you if you want it fixed or replaced.

Good info! I lube my slides with CRC.

Palazzoblues · 03-26-2014, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheArnolds

Good info! I lube my slides with CRC.

Do Y'all lube the entire track or just the inside part of the "block" as described in the video?

TheArnolds · 03-26-2014, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palazzoblues

Do Y'all lube the entire track or just the inside part of the "block" as described in the video?

I use a brush to clean the gear tracks and only lube the "block" as described in the video.

Palazzoblues · 03-27-2014, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheArnolds

I use a brush to clean the gear tracks and only lube the "block" as described in the video.

Keeping those Schwintek tracks free of debris would most certainly prevent a possible bind up. I now inspect the tracks every time I extend and before I retract the slide outs. Everyone should make that a part of their routine check list.

ChallengerRN · 03-27-2014, 06:32 AM

I agree on checking the gears regular & using the brush is what I do. Crazy tho.

On my last RV I would take it to dealer once a year and tell them to service everything. I never checked or had to touch anything for the three years I owned it.

So I go spend an additional $80,000 on a new Palazzo and I get to check everything each time I run the slide out or even drive it for that matter. I get to listen to the popping and banging every time the large slide goes out. Always hoping it makes it. IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE.

BUT!!! I love the ride & drive and fuel milage.

Russell

Redridge · 04-01-2014, 12:23 PM

here is a response from Thor regarding lubing the rollers under the slide...

Hello Ferdinand,

You can use a dry lube, non silicone....to lubricate the rollers.
Getting to them isn't that hard. You would just need to get under the
slide while out and pull down the seals on the bottom to access them.

Thanks,

Daniel Berry
Warranty
Thor Motor Coach
Ph#877-855-2867
Fax#574-294-3618

Palazzoblues · 04-01-2014, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redridge

here is a response from Thor regarding lubing the rollers under the slide...

Hello Ferdinand,

You can use a dry lube, non silicone....to lubricate the rollers.
Getting to them isn't that hard. You would just need to get under the
slide while out and pull down the seals on the bottom to access them.

Thanks,

Daniel Berry
Warranty
Thor Motor Coach
Ph#877-855-2867
Fax#574-294-3618

Very good info Ferdinand. I also check to make sure all the rollers are making very good contact to the underside of the slide. I still feel like that is one of the biggest weak links in the system.

TheArnolds · 04-01-2014, 02:59 PM

I have another data point to support my argument that the slide system may be overloaded on the Palazzo models with longer, heavier slides. When I was departing my overnight location two days ago my DW placed a very heavy suitcase (maybe 50+ lbs) on the sofa close to the front of the slide. When she attempted to close the slide it slowed down and did not complete close on the front end. I came inside and found the suitcase on the sofa. Once I removed the suitcase I extended the slide and it retracted squarely and completely.

One other thing I noticed a few weeks ago in a campground. A big Class B+ (Super C) owned by Travis Mathews (golf apparel) which had a Schwintek type system but it had a third track in the middle of the slide. This slide was not as large as some on the Palazzo. Maybe these Super C engineering folks know something that Thor engineering folks do not know or have not figured out? At some point you can exceed the capacity of the Schwintek Slide System.