Community Forums

cruzbill · 02-10-2018, 03:32 PM

The guinea pig and rabbit should fit in the slideout no problem. The horse, on the other hand.........

stevemoores · 02-13-2018, 04:19 PM

I currently own an older model, no slides, but have been looking at newer models with slides.

My related question would be, what are the options with a 'stuck' slide? Can they be wound in manually?

What would be the main causes of failure, just dirt or general poor maintenance?

Steve

marjoa · 02-13-2018, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevemoores

1) My related question would be, what are the options with a 'stuck' slide? Can they be wound in manually?

2) What would be the main causes of failure, just dirt or general poor maintenance? Steve

1) Yes, they can be retracted manually but usually a hassle but can be done.

2) Poor maintenance—yes—and mainly having the wrong kind of slide mechanism. Many, many MH's by assorted manufacturers today have installed Schwintek slide systems by Lippert. These slides systems have a history of BIG problems and Lippert has taken so steps to remedy the problems in the past few years. However, the proof is in the pudding. IMO from all that I have read, and have discussed with owners & dealers, the best advice is, if you have Schwintek's on small slides you're probably OK. But on big FWS (full Wall Slides) owner beware.

I'm not going to argue any more about this because there will be no doubt some here as there always is when I post this kind of comments, that some will say, "I have a FWS with Schwintek's and all is good. Well of course it is. There are always exceptions to every rule.

This is what happens when a company like Lippert races out with a new product to introduce a "new technology" that hasn't been proven road worthy yet. Then the manufacturers by into it. Their first few years proved to be disastrous and now their playing catch up to restore their products reputation. Some companies never learn.

So IMO, when buying a MH, look—very carefully—at what slide system it has and then choose very carefully.

Nuff said. AGAIN!

Finance · 02-13-2018, 06:22 PM

An important differentiation for us is a flat floor. We prefer the slide designs that extend and drop so the floor in the slide is the same level as the main floor.

Scarab0088 · 02-13-2018, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevemoores

I currently own an older model, no slides, but have been looking at newer models with slides.

My related question would be, what are the options with a 'stuck' slide? Can they be wound in manually?

What would be the main causes of failure, just dirt or general poor maintenance?

Steve

Yes, stuck slides can be retracted manually.
Here's some examples:

LCI Hydraulic and electric through frame:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0ETwE3SrCM&t=74s

Power Gear:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92uaGEi8ju4

Schwintek:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGL4aILZYcY

And

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xojUdPDWNS0&t

These two Schwintek videos show how simple the system really is. So, there is really no reason to fear it.

There are also older hydraulic systems that have a lever style pump override. All have emergency retract procedures.
Slides can fail for many reasons from a popped fuse to broken mechanical bit. Poor maintenance could be part of the problem.

Best luck

nightmission · 02-14-2018, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruzbill

The guinea pig and rabbit should fit in the slideout no problem. The horse, on the other hand.........

DW may want the horse as a TOAD. That would be different!

jwmaustin · 03-04-2018, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marjoa

This is how I solved the water pooling on top of the toppers. It also keeps them from flapping in the wind.

Large 5" diameter solid foam tubes on one slide and 6" on the other slide.

I assume you have to take those out when you pull in your slides? Where did you get them?

Thanks!

jvalich · 03-04-2018, 06:50 AM

I have the Bal Acc-Slide system--- cables, Am I a oddity see and/or in trouble? Is this a good system compared to the others?

jsmmonaco · 03-04-2018, 07:15 AM

if i wanted a coach with no slides, i would get a used prevost bus........

Outbound · 03-04-2018, 05:50 PM

I have had with and without slides, I would not want to be without slides, when the kids visit there is room for everyone to move about.

azpete · 03-07-2018, 07:37 AM

there was a time when there were no slide outs. we as a dealer couldnt see the value of them until a customer asked for one. we started selling slideouts, and soon there wasnt hardly a coach out there without one. same for horse trailers with living quarters. its what the majority of owners want. want being the key word.
its a market driven trend. if you want one without a slide, good luck finding it.

Honwing · 03-09-2018, 01:14 AM

Gave up on Powergear after 4 failures on our 2016 Vista 27N. Two repairs at the Winnebago Factory and two at dealers. Spent 3 months of its first year in the shop. Sold it and bought a 2004 Itasca Horizon 40AD with HWH slides. Very happy now.

George Schweikle · 03-09-2018, 06:37 AM

Here's an anecdote from that time. Back when Safari was a private company owned by Matt Perlot, they used to have a yearly "Homecoming" extravaganza at the plant in Oregon. In 1995, they decided to do this at Disney Epcot in Florida and at one of the gatherings Perlot was asked about slides and said: "No motorhome with the Safari name will ever leave my factory with a slide".

I'm not sure about the big DP Safaris, but Trek didn't get a slide on one model until 2003 after the company was bought by Monaco.

Quote:

Originally Posted by azpete

there was a time when there were no slide outs. we as a dealer couldnt see the value of them until a customer asked for one. we started selling slideouts, and soon there wasnt hardly a coach out there without one. same for horse trailers with living quarters. its what the majority of owners want. want being the key word.
its a market driven trend. if you want one without a slide, good luck finding it.

CountryB · 03-09-2018, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marjoa

This is how I solved the water pooling on top of the toppers. It also keeps them from flapping in the wind.

Large 5" diameter solid foam tubes on one slide and 6" on the other slide.

Is the problem just that the topper does not have enough enough tension? Have you tried winding the drum/spring tighter?

I would think that if the material is pulled tight there would be no "dip" in the fabric for the water to collect in.