Electric motor in bedroom slide chugging on movement

[RKassl]

I think I may be loosing the electric motor in the bedroom slide on our 3440RL. I am taking it to the dealer for service but my question is do you usually replace the whole assembly, that being the motor and gear box as a unit? Just want to be prepared for what they find.

Thanks

[jcurtis934]

In my 3800, I can stand on the bed and look at the motor, gear assy, and cables. If you see bits of the gears looking shabby, then gear assy for sure. I would think gears would be rare as my bedroom slide is huge, 16.5 ft, and my motor and gears are still pristine. But I also realize that they don't always get installed like they should be and life expectancy can easily vary. Mine was not square and also was not adjusted so that it was flush top to bottom when pulled in. Factory and dealer failed to get it right.

[BuilderBob]

We haven't had any problems with the motors in are 5er! but I did one in my buddy's SOB for him he got just the motor and it still works fine. But you can get them with or without the gear box. I think if it was mine I would do both and keep the old gear box as spare!

[madeforeachother]

We had two electric slide gearboxes fail in one year in our 2016 3711fl. Called the maker of the slide system and they sent new gearboxes free. When I changed them out I disassembled the failed gearbox and found that the gear teeth inside the box were broken off thus making it impossible to move the slide. I e mailed the company to see if their quality control division would upgrade the steel used to make the gears and got no reply. It looks like this is going to be an ongoing problem and I keep spares on board if I have a problem while on the road. The newer models have a different electric slide system now so Keystone knew of the problem and changed it.

[Bad Moon]

Our 2016 HC kitchen slide gave us trouble from day one. After 4 trips to the service dept. and after Keystone abandoned us, service checked with BAL, and discovered Keystone had installed an obsolete motor assembly. Then Keystone sent the same obsolete part as a replacement at round 3 of repair. BAL sent the correct part for replacement (at their expense) and service dept. installed at their expense, no thanks to Keystone, who caused the problem to begin with.
So I would recommend checking with BAL for the current replacement part number.

[RKassl]

To be honest with you this is our second Montana but the first with the "electric slide", I am not impressed with the mechanics of how it operates. I would have liked to have another hydraulic system rather than that Erector Set motor/gear box assembly. What the hell do you do on the road if you have a complete failure of either the motor or gear box? Can you somehow get the slide retracted or what? I would really like to know.

[coachgrowl]

I also would like to know can you retract slides if motor is kaput. Is there a manual way to bring slides in so you can at least travel?

[Bad Moon]

Originally Posted by coachgrowl

I also would like to know can you retract slides if motor is kaput. Is there a manual way to bring slides in so you can at least travel?

A Wrench and a lot of time.

[Carl n Susan]

From the BAL Accuslide Service Procedures manual (what you haven't read it?) Page #14, you can manually retrieve/extend the slides if the motor is inoperative. The steps sound an awful lot like the procedure for the hydraulic system when it fails.

3.04 MANUALLY MOVING THE ROOM
1. Locate the included flexible shaft in your owner's packet.
2. Attach flexible shaft to the 1/4" hex fitting on the end of the motor.
3. Attach 1/4" socket & ratchet, or drill to the other end, and turn in the proper direction to move the room.
4. If the cables tighten, and the motor is difficult to turn, REVERSE THE DIRECTION.
Over-torquing can happen, resulting in severe damage.

I uploaded the manual to the Files area where you can download it.
http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/...?do=file&id=19

[BuilderBob]

You should of gotten Allen key on flex adapter that go's on a drill motor to run the gear box in or out. You can YouTube it.

[Dam Worker]

During our PDI the mechanic that was going through everything with us said I was one of the few people who even asked how to get the slide in if there was ever a problem. You would think that they would go over that with all of their customers. On a personal note my bedroom slide jumps a bit going out but is smooth coming back in. Looks like I will have to check it out while the wife pushes the button.

Oh year I would rather have had the hydraulic system also on the bedroom slide. Probably cheaper and lighter to use the electric operator.

TomMarty

[jeffba]

Ever since our first SOB TT with slides, I have always made sure I know how to bring slide and jacks manually. I have needed to from time to time. Know how to do it on ours, just really will not like doing it.

[madeforeachother]

If the motor dies you can attach the flex keys into the end of the motor and extend or retract the affected slide but you may have to remove the header board to access it. If the gearbox has got broken teeth and the slide will not move in or out you will have to disconnect the chain from the sprocket and manually push the slide in or out. Make sure chain is reattached when the slide is in the retracted position before you move the trailer, it is what holds the slide in. It takes about an hour to change out the gearbox and I will never let a service department touch our rig again as I will repair all if I can.

[Dixie Flyer]

I have a 2015 Montana 3611rl that the gear box just failed this past weekend on the bedroom slide. The teeth have broken off and a new gear box is on the way. Also have to replace all wiper seals on the two hydraulic slides, dinette and kitchen as they have split. They just don't make them like they used too. We had a 2011 Montana that was flawless for four years, made the mistake of trading it.

[RKassl]

Bedroom slide fixed and properly adjusted. Yep it was the gearbox that was going out. Cables were not frayed. Dealer installed new "upgraded" motor/gearbox combo. The tech said the new model look different in the fact that the gearbox looks different than the OEM, he was told that they was a small are built in to hold some lubricant. The upgraded assembly uses the following numbers: Keystone part #420749, Norco part #225008
Our extended insurance plan paid for everything except the $50.00 deductible.

[jeffba]

Originally Posted by RKassl

Bedroom slide fixed and properly adjusted. Yep it was the gearbox that was going out. Cables were not frayed. Dealer installed new "upgraded" motor/gearbox combo. The tech said the new model look different in the fact that the gearbox looks different than the OEM, he was told that they was a small are built in to hold some lubricant. The upgraded assembly uses the following numbers: Keystone part #420749, Norco part #225008
Our extended insurance plan paid for everything except the $50.00 deductible.

you gave us part numbers for the gear box, but leave us guessing on the extended insurance
Who is your extended insurance with?
Thanks

[RKassl]

I didn't name my extended insurance company because on this forum sometime this topic, extended warranties, gets a little carried away. But since you asked we have the coverage through"Wholesale Warranty" Had them on my 2005 Montana and now on the 2015. I'm happy with them.

[jeffba]

Thank you will look them up.

this forum get carried away...... oh boy am I in trouble now.

[RKassl]

I got your back

[speedster100]

Thank the cheap Chinese metal gears, they are crap. They know there are issues with them but they continue to source them due to price point... Most are failing after a year or two and the warranty is done. Go figure.....