Slide Out Mechanism for front bedroom

[MP1]

We have a 2014 3402RL Montana. The electric bedroom slide out mechanism has failed. We are going to have it repaired by a mobile tech in 2 weeks. He told me that he knows the part that usually fails and will order the part now...IF I can confirm to him that we have a BAL system. All of this to say...does anyone know if Keystone uses a BAL system for the electric bedroom slide outs? Thanks a bunch, Miles

[jcurtis934]

Do you see cables outside (4) which is the bal system OR do you see a metal strip about an inch or more wide that has an s like structure in the strip? John

[RVokie]

Either BAL or Schwintec (lippert)

[Carl n Susan]

Miles: look over the top fascia of the bedroom slide. I am certain you will find BAL sticker there. All the cable slides I have seen on Montana are BAL systems. I don't recall any Montana with the Schwintek systems (indicated by a metal gear strip on the outside of the slide).

[navybanker]

My 2017 3611 has the Shwintek slide system on the bedroom slide.

[1retired06]

Our 2015 has BAL

[DQDick]

I think Keystone just switched to Shwintek this year.

[MP1]

My thanks to everyone who responded! You know, sometimes full time life can make a person feel a little like they are a lost soul...especially when something goes wrong. And then...when I can write a message asking for help on the MOC...and within a very short time receive so many helpful comments to my question...I don't feel so lost. I looked. I have a BAL system. At least because of the design of our coach, we can function until we can get the slide fixed. Thanks again, everyone. I appreciate your friendship. Miles

[Carl n Susan]

quote:Originally posted by DQDick

I think Keystone just switched to Shwintek this year.

I was at my dealer yesterday (yet another issue with the RV) and looked at the new models. They only had two on the lot because they are selling as quick as they get them. I was looking at a stale (they have had it long time) FL model after the posting about where the black tank is located. The FL had cables but it is a 2016. I didn't look at the other one as it was well over 100 degrees on the blacktop lot.

It will be interesting to see how the Schwintek works in a front slide. I have heard they really don't like flexing.

Miles: what are the symptoms of the problem with your slide? I am very familiar with cables breaking, but other than that, it works fine.

[MP1]

Hi Carl ...The first challenge was in San Antonio last year. It refused to come in; however, we were using battery power. When we switched over to shore power...it then worked for several months. Recently, it started making "thumping" noises which weren't normal...but then again ...it would go in and out. Inasmuch as we are headed to the National Rally...I was hoping to have Keystone take care of it in Goshen. Then last week it sounded like a gear was not meshing. And then 3 days ago, it would only extend about 3 inches. When it retracted, we decided to leave it retracted and contacted a referred mobil RV rep in Rapid City, who asked me if it was a BAL system. The cables all "look" normal to me. Although its challenging for the mobile RV person to diagnose over the phone...he said that his experience would lead him to believe a specific part has failed because he has seen this condition with BAL many times before. I have heard of the challenges of working with electric slides and getting the cables functioning properly after they have been reattached so I am holding my breath that he is a knowledgeable and detailed person who can fix this situation. Fortunately, we are going to be in Rapid City for 5 weeks, so we will be able to bring the slide in and out several times while we are in the area to insure that it is working properly before we leave the Rapid City locale.

[washley1]

I have a question marginally related to this. My Big Sky has a hydraulic slide system, and I THINK no cables. Are other models differently equipped?

[1retired06]

Depends on the year, for the most part. Norm now seems to be hydraulic for all slides except bedroom or FL. Look at your slides when out, if cable, you see the cable top and bottom both sides. IfSchwintex, a metal track strip top and bottom both sides. Two SOBs in our park last year both had Schwintex issues because the two driver motors for each slide got out of sync and the reset process did not work. Others in the park had no problems. We have had no problems with our bedroom BAL setup.

[MP1]

Hi, Walt Because we have a standard 2014 Montana, I cannot speak directly about a Big Sky; however, I believe that most Montana products have hydraulic slides...except for the bedroom slide...which is electric. When your bedroom slide is in the "in" position, look around the bed's headboard and you may find your cables. At least that's where mine are. Before this situation materialized, I had never even looked at my cables. I have our unit serviced once per year at the time of the National Rally at Tiara in Elkhart, IN. As part of its annual maintenance, I always ask that Tiara provide maintenance for my slideouts. However, my hydraulic slideouts have started squeaking recently. In this regard, I have used WD 40 silicone and it seems to help. When I was at Lowes last week, I noticed that WD has a new product which is supposed to be 12X better. I will apply it tomorrow to my hydraulic slideouts. I have never personally treated the cables to our electric slideout. I have applied the silicone to the electric slide's rollers...but essentially...I think it was more to make me "feel" like I was doing something...prior to the electric slides' total failure.

[washley1]

Hmmm. I am pretty sure all my slides are hydraulic, but now I will look next time out. Curious more than anything else!

[1retired06]

You are correct. You reflect a 2009 model. keystone switched from hydraulic for certain models more recently. Our 2002,2005, and 2010 were strictly hydraulic for all slides. Our 2015 has BAL for the bedroom. Would rather have the hydraulic.

[jcurtis934]

There was a point when keystone used schwintec and had major issues so they halted using for a year. Now using again. As for the issue on the bal cable slide...if you stand on the bed and look over behind the facia, you will see the motor which has two chain sprockets and chains that connect to the cables. This connect point is a block that sometimes isn't vertical and this causes the other connector to smack into it...hang up...then release making a loud thunk. Make sure both right side and both left side connectors are vertical. I'm betting your noise goes away. John

[offroad71]

My 2009 3000RK has hydraulic on both living room and bedroom slides.