Schwintek Slide Problem/Repair

[rames14]

While at rally, Lippert is having a training course on sliderooms. We have a group going. Sounds like it’s just a matter of time. Good write up on the Schwintech system.

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by Foldbak

FLRV service department told me that as of this week Keystone is no longer installing schwintek slides.

Good God, what bizarre system are they using next? Cable slides have issues, Schwintek has issues, the only one that seemed to work for a long time with only a few issues is hydraulic. Maybe they are going back to them? Or maybe it is Linear Actuator time? (my friends Luxe has them).

[mhs4771]

My vote is to go all hydraulic, generally seems to have fewer problems and only one system instead of two.

[Foldbak]

Well rack and pinion is out so my guess cable? Personally hydraulic would be my choice. The newer trailers don't have carpet so if the cylinders were to leak is would be a reasonably easy clean up... the problem as I see it is a full on hydraulic 4 or 5 slide and 3 point leveling system would be a plumbing nightmare! Almost need two completely separate systems.

[ChuckS]

Video from another RV owner.. Keystone Alpine with slide stuck in with Schwintek slide system.OP has a pretty good video of how he removed the facia trim to then gain access to the motor ..

In his case he had issues with the guide block rivets that broke loose inside the H rack

https://youtu.be/Q7CQXDOjrQU

[ChuckS]

These images from an OP in a group I belong to show the riveted guide block that broke loose on his Schwintek slide .. slide was stuck extended so he had no access to the motor and such to be able to disengage the motor


Images

[Carl n Susan]

Well it is fixed and I thought I would let you know the solution (at least what little I know of it). My son got the RV into the dealer and they had it repaired in one day.They had to "cut the motor up" to get it out. I don't know what all that entailed but it is beyond any capability we had available.

The moral here is to not let your Schwintek motor get wet.

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by Carl n Susan

Well another day and another try at moving the slide. Once we leveled the RV, and disconnected both motor control lines, we were able to move the left slide by pushing (hard) on it. But the right side wouldn't budge despite three young guys pushing. Further exploration from the inside uncovered what looks like rust in the motor. We feel it is "frozen" and locked up.

The slide is in, so there is no access to the retention screw. We tried removing the outside trim on the slide covering the motor to expose the retention screw but it appears the vertical plastic trim strip has a flange that screws to the side of the slide. Brilliant! Not wanting to destroy the plastic trim strip without a replacement we gave up on that idea for a while.

The current situation is the slide is IN, the motor won't turn to allow the slide to go out, and access to the retention screw is a huge challenge.

We have two thoughts for the next approach.
o - Is there some way to "thaw" the motor (and/or destroy it in place)? Would huge doses of PB Blaster or such have a chance of working? Anything that allows us get the motor to turn or get it out of the drive line.

o - The gear track rails are screwed to the slide walls. We can access and remove all the screws which would allow the slide to move independent of the stuck motor and gears tracks. The concern is what happens to the alignment of the "H" frame and components.? Maybe a RV shop can do this n a properly equipped shop but we don't have that.

Well it is fixed and I thought I would let you know the solution (at least what little I know of it). My son got the RV into the dealer and they had it repaired in one day.They had to "cut the motor up" to get it out. I don't know what all that entailed but it is beyond any capability we had available.

The moral here is to not let your Schwintek motor get wet.

[Foldbak]

Good to hear!