Cables and Pulleys on Slides

Schwintek is not the only rack and pinion system out there. They do seem to be more trouble prone than most of the others.

Atom Ant wrote:
The cable system makes me shudder when I think back to rethreading cables on my Starcraft popup years ago, but I really don't have any experience with them.

What I do have experience with is Schwintek (rack and pinion as you call it) on our forward slide and it is not great either. I have to keep it lubed, or it shuts off before the slide is actually closed, and it just sounds fragile. I'll take hydraulic anytime, but I understand with the new front living rooms and taller slides it is not always reasonable to install a hydraulic piston under the slide.

That hydraulic piston requires a hole be put in the beam. The hole itself becomes an engineering liability. By eliminating the hole designers can eliminate a lot of weight. That is the ultimate advantage of the cable system.
Otherwise both systems are mechanical with moving parts and motors that can,will and break occasionally.
Nether system is foolproof but creating a significant weight reduction is a huge bonus for the cable slides

Thanks for the responses and links. When I first saw it all I could think was "what a maintenance nightmare". Now I feel a lot better about it and it helps answer another question about the Sprinters.

Jake

I have a 2009 Open Range that we have had since May 2008. It has the BAL cable system on it and we have had no trouble at all with the system. The cable system does allow the mfg to put out a lighter unit due to the weight difference between the cable system and the others.
If you Google BAL cable system you can see drawings and instructions how the system works. There are some folks that seem to think that this system is no good but they must have never been in an airplane. If you have a unit with 3 slides you will probably drop 700-900 pounds per slide by the cable system. Good Luck and Happy Camping.

X2 on 2.5 years with no issues. I also like the access to the motors & them being protected on the inside instead of under the RV.

The cable system makes me shudder when I think back to rethreading cables on my Starcraft popup years ago, but I really don't have any experience with them.

What I do have experience with is Schwintek (rack and pinion as you call it) on our forward slide and it is not great either. I have to keep it lubed, or it shuts off before the slide is actually closed, and it just sounds fragile. I'll take hydraulic anytime, but I understand with the new front living rooms and taller slides it is not always reasonable to install a hyraulic piston under the slide.

I have cables on a bedroom slide (and R&P on the two, heavy, main slides) and haven't had any trouble. I did have to replace one cable about a year ago (the button had broken off the outer end and I don't know how long it was off. The slide worked perfectly without one cable.) but I just followed the video on the B.A.L. website and had no trouble.

A

I prefer the cable system. Have had Hydraulic as well as the cable system. Much easier to service the cable system if needed. My cables have been very reliable. And the system works as dependable as a garage door opening system. I did buy a spare cable, in case needed. About $30 but haven't needed to use it.

Cable driven slide systems allow for lighter trailers because the main beams do not have a large hole to accommodate the drive shafts. The net result is a lighter frame without compromising integrity.
The cables themselves are fairly reliable. They do require periodic adjustment, however it is nothing to get excited about.
Occasionally a cable may fray and break (this most often occurs if cables are never adjusted)
Cable Repair/replacement kits are sold on Amazon.
Cable slide systems are less of an issue now because the bugs have been worked out, but more importantly the techs in the field have become more familiar with the systems and are able to adjust and repair them properly.
Keep in mind traditional systems are not foolproof either. As long as there are moving parts there will be wear issues and failures on both systems. At this point cables systems are just as reliable as shaft driven systems.
I have just completed my 3rd season with no real cable slide issues other than 1 adjustment that I did myself with the help of an online manual.

I also the cable system with no problems over the past 2.5 years. One of the things I like about it is that all of the motors and pulleys are 'inside' the trailer not exposed to weather and dirt. Had hydraulic before that with lots of problems.