Slidouts

goducks10 wrote:
I've had rack & pinion slides on 3 different trailers for 111-12 years. None ever gave me an issue. I think it's the most reliable slide type made.
Hydraulic will add more $$ to the price of the RV. Never owned an hydraulic slide so can't comment on reliability.

I share this like of Rack and Pinion slide systems.

Mine uses a linear actuator to push out and pull in rather than trying to power the "rack". The actuator uses a ball nut design that's essentially the same as used in large aircraft to deploy slats/flaps and is extremely reliable.

Some regular preventive maintenance on the Rack and Pinion mechanism, which is nothing more than cleaning and lubing (Dry Silicone Lube) as dictated by operating conditions, is all that's needed.

No oil reservoir to leak, no hoses, just simple.

We have hydraulic slides in our 2011 FW, three slides and no problems. Have never had to refill the hydraulic fluid and we do check it as part of our maintenance. Have had a minor leak,but tightened the seal and it's good.

TXiceman wrote:
I have had the fewest problems with a good hydraulic system. Schwintek and cable slides are a PITA.

Ken

Please describe for me what the PITA is on the Schwintek system; I'm curious.

nickthehunter wrote:

TXiceman wrote:
I have had the fewest problems with a good hydraulic system. Schwintek and cable slides are a PITA.

Ken

Please describe for me what the PITA is on the Schwintek system; I'm curious.

Leaks at the track screws required removing and sealing all mounting screws, lubing motor and shaft beatings, Controller issues. etc. You cannot run a slide partially out...it has to be fully extended to keep motors in synch. Pain to replace drive motors.

I will not have another Schwintek. The hydraulic system has been flawless so far.

Ken

TXiceman wrote:

nickthehunter wrote:

TXiceman wrote:
I have had the fewest problems with a good hydraulic system. Schwintek and cable slides are a PITA.

Ken

Please describe for me what the PITA is on the Schwintek system; I'm curious.

Leaks at the track screws required removing and sealing all mounting screws, lubing motor and shaft beatings, Controller issues. etc. You cannot run a slide partially out...it has to be fully extended to keep motors in synch. Pain to replace drive motors.

I will not have another Schwintek. The hydraulic system has been flawless so far.

Ken

Interesting, I’ve never had a track screw leak, nor have ever taken any out to seal them; never lubed the motor and only spray the track occasionally with the recommended lubricant; never had a controller issue; and have been known to run my slide out partially then pull it back in; never had a problem keeping my motors in sync either. Interesting, two totally polar opposite experiences with the slide system; now the brakes however, what a PITA.

The Schwintek performance very much depends on quality of the installation. I'm sure some of the people building RVs have astigmatism - i.e. can't cut a straight line. Fortunately mine are relatively square.

Biggest problem I had was with the early design (which I have). They don't have slots in the frame to remove the motors - you have to slide the frame out to get at the motors. I've had two motor problems - one actually failed and the other twisted in its mount because the set screw wasn't installed properly - ripped the wiring harness apart.

Never had a mounting screw leak; never lubed the motor; and run my slides part way out all the time. No controller issues.

I do have to say I've read lots more complaints about the Schwintek slide system than either the electric or hydraulic. Most have to do with the slide motors not working together. And the manual is quite vehement about running the slides all the way out, and all the way in. Part way is definitely not recommended. And they keep changing their minds about lubrication. They now say "No Lubrication", whereas they used to recommend a specific type.

Personally I think the Schwintek slides work okay for small slides, but with the bigger slides, not so much.

If you look on the Winnebago forums, you will see that Winnebago stop using Schwintek and went to Power gear and repaired a number under warranty.

Tiffen has approved a newer heavy-duty replacement for Schwintek. It is made by a company called VRoom Slide Systems. This looks interesting.
VRoom Slide Systems

Ken