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373 Replies
2bzy2c wrote:
So CW picked up the RV on the 24th. Have they been back to you with what they are going to do or not?
Actually it was the 25th... But I had to go up there to find out what is going on. They have yet to touch the Palazzo. Thor shipped them some new Schwintek slide components. They said Thor is supposed to fly a tech out Monday to work on it. I have yet to have a meaningful conversation with anyone at Thor. My first conversation with them was not a very pleasant one. But this was a Holiday week and as you all know, no one of any decision making powers work on a Holiday week.- So CW picked up the RV on the 24th. Have they been back to you with what they are going to do or not?
- Our fifth wheel (Alpenlite) had one slide (sofa and dinette) and while it did increase the volume of the unit, it was just the walking around parts. I loved the bedroom on that unit (except for the louvered windows... never again) with the bed placed fore-and-aft and big windows on each side for a cross breeze and a nice big view. The slide was never as serious a problem as this one... but I was always concerned about it. Our motorhome (a '93 Foretravel) has no slides and is actually only 8' wide (for the Baja roads... we've been there before).
I won't say I'll never have a rig with a slide again, but it will have to be a Foretravel if I do.
Craig ezgoin wrote:
From JTHarley, "I do agree that the flat floor slides seem to be the one's with issues."
Since I'm fairly new to slides, what are flat floor slides?
Flat floor slides are ones that when extended the interior floor of the coach and the floor of the slide are on the same level, I.E. flat. Some of these slides are designed to move straight in and out and others are designed the move out then down to create the "flat floor" inside the coach. Those slides that usually move straight in and out create a "near flat" floor where the carpet on the slide floor is the only risen part of the slide out floor. This is usually a one of the first things I look at when walking inside a lot of coaches in an RV show or on dealer lots.
In my situation with the Palazzo, Thor totally eliminated the flat vs risen floor slide out question by taking all the kitchen cabinetry, closets, refrigerator and even the dinette and put all that in a whole side wall slide out. The only "step up" is in the dinette which actually at first appealed to our family. It's kinda like going to a restaurant with a booth table that is slightly risen above the floor.
Little did we know the weight of all that cabinetry and kitchen counters, fridge, washer and dryer is just too much for that slide to handle. IMHO it was a very poor design. Unfortunately it is something we are going to have to live with until we somehow get rid of this lemon. Moral of the story here is, if you see a slide that contains the whole kitchen and inner workings... be aware.- From JTHarley, "I do agree that the flat floor slides seem to be the one's with issues."
Since I'm fairly new to slides, what are flat floor slides? - I should say they still go straight out and in it is just when they are out the floor in front lifts up to fill in the gap.
- FOretravel and Newell have flat floors now but still no problems really.
- I'm on motorhome #7 and slides are ALWAYS an issue at some point if you own the unit long enough. I've had electric, hydraulic, you name it…..On my first MH ( a gulfstream) which was a piece of trash, the slide rusted and twisted after one year, leaked from day one... dealer took it back on a trade. On my winnebago Vectra, 2 solenoids blew and we had to crank them in by hand using a small tool provided…9 hours later we where on the road to get it fixed. On my Dynamax the main slide needed adjusting constantly to get it to "seat" just right and then a hydraulic cylinder blew and it was in such a position that an exterior bay had to be torn open to get at it…..$6,000 later it was fixed.
In making the decision on my current coach, I had no problem what so ever going down to 2 slides The point is, slides are a pain in the butt. They add so much living space you just can't live without them if you spend extended time in your coach. BUT there is a price to pay. I do agree that the flat floor slides seem to be the one's with issues. You just don't hear about slide issues on Foretravel's, Prevost's, Newells but none of them are flat floor. I asked the Prevost dealer what the maintenance is on the slides I have now and he said none! The inflatable seal may need to be replaced every 10 years or so but that's it. These things go in and out smooth and silent. Slide issues in my book are the WORST problem to have. I can feel your pain…especially on a new coach. Lipets wrote:
from the schwintek website
Proud to supply the above manufacturers
Some of these manufacturers use the Schwintek components to operate things like TV's the disappear behind a cabinet. I'd like to see all the ones that use it for a full length RV slide out like Thor.- Not to highjack, but my friend has a 2013 Tiffin Breeze 32BR diesel for seven months. He has not had any problems. I asked about the slides and he said his are hydraulic and work well. I guess he knows, this is his fourth DP and put over 100K miles on his last one. I am looking closely at a Breeze...never had a slide or diesel so I am moving slowly. My Bounder runs good and no problems in 14 years of ownership.
