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Big_Rig1's avatar
Big_Rig1
Explorer
May 31, 2015

Attention: Arctic Fox owners with basement slide out tray

I have a 2015 AF 990 with an AL-KO basement slide out tray under the door. The back of the tray has a wheel on each side. One wheel fell off & I got a replacement wheel. I don't have the press in thing that the wheel mounts in, so I mounted the wheel with a small bolt but I can't get the tray to go in or operate properly. I am thinking because the bolt sticks out a little it is not working right. The original wheel mounts so the mounting hardware is flush with the wheel. Anyone have any thoughts on this. I don't even know what to ask for to find the press in thing the wheel mounts in, looks like a bad design to me. I tried to contact AL-KO via phone & e-mail but I don't receive any replies. This has been broken for 4 months & I am going bonkers trying to figure this out....HELP.....This is a head scratcher for me. :h
A side note, Northwood said they don't use that company any more, they have gone to Happijac for their slide out trays.

Big Rig (John)
Truck Campers

7 Replies

  • AnEv942's avatar
    AnEv942
    Nomad
    May 31, 2015
    I cant imagine the wheel is so unique that a replacment couldnt be found, with mounting hardware. Though just a WAG on my part not seeing one. Cruised thru local hardware? or possibly Mc Master-Carr or Graingers.
  • deltabravo's avatar
    deltabravo
    Nomad
    May 31, 2015
    kerry4951 wrote:
    Ive had my slide out tray since 2010 when I bought the unit. .... Mine has held up well and I never considered it to be a piece of junk.


    The trays in our vintage of AFs must be a different brand. Mine's a 2010 as well. I think there's a label on mine, but I've never paid attention to it. I will check it today.

    In regards to the bolt, grinding the head off might help.

    When I had my Desert Fox toy hauler, the fuel gauge sending unit was kaput.
    Northwood was OK with sending me the part so I could drop the tank and install the new part, so long as I returned the old sending unit to them.
    I wanted to do it myself because the local dealer is always booked out like 3 weeks. Northwood saved the cost of a warranty claim too by letting me do the work.
    If all else fails, (like someone else mentions) see of they can send you the parts to replace the try with the new style.
  • kerry4951's avatar
    kerry4951
    Explorer
    May 31, 2015
    Ive had my slide out tray since 2010 when I bought the unit. I use it all the time. My leveling blocks are in there so when we are out Im in that tray every day. Mine has held up well and I never considered it to be a piece of junk.
  • Butch50's avatar
    Butch50
    Explorer
    May 31, 2015
    I would contact Northwood and discuss this situation with them and see if you could take it to a dealer close to where you live and have them see about fixing it under warranty. Might be worth a try.

    Another thing you might want to hit off them is sending you the new tray and install if your self if possible.

    The reason I'm responding is I use to have an AF1140 and it was a good camper and hate to see anybody with a problem on the AF. In fact when I had my NL I bought the AF Fox Landing and installed it on the back of my 2012 NL.
  • Big_Rig1's avatar
    Big_Rig1
    Explorer
    May 31, 2015
    I would happily take it back to the dealer but it would be a 1000 mile round trip plus a place to stay & not sure that they would be able to solve the problem. If I can just get the additional parts, I may be able to repair it. The dealer did get me in touch with the Northwood parts guy who sent me the new wheels. He just happened to have 2 left. They don't stock any more equipment from AL-KO.
    You are right that the tray is a piece of junk.

    Big Rig
  • Butch50's avatar
    Butch50
    Explorer
    May 31, 2015
    If it is still in warranty I would take it right back to the dealer and put it on their back. If they need to replace then you would get the Happijac one now most likely. No reason you should have to mess around try to fix something that AF used and now no longer uses because they found out that it apparently garbage.

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