I am in my 3rd week of searching for the right camper for our 2.5 family. Daughter is almost 10.I am trying to stick to needs vs wants and am in need of advice.Both the EC 1160 and Lance 1172 are dual slides. I really just need either a full couch across the back and a typical dinette, or a typical dinette and a smaller couch across the back. I cannot see spending a ton for either the OLDER Chalet TS116 or the Host Everest....both have FULL couch across the back. Host is too much money Chalet is too **** old and not currently produced past 2013So, that puts me to Eagle Cap 1160Lance 1172I have to admit, I am terrified to end up with problems with a slide mechanism. Now that we are into 2019/2020, are the Schwintek slide systems better? It seems EVERYONE uses them? If I've read 25 horror stories, I have yet to see some shinning light.I think the weight on these units will be close enough for me, so I'm out for a system that last for a while!Do any of the EC 1160 owners on here have any input?Do any of the Lance 1172 owners have any input?

I travel with 2 kids and the 1191 fills the need, might even be able to find one with the rear tent option if you do summer camping only.

I really only want info about the models I posted. Thanks anyway.

When I was shopping for ours the Host and the Eagle Cap were pretty much same cost for equal units. Of course sticker price and what you should pay are different numbers. The Schwintek slides and the issues people were having with them at that time was a big determination in our choice. Lance is now owned by REV group. I have heard some grumblings about quality. That would be my research on the Lance. Lance has a good reputation but now that they are owned by a conglomerate has quality and service changed? Might be good to spend some time in one of the lance owners groups (and EC as well)I did a fair amount of my research between the 2 you are looking at. Functionally the Eagle Cap would be my choice with Host out of the picture. EC has a more wide open floor plan, bigger tanks, bigger fridge, more storage than the Lance.

work2much wrote:When I was shopping for ours the Host and the Eagle Cap were pretty much same cost for equal units. Of course sticker price and what you should pay are different numbers. The Schwintek slides and the issues people were having with them at that time was a big determination in our choice. I did a fair amount of my research between the 2 you are looking at. Functionally the Eagle Cap would be my choice with Host out of the picture. EC has a more wide open floor plan, bigger tanks, bigger fridge, more storage than the Lance.You pretty much nailed what I know so far...Man, there really isn't squat in the EC forums on ANYTHING newer than 2015.The Lance (I own one now...I really rather get the EC for the tanks and fridge alone!Have the slide issues been tamed?I really like the Azdel (no water issues that will rot) in the Lance. REALLY wished EC did that too.Thanks for your input.Eagle Cap 1160 Lance 1172

JTLance wrote:work2much wrote:When I was shopping for ours the Host and the Eagle Cap were pretty much same cost for equal units. Of course sticker price and what you should pay are different numbers. The Schwintek slides and the issues people were having with them at that time was a big determination in our choice. I did a fair amount of my research between the 2 you are looking at. Functionally the Eagle Cap would be my choice with Host out of the picture. EC has a more wide open floor plan, bigger tanks, bigger fridge, more storage than the Lance.You pretty much nailed what I know so far...Man, there really isn't squat in the EC forums on ANYTHING newer than 2015.The Lance (I own one now...I really rather get the EC for the tanks and fridge alone!Have the slide issues been tamed?I really like the Azdel (no water issues that will rot) in the Lance. REALLY wished EC did that too.Thanks for your input.FWIW; We are on our 2nd AMLRV camper. Both have been great and trouble free. Forget which mechanism our slide has...but no troubles.Good luck, Bill

Eagle cap 1160 & Lance 1172 owners.... | Good Sam Community

av8rds
Explorer
Aug 14, 2019
JTLance wrote:
AV8RDS

That is exactly why I am paralyzed with fear. Your post is spot on. The only slides Ive ever had were on two other campers and both were flawless and both were NOT schwintek's.

Do you think there is a production year that may have many of the issues worked out?

I can see 2017-18 as a target?

Thats a great question. I see a lot of campers(TC's, A's, C's, Tags) with Schwintek so you'd like to think its worked out but using Google I'm not quite convinced. Obviously not convinced to buy the EC960 I like.
av8rds
Explorer
Aug 14, 2019
bighatnohorse wrote:
Actually, there is an emergency method of slide retraction with the Schwintek system. It uses an override of the electronic "brain" to force the motors to bring the slide in - just as if one were to physically attach DC power to each motor.

However, if there were some physically broken parts, the slide would not be "retractable" even if there were a manual crank.

There is. There is also their method in their manual where you have to reach behind the seals and lift the 4 motors to disengage them so you can physically push the slide.

page 3 sections 2 and 3

https://www.amlrv.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Schwintek-Manual-override.pdf
JTLance
Explorer
Aug 14, 2019
So, if I may ask, what does Host do that supposed to be better?
work2much
Explorer
Aug 14, 2019
JTLance wrote:
So, if I may ask, what does Host do that supposed to be better?

Not sure the context of the question. I assume just in regards to the slide motors?

Host uses a power gear system instead of the Schwintec. It is a pretty simple and robust unit.

For disconnecting the slide motors on a Host there are levers on the motors and access doors to disconnect them easily on the side slides and the motor for the rear slide sits at the end of the slide by the entry door. Very easy to reach all three on the Host. Fortunately past testing them when new there hasn't been an issue on any of the slides on our camper. We have opened and closed the slides hundreds of times now.
RobG
Explorer
Aug 14, 2019
Anybody happen to know if Arctic Fox uses Schwintek for its slides?
work2much
Explorer
Aug 14, 2019
RobG wrote:
Anybody happen to know if Arctic Fox uses Schwintek for its slides?

You can tell if it's schwintek if you see the tracks on the side of the slide like these:

No tracks on side of slide would be a power gear system
RobG
Explorer
Aug 14, 2019
HAHA SWEET!! Thanks.

I just signed a deal yesterday on a new 2019 Arctic Fox 992. I pick it up over Labor Day weekend. Have to go to Colorado to get it (which will be a fun trip).
Bedlam
Moderator
Aug 14, 2019
Your requirement for a couch and dinette limit the number of campers available. If you are willing to go with one or the other, Arctic Fox will replace the dinette with a couch and you could choose an 1140 or 1150 for more space. The Northstar 12 STC has no slides but is well laid out.

I have a hard time suggesting either model the OP listed and am just trying to think of a different box that may fit...
3_tons
Explorer III
Aug 14, 2019
I think that the biggest boogieman on the Schwintek was due to improper or near lack of installation training...At this point (post initial growing pains) they are pretty RV ubiquitous and likely with few concerns...
Bedlam
Moderator
Aug 14, 2019
I’m not sure about installations, but I just helped a Lance owner synchronize his slide motors last weekend. It appears they wander off the when slide is not fully opened and closed. Luckily I found the link for him so he could bookmark it and we had Internet access to get guidance.