Forum Discussion

ib516's avatar
ib516
Explorer II
Jul 26, 2015

Slide out question - reliability

Background:

We currently have a 37 foot 5er and are looking to downsize. Kids are getting older and soon won't be coming with us.

I have been shopping for a 25ish foot Tt as we want to travel further from home and get into some remote campsites that there is no way our current monster will fit into. Some we have been looking at include Tracer, Rockwood and Jayco.


Now, onto my question.

I am hearing from a local dealer that the "schwintek" slide out system is troublesome. This is the type of slideout system many smaller RVs have. It is identified by the gear tracks on each corner of the slide out. Like this.


Apparently the issue is failing slide out motors (one of the two) and the resulting stuck slide outs. I have also been told that manually cranking in the slide will then cause the other motor to fail. The dealer that told me this sells these models (not bashing the competition) and is a friend.

They have had so many issues they are not bringing any more in.

Any owner experience appreciated.
  • ib516's avatar
    ib516
    Explorer II
    Jul 27, 2015
    Tequila wrote:
    ib516 wrote:
    Never mind, did some searching (duh) and found wayyy to many posts about problems.

    Thanks to those who responded, and I will check out that 2604.

    We really liked the Tracer 252 floor plan. Jayco makes one that is the exact same too.


    The only slide without problems is no slide.

    True, but you'll REALLY never have an RV breakdown if you don't own an RV. That's good logic.

    I know all RVs are built to a standard of quality that would make a Yugo look as reliable as an anvil, but having said that, my current POS Cougar has 3 slides, and that's about the only thing I haven't had an issue with. Ask me about the POS lippert frame breaking on our maiden voyage.
  • Gdetrailer's avatar
    Gdetrailer
    Explorer III
    Jul 26, 2015
    Tequila wrote:
    ib516 wrote:
    Never mind, did some searching (duh) and found wayyy to many posts about problems.

    Thanks to those who responded, and I will check out that 2604.

    We really liked the Tracer 252 floor plan. Jayco makes one that is the exact same too.


    The only slide without problems is no slide.


    :R

    Then I guess I must have a "problem" since I have no cares or wants to have a slide..

    I have NO leaky slide seals to worry about.

    I have no slide motors to malfunction at the worst possible time.

    I have no slide tracks to jump.

    I have no hydraulic pumps/cylinders/hoses to go bad.

    I have no wires to break.

    I have no flooring to get damaged by a slide.

    I got to enjoy the show at a campground one year of a fellow camper with a slide system that failed in an open position.. They BEAT on that thing for several days trying to get it back together.. Yeah, that sounds like a fun time for sure..

    I HAVE all the space I need or want without a slide and none of the worries or problems of a slide gone bad..

    No slide to me is "priceless" so no "problems" for me :B .
  • Tequila's avatar
    Tequila
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2015
    ib516 wrote:
    Never mind, did some searching (duh) and found wayyy to many posts about problems.

    Thanks to those who responded, and I will check out that 2604.

    We really liked the Tracer 252 floor plan. Jayco makes one that is the exact same too.


    The only slide without problems is no slide.
  • ib516's avatar
    ib516
    Explorer II
    Jul 26, 2015
    Never mind, did some searching (duh) and found wayyy to many posts about problems.

    Thanks to those who responded, and I will check out that 2604.

    We really liked the Tracer 252 floor plan. Jayco makes one that is the exact same too.
  • Keith099's avatar
    Keith099
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2015
    The problem is with the design itself. There's no way those 2 motors will ever run at the exact same speed and power output. One always ends up pushing slightly harder. That one takes 80-95% of the load and ends up working almost twice as hard as it's designed to.

    Other effect is the slide not going out straight and square once the motor starts dying. that can mean you won't get a good seal and have eventual water damage, or as a worst case, jump the whole thing off the tracks.

    Buddy with a 2012 toy hauler has the Schwintek slides. Got stuck about 8" out while he was bringing it in. Dealer said to bring it in and they'll fix. Sure, but how do you bring it there with this obstruction sticking out? Next trip, the big rubber seal came loose on the interstate and was flapping 8 feet behind the slide.

    Unless you have some very sophisticated sensors and controller, you cant run 2 electric motors like that and expect it to work right.
  • _tiredTeacher's avatar
    _tiredTeacher
    Explorer II
    Jul 26, 2015
    ib516 wrote:
    I am hearing from a local dealer that the "schwintek" slide out system is troublesome. Any owner experience appreciated.

    Our Rockwood 2604WS has that system on its wardrobe slide. Going on 3 years and no problems.
    By the way, check out the 2604WS. We find it to be the perfect couple's trailer.
  • Tequila's avatar
    Tequila
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2015
    I think you will find this applied to the earlier versions. Supposedly the newer ones are OK.

    The main issue I have seen is that most manufacturers have the rollers runnign along the underside of the slide out which is usually plywood with some sort of coating. This is easily fixable by installing 0.06 mil aluminum plates for them to run along.

    I have had my trailer for 18 months with no issues, but I can't speak for those who have had them longer. Apparently the motors can be easily replaced. I just hope on mine its not the one against the tight wall that ever goes. I woudl have preferred a trailer without a slide, but the wife wanted one with a slide.

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