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Winnebago Itasca Full Wall Slide Failure

Doin_it
Explorer
Explorer
We own a 35 foot 2014 Itasca Suncruiser that we bought new 2 years ago. Six months after purchase the full wall slide out would not fully close on the lower rear corner. We took it to a dealer about 90 miles from home. They said that the Schwintek motors were bad which caused the slide to go out crooked and bind up. When we picked it up a couple weeks later we were told several times that we must be absolutely certain that the motor home is level before putting the slides out. (Something we have always done, even before their warning.) The slides have been fine for the past 18 months. After a 6 week trip to the southwest US, we arrived home late Thursday evening. Friday morning we went out, leveled up, deployed the two small slides, and pushed the switch for the large slide. It started to go out at the front, but the back was not moving. Quickly let off switch, brought it back in, and then tried again. It went out at the front, and out at the bottom rear, but not at all at the top rear. It will now not go in at all on the bottom rear and is sticking out about 5". We have tried pushing and pulling, but it is totally jammed. I called the dealer who did the work 18 months ago. He said they will gladly do the work again and encouraged me to call Winnebago Customer Service to ask about it being paid for by the company, since it is out of warranty. Jake with Winnebago was kind, sympathetic and apologetic. He also told me that the company will stand behind it and pay for the repair again. Unfortunately, he also said that the repair will be made using the exact same motor. As many problems and issues they have had, I am just amazed that they haven't come up with a solution to the problem! I told him, and also this forum, that we love the motor home except for this issue. Would we buy another Winnebago product? Yes. Would we buy another motor home with a full wall slide? No way!

Ann and Tom from Kansas
2014 35' Itasca Suncruiser
2013 Jeep Wrangler
34 REPLIES 34

eheading
Explorer
Explorer
I cannot believe that neither Thor or Winnebago will replace the motors with anything but the original motor. The newer units have a larger more rugged motor, as I understand it. I think it is unpardonable that the manufacturers will not install the larger motor when a smaller one fails since the replacement will eventually fail also.

And regarding the issue of a full slide, it is a Schwintek problem, not a full slide problem. We have a full slide in our Newmar motorhome and it has worked flawlessly for over 2 years now.

Ed Headington

Effy
Explorer II
Explorer II
Dr Jay wrote:
I have not had a problem with my Schwintek slide outs. At least not yet. I have had my Winnebago Sightseer (2013) since Jan of 2013. One thing I always do is keep the motor runing per the manual while I am leveling then putting the slides out. Per the manual, this is to halp assure enough electrical power to the systems and avoid problems.


Similar, I plug in first, but yes I make sure the motors have full power to move them in and out. Also, the issue mainly occurs on full wall slides. The Schwintek's are simply under-engineered for the task. The Band-Aid is to ad another rail. Not confidence inspiring if you ask me.
2013 ACE 29.2

Hikerdogs
Explorer
Explorer
If at all possible I would take the motorhome to Forest City to get the repairs done at the factory service center. We had them repair our full wall slide last year. It was done as a "Goodwill Adjustment".

While the dealer may be able to replace the broken parts I doubt they have the equipment and expertise to properly repair the problem. Your case sounds similar to ours except in our case it was the lower front corner that would never stay in time.

At the factory service center they totally removed the slide. This means disconnecting all plumbing, gas and electrical connections as well as the slide mechanisms. They used a large padded fork truck to remove the slide itself and set it on custom made stands to do the repair work.

They replaced the motors and gear mechanisms at both ends, replaced the racks on the slide, added another roller under the kitchen island (to minimize the cantilevered weight, and removed the last body mounted roller at the bedroom end.

In our case the slide was not square with the body. It was high at the rear causing excessive pressure on the top front rack mechanism and very little gear engagement on the lower front gear mechanism.

We left the motorhome at the factory service center over the Thanksgiving week, and picked it up the following week. We're now In the middle of a one month trip. So far the slide has worked better than it did when the motorhome was new. The factory technicians did excellent work in a timely manner.
Hikerdogs
2013 Winnebago Adventurer

Dr_Jay
Explorer
Explorer
I have not had a problem with my Schwintek slide outs. At least not yet. I have had my Winnebago Sightseer (2013) since Jan of 2013. One thing I always do is keep the motor runing per the manual while I am leveling then putting the slides out. Per the manual, this is to halp assure enough electrical power to the systems and avoid problems.
2013 Winnebago Sightseer
Greater Boston Area

lakebum
Explorer
Explorer
Here is another nice video if you have issues on the road...

https://youtu.be/xojUdPDWNS0

This shows how to disengage the motor and/or override the computer to close the wall slide.
Ken & Janice
South Hill, Virginia

lakebum
Explorer
Explorer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSafAnjxIV4

Here is a link on how to realign the Schwintek slide
Ken & Janice
South Hill, Virginia

rv2go
Explorer II
Explorer II
Last fall I stopped by Winnebago in Forest City without an appointment for a water heater problem. It was a few days before they worked me in.

While there it was astonishing how many Motorhomes were there getting work on the
Schwintek Slide systems. All agreed Winnebago really screwed up by using this system.
Winnebago Journey
TN Lic. RV 2 GO
Jeep Cherokee 4x4
I'm here #4335
Blog

timmac
Explorer
Explorer
When I go to a RV show and see the Schwintek slide systems on the large slidouts with either 2 rails or 3 I just shake my head, I also like how the RV salesmen sells the newbies of all the great new features like the hidden slide systems and such, those poor newbies just don't know what they are getting into..

lj2654
Explorer
Explorer
I have only heard bad news about the swintek slides. The slides are way too heavy to operate with these type of supports and they have been an issue from the start. All it takes is for your coach to be a bit out of level and they get crooked, then when you try to put it back in it makes things worse. Bad design.
2001 Beaver Contessa Naples 40
2012 Cadillac Srx
retired AirForce 1979-1992

timmac
Explorer
Explorer
lakebum wrote:


According to the manual I just found online...

I guess I could have either one of thees three...

Slide-Outs
Power Gear/Dewald 800-334-4712
HWH 800-321-3494
Liftco 574-266-5551


Your safe with any of those, I know the top 2 you have there not sure about the 3rd, maybe someone will chime on and let us know.

lakebum
Explorer
Explorer
timmac wrote:
lakebum wrote:


New to us...

2008 Coachmen Sportscoach Cross Country 383 FWS


I think you are safe, my Bounder is a 08 and has the Power Gear and I think your new one will also, the Schwintek slide systems are sort of new on the market, or at least for the large slides, should have never used those type on large slides.


According to the manual I just found online...

I guess I could have either one of thees three...

Slide-Outs
Power Gear/Dewald 800-334-4712
HWH 800-321-3494
Liftco 574-266-5551
Ken & Janice
South Hill, Virginia

timmac
Explorer
Explorer
lakebum wrote:


New to us...

2008 Coachmen Sportscoach Cross Country 383 FWS


I think you are safe, my Bounder is a 08 and has the Power Gear and I think your new one will also, the Schwintek slide systems are sort of new on the market, or at least for the large slides, should have never used those type on large slides.

lakebum
Explorer
Explorer
timmac wrote:
lakebum wrote:


Not sure what system we have yet, we take delivery on Thursday. It seemed to run smoothly in and out when we were checking everything out. We had them install new electric awning and they had to order and install it. Will find out on Thursday.


What is your new RV


New to us...

2008 Coachmen Sportscoach Cross Country 383 FWS
Ken & Janice
South Hill, Virginia

timmac
Explorer
Explorer
lakebum wrote:


Not sure what system we have yet, we take delivery on Thursday. It seemed to run smoothly in and out when we were checking everything out. We had them install new electric awning and they had to order and install it. Will find out on Thursday.


What is your new RV

lakebum
Explorer
Explorer
Bruce Brown wrote:
lakebum wrote:
I hope that is not a common problem with Full Wall Slides, we just purchased a 2009 Coachmen Cross County 383 FWS.

I hope they are able to get your problem fixed and corrected.

The full wall slide it's the problem, the Schwintek part it - and seems to be a lot.

For me, anything using this slide method would be a complete deal breaker. Maybe someday they'll get it figured out - for all those who own the system I sure hope they do.


Not sure what system we have yet, we take delivery on Thursday. It seemed to run smoothly in and out when we were checking everything out. We had them install new electric awning and they had to order and install it. Will find out on Thursday.
Ken & Janice
South Hill, Virginia