Slide Issue - Plastic power track

[AquaMan]

Got home from a 10 day vacation in FL on Sunday and went to put my slides out. When I came to the bunk slide, I heard a pop, and possibly a "crunch" sound. Stopped immediately and figured out it was the plastic track that the wires run in. Removed the access panel to have a look. I found one of the links to be popped of its connection, so I snapped it back in place. Problem still exists. It seems that the track doesn't want to run up the wall like it should and wants to get stuck at the bend. If I pull on the track while the slide goes out, it works fine. It just doesn't want to make the bend up the wall. Has anyone had any experience with these? I'm thinking of making a "ramp" of some sort to help the track make the bend instead of just having the 90 degree wall corner.


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[RVnut]

Since it is tight thru the hall when it is closed up we open this slide a lot to load and unload our handicapped son into his bunk.. I am going to go see if ours is the same way or if they have improved the track system since it is fairly new.. (Mfg October 2015)

[AquaMan]

I've opened it a bunch of times, not sure why all of a sudden it decided to bind up. I'm going to create a ramp for it to help move start it up the wall, instead of binding at the corner. I'm just guessing there is something in the track or one of the pieces is cracked/broke, that is preventing fluid movement. I don't see anything.

[B and B]

Ramp sounds like a good solution. Good thing you managed to register for Goshen, a small but needed service request IMHO.

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by B and B

Ramp sounds like a good solution. Good thing you managed to register for Goshen, a small but needed service request IMHO.

True, but I will most likely have it fixed before then. Have a 2 week trip June, 2 weeks in July, and a couple other weekends thrown in before Goshen.

[Modmike]

What about putting a bungie on one of the links close to the wall and screwing the other end to the back wall to create a little tension when open.

As it closes it will pull it in and up to make sure it starts properly.

[pact40]

I have a 2012 Georgetown 329 and have the same problem. My cable trac drops into the floor and binds up causing the plastic joints to separate. I brought it to a dealer in NJ and he put the track back together and lubed it with something. It worked for a little while but I still have trouble with it. Sorry I don't know what will resolve the issue just yet. I was going to put a spring or a bungie cord with a little tension on mine this year to help pull the track into the area under the slide and see if that works. It's seems like it's a bad design.

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by Modmike

What about putting a bungie on one of the links close to the wall and screwing the other end to the back wall to create a little tension when open.

As it closes it will pull it in and up to make sure it starts properly.

This is a good idea, but works just the opposite. I runs up the wall as the slide opens, and down as it closes, the tension needs to be there when closed. I think I'll add that along with my radius ramp.

[Modmike]

That's counter intuitive, you'd think it would play out as it extends. In any case the bungie would still work but the only issue is it would be under tension most of the time, not just when the slide is open.

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by pact40

I have a 2012 Georgetown 329 and have the same problem. My cable trac drops into the floor and binds up causing the plastic joints to separate. I brought it to a dealer in NJ and he put the track back together and lubed it with something. It worked for a little while but I still have trouble with it. Sorry I don't know what will resolve the issue just yet. I was going to put a spring or a bungie cord with a little tension on mine this year to help pull the track into the area under the slide and see if that works. It's seems like it's a bad design.

The track drops into the floor on the front main slide on my 364 like yours, and this seems to be working fine. I'm going to look at a little dry lube or silicone spray to help things along. This may just be a maintenance thing. Maybe dirt or sand (we were at the beach) has gotten into the tracks.

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by Modmike

That's counter intuitive, you'll think it would play out as it extends. In any case the bungie would still work but the only issue is it would be under tension most of the time, not when it is open.

It's because the stationary end of the track is at the metal junction box, which is not mounted to the slide. The movement end is mounted to the front inside face of the slide. As the slide moves out, it pushes the track against the outside wall

[Modmike]

I see said the blind man to his deaf assistant after he saw the empty truck full of bricks run over the dead cat and kill it.

[AquaMan]

Originally Posted by Modmike

I see said the blind man to his deaf assistant after he saw the empty truck full of bricks run over the dead cat and kill it.

Clear as mud!

[pact40]

Originally Posted by AquaMan

It's because the stationary end of the track is at the metal junction box, which is not mounted to the slide. The movement end is mounted to the front inside face of the slide. As the slide moves out, it pushes the track against the outside wall

Yes that's correct. I seem to have the problems when the slide is almost completely out. The track bunches up in the opening and pops the joints apart.

[Bama Rambler]

Maybe they should have put a couple more joints of track in.

[AquaMan]

I talked with Bryan Knight at Georgetown today about this issue and he said they have in at least one case, installed a nylon track to guide the E-track (official name) up the wall. I'm sending him pictures tomorrow of what mine is doing. May see about getting some of this nylon track to guide the E-track


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