SV235RKS Slide problems; again

[acadianbob]

We've had our 235RKS for almost 5 years now; over 100 nights camped; and towed all over God's creation. It has been a great RV.

BUT, this week the rear slide developed issues; again. In its second year, it broke an overhead trolley. Both trolleys were replaced with a re-designed trolley. This time, while extending the slide, the top board that the trolleys are attached to pulled inward (toward the front of the trailer). This created an extreme angle on the trolley which in turn gouged the track. Bob not happy.

We camped OK and got it back in OK. Now it sits at the dealer awaiting a verdict. I really hope they can get this permanently squared away.

It's hard to be confident in the operation of the slide; especially when you are in the middle of nowhere for a couple of weeks.

[shineysideup]

Originally Posted by acadianbob

We've had our 235RKS for almost 5 years now; over 100 nights camped; and towed all over God's creation. It has been a great RV.

BUT, this week the rear slide developed issues; again. In its second year, it broke an overhead trolley. Both trolleys were replaced with a re-designed trolley. This time, while extending the slide, the top board that the trolleys are attached to pulled inward (toward the front of the trailer). This created an extreme angle on the trolley which in turn gouged the track. Bob not happy.

We camped OK and got it back in OK. Now it sits at the dealer awaiting a verdict. I really hope they can get this permanently squared away.

It's hard to be confident in the operation of the slide; especially when you are in the middle of nowhere for a couple of weeks.

Hey Bob, sorry for you're troubles. My slide was adjusted at the dealer a few years ago. It seems way too big and made to haphazardly to last.

Mine has not messed up yet but i cringe every time it goes in and out. I always start and stop the extension or retraction of the slide several times to allow the slide to "straighten" itself out.

We have over 100 nights in our trailer also, though we've done no bondocking, and approx. 15000 miles of towing.

My slide has recently started to make popping noises when someone gets on it. I can't seem to find the issue yet...

Good luck,

Shineysideup,

[MOD Guy]

Let us know how it goes. I hope it's not someting too bad. I have not had any problems (fingers crossed) with the ceiling rollers or tracks. My issues were the rollers in the opening, but easy to fix.

[acadianbob]

I'll let you all know; but it may take 2 to 4 weeks depending on parts. Shineyside; not trying to scare you but ours made some popping noises too. I'm wondering if it was the screws breaking that hold the "face board" in place. We may be glad that we have the extended warranty!

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by MOD Guy

Let us know how it goes. I hope it's not someting too bad. I have not had any problems (fingers crossed) with the ceiling rollers or tracks. My issues were the rollers in the opening, but easy to fix.

Maybe the queen size is less stressed?

[MOD Guy]

Originally Posted by acadianbob

Maybe the queen size is less stressed?

I am not sure the slide out box on the king is any larger than the queen. From the ones I have looked at, it just has more of the mattress hanging inside the camper. Thats why the K is a little longer than the Q, and has the rear pass thru storage (its under the section of bed thats in the camper, not in the slide box). I wonder if they changed the top roller design from what mine is.

[acadianbob]

Well, they just called me and said that the upper tracks are cracked and that it needs new trolleys; AGAIN! This concerns me more than a little.

Anyone else having this issue with the 235?

[acadianbob]

Upper tracks all cracked. Upper trolleys damaged. Question is, why would this be so? Just replacing the parts doesn't do it for me. I'm going to want to know what caused it and to be convinced that it is not going to happen again.

[MOD Guy]

The metal ceiling tracks are cracked? If thats the case, they must be made out of some very weak metal. I wonder if the parts supplier is not meeting the mfg standard for these parts, trying to cut $.

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by MOD Guy

The metal ceiling tracks are cracked? If thats the case, they must be made out of some very weak metal. I wonder if the parts supplier is not meeting the mfg standard for these parts, trying to cut $.

Yes, the metal ceiling tracks are cracked! (where the screws attach them to the ceiling)

I wonder if this isn't all related to the board across the top of the slide being slanted outward toward the front of the trailer; not properly secured. Then putting a slant on the trolley; causing the trolley to wear and put undue strain on the track. Maybe?

[MOD Guy]

The trolley on each side of my slide out is secured to a metal plate that is screwed into the metal frame of the slide room unit. The only wood involved are the trim parts. So your trolley rollers are mounted to a wood part?

Mine looks like this:



All of this is hidden behind the wood trim around the bed opening.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by acadianbob

I'll let you all know; but it may take 2 to 4 weeks depending on parts. Shineyside; not trying to scare you but ours made some popping noises too. I'm wondering if it was the screws breaking that hold the "face board" in place. We may be glad that we have the extended warranty!

What warranty do you have that covers (5) years? Youroo!!

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by MOD Guy

The trolley on each side of my slide out is secured to a metal plate that is screwed into the metal frame of the slide room unit. The only wood involved are the trim parts. So your trolley rollers are mounted to a wood part?

Mine looks like this:



All of this is hidden behind the wood trim around the bed opening.

My old trolleys looked like yours. Yes, the trolley plate is fastened with screws that go right through the wood part. Wish I would have taken a picture to show you. I did take off all of the trim to give it a look.

[acadianbob]

4 weeks and still no parts shipped from Forest River to the dealer . . . .

[MOD Guy]

Not liking the sound of how this is going.......

[acadianbob]

Nope. Called the dealer who finally "supposed" that they could inquire with Forest River as to the status of parts. I'm concerned that they'll just put in new parts without really getting to the root of the problem.

[acadianbob]

Well, called the dealer AGAIN at the end of week 5.

THEM: "We're still waiting on parts. We'll call them"

ME: "You said you would call them last week"

THEM: "We'll check on it and call you back"

Well, they DID call me back. Turns out the parts have been sitting there at the dealer and apparently nobody was aware they were there. Sigh . . . .

[pdchristensen]

Although I have not had problems with my slide (VIBE 6504) yet, I plan on being somewhat pro-active in extending its life.

Our slide extends quite far out for a "double bunk" configuration. On our maiden voyage with the unit I noticed it did creak & groan a bit with both kids moving around in the 2 bunks. I plan on at least placing a couple of slide stabilizers on the outside to minimize the strain on the slide when fully extended.

[Road-King]

Originally Posted by pdchristensen

I plan on at least placing a couple of slide stabilizers on the outside to minimize the strain on the slide when fully extended.

Got my popcorn...

[acadianbob]

Hooray it is done! Only 6 weeks! But most importantly, I think the root cause of the problem has been addressed; which is board that the trolleys were hooked to that had come loose has been reinforced. New trolleys and new rails. But I don't think the trolleys and rails would have been a problem had the mounting board stayed put. So I hope that it is adequately anchored this time. Time will tell huh?

Just about time to winterize now . . . .