HELP!! Does anyone know about bunkhouse slide mechanism

[tmmar]

The slide mechanism on my bunkhouse slide (390bh) broke. It is a cable controlled slide and the motor and gear box broke. I am stuck in Ocala, Fl and have a number of reservations made for our trip south and have relatives flying in that we need to meet on Sunday. I have tried calling Forest River but it seems that everything is closed due to the weather. I wanted to search the internet to see if anyone had the part in stock but not sure who makes the slide motor and gear box or the model number. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks

[simplyrwc]

You should have a speed wrench to open and close it manually.

[tmmar]

Gears are stripped and the gears just spin, making a grinding noise. Slide won't move in or out. Speed wrench does nothing.

[simplyrwc]

Sorry I'm not much more help after that.

[iceblaze580]

Have you tried any local dealers in the area to see if they have the part

[tmmar]

As usual, no one has the part in stock. They need to get it from FR.

[Phil57]

http://www.scribd.com/mobile/doc/37176344
Not sure but I think this is the slide. I'm on my phone and don't have the computer here.

[h20ski]

Is it a BAL product? ACCU Slide?

BAL - Innovative Products for the RV Industry

[iceblaze580]

Have you tried to put it in manually with some one pushing on the slide to get it in

[tmmar]

The mobile techs tried to manually push it in but for some reason couldn't. Phil/h2oski, that is the slide mechanism but it lists 3 different motors and not sure which one is in my coach. I am at a friends house in Ocala now and can't look to see which one it needs. Tried calling Bal and no one is there that can help me. Seems everyone, including FR, is shut down due to the weather. I guess I will try again in the morning.

[Campin Cajun]

Tom, mine broke right at the shaft from the motor. Sorry to say but it took my local dealer about two weeks to get the part in from FR. I hope yours gets fixed quicker than that.

[Phil57]

Tom I talked to Andy at FR to order parts and they were shutting down Monday at noon until at least Wednesday morning. Bad timing to say the least. If I can help give me a call. I think you have my cell. I can't see the slide mechanism with out taking stuff apart but will if you need the model number. I guess for now have another cocktail and it will all work out.

[tmmar]

Phil,
thanks for the offer but it is a pain to open the top of the bunk up to try and see the motor. I will try to get someone at FR tomorrow and see what happens. Hopefully they are open and they can overnight the part.

[Campin Cajun]

Tom I stood on my bed and looked through the crack at the top. I took pics with my iphone then enlarged them. That wood panel on top of the bunks does come off. I know because my dealer broke it when replacing my motor.

[silver]

Tmmar

I have had more than my share of experience with the cable slide on my Berk. I have always gotten my parts through Amazon within 24 hours. you will need to take things apart and verify everything that is needed. It might be a pain in the ***** but it has to come apart to be replaced anyway. I would also verify when apart that it is indeed the motor and not a cable that has come off the track and wound around the motor preventing the slid from moving. The symptoms you describe are the same. I know it has happened to me. Cable replacement kits are about $32 if one is broken. There are 8 cables total that work off one motor in a funny push pull arrangement 4 pull when coming in and 4 pull when coming out. If you have a tangled cable and can free it you could probably live safely with three in cables. If the repair person did not take it apart and get down to the problem I would not believe the bad motor diagnosis. Of course you are there and not me. Just my two cents and experience having the displeasure of working on several of these and fixing them.

[tmmar]

silver,
the slide has been noisy from day 1 but I just thought that it was due to the 'newness' of everything. I guess that I was wrong. Since it is under warranty, whether they replace the motor or not, I'm not paying for it. I just hope that I can get through to FR and get them to send me the parts that I need. I know what you mean because I replaced a cable on my '08 when one broke. It is a real pain.
Tom

[silver]

Another thought that will help in the future but not now. For those with a computer and USB port you can get a keyhole inspection camera on eBay for about $20. I have one with 50 meter of cable. It is great for looking at problems like this without taking things apart. Comes with the software.

[silver]

Tmmar

You have been there, You know what it is than. Someone who has not might not. Good luck. Remember after year one most of the production bugs are out and they are pretty good coaches. I found out I had one of the first 160 built when back at the factory this year. I have to say mine has been pretty good.

[dcheatwood]

I had to push my brother's in in October while he push the retract button. Took 2 of us but we got it in. Good luck.

[tmmar]

silver,
I think the '08 that I had was number 162 built. After some initial slide problems with the kitchen slide, it too was a pretty solid unit.
Tom