Schwintek, Schwintek, Schwintek

[nomad297]

I am so glad my RV doesn’t have any slides with the Schwintek system.

Is it just me, or do others notice how many people have problems with this system? I do realize that people are probably only going to post about them when they are having a problem with them, so maybe my opinion is skewed because of this — maybe they are better than any other system out there and maybe they are in more RVs than I thought, so they are spoken about on forums so much more than other systems because of this.

It just seems to me that there are a lot of problems with them when compared to the older, more simple systems. Are they something to be avoided when considering purchasing a new RV? They just seem to me like a problem waiting to happen.

Bruce

[whirledpeaz]

I agree with you. If I were buying I wouldn't want one. I think "Rube Goldberg" when I see one. Maybe they would be better in a park model trailer but not going up and down our highways

[GL1800Rider]

If you know how to operate them they are not a problem. The do work more reliably on a small slide. I have had my current rig more than 5 years and it is more quiet than my living room LCI slide

[NMWildcat]

I agree. These Schwintek type slides have caused too many problems for my friends that have them. They all have become experts at removing panels to expose the motors/controllers and wiring to repair/resynch them.
But good luck finding a new RV that doesn't use them at all! Not very many.
What we have found, is that most of the problems come from using Schwintek for a large or heavy slide. So as long as it is a small, lighter slide, they seem to work fine.
We have seen many RVs that do just this, only employ Schwintek on the small (bedroom mainly) slides.
So our next RV will probably have Schwintek on a small slide, as it is very hard to find one that we want that doesn't use Schwintek at all.
Why they are being used at all, I don't understand. Not a good solution, too complex, finicky, and unreliable. Must be related to cost.

[KyDan]

My schwintek slide is 40" deep and 7' wide. When it was less than a year old one of the motor sensors went out and I had to override the board each time I needed it in or out. Thanks to FRF members here who tipped me on how to do that! It saved a 4 week FL winter trip!
Dealer changed the motor and it's been 6 years and hundreds of cycles later and no problems.
Big slides are a problem for all kinds of mechanisms. We see posts here all the time RE: Help! My slide is gouging my floor!!
But hey, I have China tires and original wheel bearings, I've been known to use WalMart brand synthetic oil (gasp) and I even cut the tags off my pillows and mattresses! I'm a real rebel.... YMMV.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by KyDan

My schwintek slide is 40" deep and 7' wide. When it was less than a year old one of the motor sensors went out and I had to override the board each time I needed it in or out. Thanks to FRF members here who tipped me on how to do that! It saved a 4 week FL winter trip!
Dealer changed the motor and it's been 6 years and hundreds of cycles later and no problems.
Big slides are a problem for all kinds of mechanisms. We see posts here all the time RE: Help! My slide is gouging my floor!!
But hey, I have China tires and original wheel bearings, I've been known to use WalMart brand synthetic oil (gasp) and I even cut the tags off my pillows and mattresses! I'm a real rebel.... YMMV.

Lol ! bout blew my coffee on the screen, you are a rebel . Our 2007 Jayco (single motor) not an issue and sold in 2017. Only had Cherokee from 2017 till end of June 2020. 3 Hydraulic slides on a single switch. Switch blew out, but never had any issues with the Hydraulics.

[comfun1]

I had a toyhauler with a Schwintek slide that failed. The best part about them is they are cheap and easy to fix. Also lots of youtube info on repairs. I carried a spare motor assembly I bought on ebay for less than $50.

[Brother Les]

Our next unit will not have a schwintek. Curse the day we bought this unit with it.

[BehindBars]

If we want to bash RV systems poor quality, we can talk all day. I’m glad I don’t have (fill in the blank).

We have the Schwintek system and have had no problems. We were careful not to buy a unit with a full wall slide, as we believe that can be more troublesome. I learned about the system and carry the service manual with me in case of future failures.

If you want to see what fun you can have with another type of slide system, go over to the Dynamax forum. At least the Schwintek supports both the top and bottom of the slide, and they can’t tip out on the highway. https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...me-212980.html

[WoodLark-SC]

Originally Posted by comfun1

I had a toyhauler with a Schwintek slide that failed. The best part about them is they are cheap and easy to fix. Also lots of youtube info on repairs. I carried a spare motor assembly I bought on ebay for less than $50.

QUESTION: Do all Schwinteks use the same motor assmebly? I would like pick up a spare.

[KyDan]

I believe there are 2 different gear ratios. Something about the color to tell them apart.

[nomad297]

Originally Posted by BehindBars

If we want to bash RV systems poor quality, we can talk all day.

Yes, we could. However, this thread is about Schwintek slide systems.

Bruce

[MR.M]

The biggest problem with the Schwintech slides

1. used in too large a slide works better in the small dinette/ wardrobe slides

2 on the larger slides they went to a 500 to 1 motor that helped and added an extra track and gear up top

3. the number one issue is install of the system and slide built correctly to fit correctly in the opening . many problems I have seen come from the motor working loose and spinning twisting the wires up and breaking . Of course you get a bad motor or two as with any slide
So a lot of issues with these is from install at the factory not the slide system it's self


4 Not the worst slide mechanism try the accu slide . cable operated POS with bad motors gear boxes cables . in all this is the worst of them why they would use 500 yr old tech pulleys and cables to operate slides in 2020 is beyond me .



My schwintech has been with out problem since day one and for the last 6 yrs . are there better you bet .

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by WoodLark-SC

QUESTION: Do all Schwinteks use the same motor assmebly? I would like pick up a spare.

300 to 1 motor and a 500 to 1 motor . only the big slide get the 500 to 1 except the older units when they first came out after some failures they went to the 5000 to 1 . you can hear the difference between the motors

[ng2951]

...do others notice how many people have problems with this system? I do realize that people are probably only going to post about them when they are having a problem with them...It just seems to me that there are a lot of problems with them when compared to the older, more simple systems. Are they something to be avoided when considering purchasing a new RV? They just seem to me like a problem waiting to happen.

I think there is a lot of confusion over proper maintenance. A number of people think you do not lube the system, but Lippert recommends lubing the bearing and gibbs once or twice a year as well as the seals.

I think some people have confused Lippert telling users not to lube the racks. The the rollers ride in the tracks on the racks. Some service faciities are concerned that lube will attract dust and debris into the racks, that might damage the rollers. However, these components are not the bearing and gibbs that benefit from lubrication.

The bearings and gibbs should be lubed with CRC Power Lube with PTFE. The seals are lubed with a product for seals that also aids in reducing drag of the seals on the slides.

You should note that a number of expensive class As use Schwinteks. If they were really problem children I would not expect those Schwinteks on those machines.

On my Imagine 2800BH I had my slideout not fully retracting and constantly have to resync the slide. After lubing the bearing and gibb using the procedure provided by Lippert, the slide started functioning correctly.

Some service techs say the Schwintek is fine in the right applications. For the heaviest applications they prefer the hydralic systems.