Slides sticking

[stiggy]

I have a 2018 Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite. I have noticed that when I retract my slides back in, it seems to only move on the bottom, tilting it (top of slide) out. It always has started with the bottom moving first then the top immediately after. Now it seems to be getting worse. Bottom goes for a few seconds then the top will follow. Is there a way to adjust the timing of the slides? One of the slides has recently not retracted without help from underneath the trailer. Someone has to assist the mechanism while someone is inside pushing the retract button.
Any help is appreciated.

[wheelin14]

Are the slides "through the frame" style? If so, under the slide there will be two rack and pinion gears tied together and a ram with a cork screw inside that does all the pushing and pulling. If this is your mechanism then it may just need a good lubrication. The other common style is Schwintek which has the mechanism on the sides. Please confirm style.

[stiggy]

Through the frame

[GolfingDave]

Is there a slide cover on it?
If so it could possibly hanging it up. Unusual noise that wasn't there before?
Mine was bent at an arm and it let loose. Don't recall the hanging up though but anything is possible.

[stiggy]

The slide doesn’t have a cover over it. No new unusual sounds either. I’ve just noticed that it seems like the bottom starts going and the top has to ( sounds like) in stick… It seemed like it was more is sequence last year. Bottom would start to retract and the top was following right away… I remember seeing an article about resetting the slides on a panel under the sink or in the bathroom closet. Has anyone else heard of this?

[GolfingDave]

Schwintek slides, those with the rail at the top and bottom on each side can be "calibrated/reset"
You say yours is a through the frame which leads me to believe it is a rack and pinion.
How about a youtube video of the delay?

[tomkatb]

Because of their being sort of fragile, slides need maintenance. Sort of same complaints from us. The final straw was the bedroom floor delaminated. Would not move. Took four guys to get it open for replacement.

We just had ours cleaned, lubricated, adjusted and seals repaired. Rv was a 2018 with likely 30,000 miles on them.

I pad professionals to do it.

We also had one floor replaced.

I sort of see the point of not having slides! But, it makes our CC 34RE awfully nice.

Modern rv’s are awfully complex.

[wheelin14]

Through the frame slides have trapezoidal shaped ends with the top narrower than the bottom. As a result, when moving the top touches first at the end of the stroke (either direction) and the bottom leaves first when a slide movement starts. This is how they seal up tight both in and out. I would expect OP’s slides to always move a few inches at the bottom before the top moves. If the slide mechanics have never been lubed since 2018, then it’s time for some. Although the Lippert manual says not to lube, Lippert service men do lube and the results for me have been amazing. Use only CRC Power Lube with PTFE spraying everything except the gear teeth and rack teeth—you don’t want the teeth attracting dirt. Wait a few minutes, and wipe off the excess with a rag. If the top continues like it is sticking rather than a smooth movement, then professional help may be needed. There are special lubricants for the rubber seals around a slide.

[5picker]

Our previous Flagstaff Classic Super-Lite had through frame slides as does our current Cedar Creek. All the slides work/moved as you describe. Bottom always moves first whether in/out and then the top.

As mentioned, if you have not ever lubed the racks and the slide seals, it is way past time.

Also if your Rockwood is like my Flagstaff was, the slide motor/gearbox has a clutch mechanism. If you hold the switch more than 1-2 clicks past full open/close, you are wearing the clutch. I helped replace the clutch mechanism on my cousins R/V because his DW would let the gearbox ratchet for 10 seconds after a full/open close. She kept saying "that's what the dealer said to do!" When the clutch wears, the slide may/may not move or finally catch hold after a few seconds of motor turning. It's hard for us to know exactly what your issue may be without being there.

[wheelin14]

I believe that Schwintek slides are supposed to be ratcheted 6 to 10 clicks to keep the two sides in sync. 5picker is correct, through the frame just 1 or 2. Uninformed dealer strikes again--shocking!

[NavyLCDR]

Originally Posted by wheelin14

I believe that Schwintek slides are supposed to be ratcheted 6 to 10 clicks to keep the two sides in sync. 5picker is correct, through the frame just 1 or 2. Uninformed dealer strikes again--shocking!

Schwintek slides don't ratchet - if you are referring to some type of clutch. They don't have clutches. The controller measures current which is an indication of torque and when current hits a certain value, the controller turns the motor off. If a Schwintek slide is making a ratcheting noise then it is the gear teeth in the H-Columns skipping over the gear rails and not good, not good at all.