Slide out on my Isata 3 would not retrack (two days in a row)

pgeraghty · 02-28-2023, 08:04 PM

I have my 2016 Isata 3 about 5 years, and the only real complaint I have had is the slide out. I have the 24FWM model, with the Power Gear Slim Rack slide out controls.

Yesterday when I was packing up to leave my site, the slide out would not retrack. I put it in manual mode and it still would not retrack, I could hear the motors "bump" and the panel flashed green, but no movement. I have new shore batteries and ran the generator for a while I tried. I then called Lippert and they gave me a couple of ideas, nothing worked. My TRV neighbor saw me struggling, and suggested that he would get under the slide out lift his back up to lift the slide out. Two other people pushed and - the slide out came in.

The next day I set up the RV with the slide side (drivers side) purposely higher to "help" the slide go in. When I went to retract it, same problem. I got RV neighbors to help the same way (one lift from underneath and 2 push), and it went in. In both cases, the slide went out fine, it only caused a problem when I try to retract it.

I called Lippert and they suggested that I check the rollers underneath the slide out to see if they are cracked or damaged. I checked, didn't see any cracks or broken rollers, but honestly do not know what condition could cause this problem. And I do not know what the square plates that are fastened to the bottom are for.

Attached are some pics of the underside of the slide out, please look at them and let me know if they are part of my problem.

Thanks -
Pat Geraghty

**bclemens** · 02-28-2023, 09:53 PM

The square plates are where seat belt bolts come through....they are not near a roller, so would not be an issue. However, if you look at the rollers, they are black, which tells me the slide seal got caught in the roller...if that happens, it is not going anywhere. Might need new rollers...and the motor just might not have anything left.

pgeraghty · 02-28-2023, 10:57 PM

Thanks for the quick response, Brian.

Yes, it looks like the seal is torn where some of the rollers are (you can see it if you look closely at the photos).

Would it help to cut the torn sections back and clean the rollers and the bottom of the slide out where it's been blackened?

My wife and I are traveling in Florida for the next few weeks, then heading back to Minnesota. We are in the St Petersburg area now, if we can find rollers I can replace them if it's no too difficult. The rv shops are pretty backed up around here.

Patrick Geraghty

**bclemens** · 03-01-2023, 08:41 AM

Getting the slide seal out of the rollers would be step one. Then it just depends if there was any long term damage to the motors.

pgeraghty · 03-01-2023, 02:31 PM

Hi Brian - I ordered new rollers from Mark in your parts department and should get them on Friday. Can you help me with a couple of questions?

1. I went under the slide out when it was fully extended to get a closer look at the rollers. I could rotate one the middle rollers with my thumb, should I consider shimming the bracket up when I install that new roller? I could not rotate any of the other rollers.

2. Is there a best way to slightly lift the slide out to get the old rollers out/new ones in? I will be doing the work at my campsite.

3. Is it OK to just remove the roller shaft and not the entire bracket when replacing the rollers? It is a simple bolt/nut removal, easy to get at.

4. Any other suggestions?

Patrick

kenandterry · 03-01-2023, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgeraghty

Hi Brian - I ordered new rollers from Mark in your parts department and should get them on Friday. Can you help me with a couple of questions?

1. I went under the slide out when it was fully extended to get a closer look at the rollers. I could rotate one the middle rollers with my thumb, should I consider shimming the bracket up when I install that new roller? I could not rotate any of the other rollers.

2. Is there a best way to slightly lift the slide out to get the old rollers out/new ones in? I will be doing the work at my campsite.

3. Is it OK to just remove the roller shaft and not the entire bracket when replacing the rollers? It is a simple bolt/nut removal, easy to get at.

4. Any other suggestions?

Patrick

Dynamax lets you order direct from the factory?

pgeraghty · 03-01-2023, 06:57 PM

I talked to Lippert (the slide company) about the issues I was having. Told them I was looking at replacing the rollers, they said that was a good idea and recommended I work with Dynamax to get the correct roller.

I called Mark in the parts department at Dynamax, he was veery helpful. Remember my RV is 6 years old - well he had the correct rollers in stock and said he could ship them today for Friday delivery to a state park I was at. Great service!

**bclemens** · 03-02-2023, 01:47 PM

I'm still not sure you need new rollers.

If you get the rubber out of the roller, that should free it up. If the slide still does not want to come in...it may be something more.

Our guys will typically use a floor jack for the slides. They have a 2x6 or something similar run horizonal across the bottom of the slide room. THey then have a vertical box made of wood, and just jack up from the middle about 1".

**bclemens** · 03-02-2023, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenandterry

Dynamax lets you order direct from the factory?

Membership has its privileges

pgeraghty · 03-03-2023, 08:25 AM

Brian - I have been able to move the slideout in and out (without manual assist) since I first posted this. It's always moved, but has been unpredictable.

Yesterday, I cleaned up the rollers some, and cut out some of the torn seal near the rollers. The slide out moved in (although the controls were a little funky). We moved to a new site and the slide out went back out without manual assist or other issues.

We're moving again this morning (campsites are rare down in Florida right now!). Will finish cleaning and removing any torn seal and see what happens when I bring it in!

Patrick Geraghty

**bclemens** · 03-03-2023, 12:52 PM

Maybe the seal caught in the roller was in fact the root cause...by lifting it up, maybe it freed it and now that you have cut it out, you're good to go.

I would also make sure you have charging voltage if you can get it (plugged in first), the motors just work better the higher the voltage.

pgeraghty · 03-03-2023, 03:07 PM

I'll keep an eye on the voltage, that's for sure.

The slide out went in when we moved to our new campsite (the controls are a little mixed up, but it came in), and it came out with no problems when we set up at the new site.

One question on the slide out seal, not sure how important it is so my question is what's the downside if I cut it off all the way across?

Patrick Geraghty

**bclemens** · 03-03-2023, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgeraghty

I'll keep an eye on the voltage, that's for sure.

The slide out went in when we moved to our new campsite (the controls are a little mixed up, but it came in), and it came out with no problems when we set up at the new site.

One question on the slide out seal, not sure how important it is so my question is what's the downside if I cut it off all the way across?

Patrick Geraghty

Heat/cold/bugs getting in.

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