Advice needed for repairing Schwintek Kitchen Slide

[gordonsick]

Readers may recall my earlier post on strengthening the Schwintek mounting flange on the heavy kitchen slide of my Berk 34QS. I posted a summary of the problem and my solution at http://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...-slide-is-retracted-165728-2.html#post1880709

It turns out that the need for a stronger system for mounting the flange is a symptom of a larger problem, whereby this heavy slide is hard to operate. I’m now at the point where the slide is jammed and does not move. My son and I pushed hard while my wife held the close button, and the slide is not closed, but crooked.

With this post, I’m asking for advice on how to best get the unit repaired – mainly who can best do the repair. I left a phone message a month ago with the Berk people at Elkhart and have not received a response. When I was working on my earlier problem, I emailed them and they didn’t respond then. So, I’m hoping to get help from people in this Forum and then go back to FR, if appropriate, and ask more focussed questions, in the hope of getting answers.

I think it will help if I describe the symptoms, so that you don’t chase misleading issues, such as a blown fuse or circuit breaker.

Symptoms
• The centre part of the slide under the sink has gouged the floor, so we now put a 1/8” piece of plexiglass under it. This didn’t stop the slide from working, though.
• The heavy fridge end of the slide seems to be dragging recently, and the interior moulding on the fridge end jammed into the floor, so I had to remove it. This is only a recent problem, and I haven’t seen any floor gouges.
• The part under the fridge may be where my problem is. The fridge mount may have slipped lower somehow and started to drag the floor.
• The slide jams going out and coming in. It struggles throughout the full range of motion.
• The slide is currently “closed/retracted” but the fridge end on the bottom is not fully retracted. It is out about 1”, so the slide is skewed right now.
• Nothing else seems to be jamming the slide – no foreign debris visible from inside or outside, top or bottom
• The Schwintek gear rack is showing heavy signs of wear on the fridge end, but is not slipping.
• The Schwintek motors are working, but labouring heavily. They need a two-man push to move the slide.
• The problem occurs when the coach is level on the jacks, or sitting on the air suspension on a flat surface.

Finding a Qualified Repair Shop
I’ve put the motorhome in storage in Tucson, and have returned to Calgary for the winter (it only seems like I’m a crazy for a snowbird, but don’t judge my reasons!). I will pick up the MH in April. So, the question is how to find a qualified repair shop.
• Hopefully, it will be near Tucson, so I can enjoy the full use of my MH on the rest of my trip.
• But, I can go farther afield, and I’ve considered California, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas as reasonably close repair locations that won’t force me to drive through snow.
• If worse comes to worse, I could go back to Elkhart, IN, but I could hit snow if I do this in April.

Another question is verifying repair shop qualifications.
• Does it help to have a Berkshire repair shop to the work (because they can get factory support and advice).
• Or are there really good shops that can work well on anything?

So, I’d like your advice on the quality and qualifications of dealers that I might use.

In terms of specific shops, I’d like to hear of Forum participants’ repair experiences at the following list of Berkshire
• Lazy Days has a Tucson operation, but it doesn’t seem to handle Berks
• National Indoor RV Centers in Phoenix, Las Vegas and Dallas
• Dennis Dillon RV Orange County, CA https://www.ddrv.com
• Lazy Days RV in Loveland CO, Denver CO, Knoxville TN, Minneapolis MN, Tampa FL,
• Motorhome Specialist, Alvarado TX
• Longhorn RV, Mineola TX

Finally, please don’t hijack this thread with a side discussion of Berk build quality or slide design. I would really like to keep the focus on finding a qualified repair shop, with some hope of getting the repair done near Tucson.

–Gordon

 

[CZNEDY]

Gordon, we had the same issue with our kitchen slide. Here is the problem. The gear on the bottom track (fridge end) has jumped the track. Same on ours, gouged tile near the dinette. What we did to get the bottom in as far as possible was to place a piece of carpet upside down on the floor in front of the fridge to help lift that end when retracting. It won't go in all the way, but it won't be sticking out 3-4". That is only a temporary fix. The rest Ching of motors is not the fix. The entire "H" frame on that end needs replacement. It takes about 2-3 weeks to get the parts from lippert as they have to paint the frame the same color as your MOHO. You may have the 300:1 motors and if so, ask them to change them out to the 500:1 when they are fixing the slide. I have a troubleshooting guid and will try to attach it in a separate post. It is specifically for the "H" frame replacement.

 

[CZNEDY]

Here is the file on the "H" frame replacement

 

[Oscarvan]

Sorry to hear about all that.

1: I put plates under the slides where the rollers are in the hope of avoiding all these problems..... Sounds like somewhere in there you have either cracked into the bottom of the slide or there are rollers that have failed. https://dragonship.blog/slide-roller-plates/

2: I got the plates from FR. I called EVERY OTHER DAY and left messages for Mitch. I called other people and nicely asked if Mitch still worked there. (Randy) I sent emails EVERY THREE DAYS. It took FOUR MONTHS but I finally got what I needed.

If I were in your shoes I would remove all the trim to gain as much access and then figure out where the roller/floor problems are. Screw repair shops, they are useless.

At the end of the day all this is is a box on rollers with a few tracks with (small) motors...

 

[Brother Les]

Following this thread.

Have schwintek on my slides, never worked right on the main slide. Slide to big for the framing and motors. We love the RV, but the motors and set up for the main slide is a failure. Replaced everything that is replaceable. Removed slide, replaced all framing and motors with highest grade that is available. Did not seem to help with slide 'coming in'. Going 'out' is mostly fine.... 'coming it', all kinds of issues. Unit has to be as level as possible, front to back and side to side to use.


I feel for you. The 'schwintek' system should not be used on slides that are over 8 feet long. The motors and framing can not handle the weight and twisting torsion to move smoothly in and out.


If I had know about the schwintek slide system, we would not have bought an RV with that system.

 

[hvstorck]

Gordon,
I had same problem you describe with my 2016 34QS. I was told FR installed slide outside of Lippert tolerance (2 1/8 inch if I remember correctly), causing excessive wear on roller which failed and slide dropped. Repair was done in Aug. 2018 by Dennis Dillon which included everything CZNEDY mentioned above with 500:1 motors, new wiring and controller. Slide has worked flawlessly for five months and I was very happy with DDRV quality of repair. Cost was about $3,000.00 covered by insurance. BTW, wardrobe slide failed for same reason and has been repaired. Good luck!
Harvey

 

[MR.M]

I think your best bet is trying to work with FR / Berk and see if you can get it back to factory . they will need to remove the slide and replace the components . the Schwintek is a good system but not for kitchen slides /heavy slides . it's putting to much demand on a system that's not up to the task . winnebago has the same issues with their full wall kitchen slides that have the schwintek system . wrong slide mechanism for such large slides

 

[jimmoore13]

I'm RV shopping tomorrow. I've heard that schwintek slides are good for light-duty use...say a dinette on a smaller rig. Your experience gives me pause.
Is the schwintek up to the task for smaller, lighter slides?

 

[btritschler1437]

I had the same problem on our '43 Cedar Creek. The Forest River fix was to add three more rollers under the slide, change the motor to the 500:1.

This summer at the Int'l rally in Goshen I asked Forest River to put metal strips under the slides on our 2018 34QS. They did not want to put any under the Schwintek slides but did put a strip under the bed slide (driver side rear, electric slide). Our kitchen slide is not Schwintek but hydraulic.

CZNEDY when did you start having this problem. Before or after the rally.

I can not recommend Lazydays in Tampa. Amish Family RV in Ligonier, IN has a very good reputation. Phone 260-593-0951 Ext #1. Call him see what he suggests. Or you know that D. Dillion has worked on these units, in April you return to Tucson, drive over to Orange County and get it fixed.

 

[MR.M]

I'm RV shopping tomorrow. I've heard that schwintek slides are good for light-duty use...say a dinette on a smaller rig. Your experience gives me pause.
Is the schwintek up to the task for smaller, lighter slides?

The schwintek is fine for smaller slides such as dinette etc . but the large whole side kitchen slides it struggles .

 

[CZNEDY]

Ok, yes we had the exact same problem, so trust me. Our slide mechanism was replaced twice. Originally replaced by a forest dealer and they fumbled. We purchased a five year warranty with the rig and actually had the slide mechanism r placed by an independent dealer locally in Massachusetts. It is not a hard fix. Any Forest river dealer should be able to perform the replacement. Drop it off at the dealer of your choice, tell them what is wrong, have them order the new parts from Lippert/forest river and be prepared for a 30 day fix. You can't fix this your self. Refer to my first response. I have been through this twice.

 

[CZNEDY]

I had the same problem on our '43 Cedar Creek. The Forest River fix was to add three more rollers under the slide, change the motor to the 500:1.



This summer at the Int'l rally in Goshen I asked Forest River to put metal strips under the slides on our 2018 34QS. They did not want to put any under the Schwintek slides but did put a strip under the bed slide (driver side rear, electric slide). Our kitchen slide is not Schwintek but hydraulic.



CZNEDY when did you start having this problem. Before or after the rally.



I can not recommend Lazydays in Tampa. Amish Family RV in Ligonier, IN has a very good reputation. Phone 260-593-0951 Ext #1. Call him see what he suggests. Or you know that D. Dillion has worked on these units, in April you return to Tucson, drive over to Orange County and get it fixed.

If you have a hydrolick slide on the kitchen, then you don't have the schwintek slide on the kitchen, so you are good. This is specifically for the schwintek slide

 

[Oscarvan]

For the record, I have the Schwintek on my kitchen. (38A). It's not a light slide and (guessing from memory) 14-ish feet long. So far (knocks on genuine simulated wood) it has behaved. I do make sure I'm on the bags and not the levelers when I operate it as it moves noticeably easier like that. (Not trying to start THAT discussion again). I also have engine or generator/shorepower on line to make sure there's plenty of voltage for the motors.

This summer at the Int'l rally in Goshen I asked Forest River to put metal strips under the slides on our 2018 34QS. They did not want to put any under the Schwintek slides

Interesting. They sent me plates for mine, and on the phone told me that there was no problem bringing it up the 1/8" of the plate thickness. I put on the plates none too soon.... https://dragonship.blog/slide-roller-plates/

It doesn't matter how the slide is operated. What matters is what it sits on. Rollers need plates. Period. The bottoms of the slides are NOT strong enough to carry the weight supported by the relatively minuscule surface area of the rollers.

 

[Brother Les]

I'm RV shopping tomorrow. I've heard that schwintek slides are good for light-duty use...say a dinette on a smaller rig. Your experience gives me pause.
Is the schwintek up to the task for smaller, lighter slides?

Small slides only are ok (on mine, for now). I have a 43 foot Hemisphere. Smaller slide in the bunkhouse back area. It is 8-10 long and goes in and out with ease. The larger slide is over 15 feet and have always had trouble with it from day one and still do. Took four people to get it in for winterizing. One on the control button and three people pushing so it did not get 'hung up' or one motor get ahead of the other. The larger slide has a couch and dinner table and storage. Have had all of the hardware and motors up graded and still never wants to close correctly. FR and Schwintek did not help with any of the repairs or costs. I would never buy another RV with this type of slide on it (large or small). If asked, I would not recommend a RV with this type of slide. Yes, the small slide works fine, for now. There is NO easy way to manually push in either slide, if loss of motor(s) or power. I have driven many miles with a slide hanging out a foot, back to a Repair shop, because it would not go in.

 

[uralman]

Had similar issues with the kitchen slide on my 2015 34qs. Put roller plates on kitchen and living room slide.

 

[gordonsick]

Thanks to all who have contributed advice so far. It has been very valuable, and puts me much closer to a solution.

The discussion about the aluminum plates is very helpful and it is nice to know that Oscar was able to install them himself. I've got a couple of 20 ton jacks, so I think I can do what Oscar did. I was initially worried that I need a big crew to manage all of this. I had a good look at the material that rides on the rollers, and there is no damage there. None of the rollers are broken. But, the 1/8" lift of the plates is the simplest way to raise it. I could buy the aluminum stock myself to do it, but I would need to cut the material to the right length while away from my home shop. But, I could probably find a metal working shop in Tucson to do the cutting. If FR needs the dimensions before sending the aluminum, I can't start that process until I get back to Tucson in order to do my measuring.

I am concerned that I might have to replace the Schwintek rack. Thanks for the link to the Schwintek documentation. I didn't have it before. I'm not sure what gear ratio that I have – I've always assumed that it is the highest ratio available, but I could be wrong. Fixing the rack is not the first priority, however, and I think it can safely wait.

Thanks for the endorsement on Dennis Dillon RV for repairs. I can get there in aday and visit Disneyland while they work if I decide to farm the job out to them.

I'm still interested in any other constructive advice before I decide what to do. It will certainly help me with my call to FR.

–Gordon

 

[gordonsick]

Gordon,
I had same problem you describe with my 2016 34QS. I was told FR installed slide outside of Lippert tolerance (2 1/8 inch if I remember correctly), causing excessive wear on roller which failed and slide dropped.
[snip]
Harvey

Harvey or anybody else,
How do I take this measurement of 2 1/2" +/- 1/8"? This seems to be in Figures 3 and 4 of the Schwintek repair manual that was posted elsewhere in this thread. But, I can't figure out what I am looking at for this. Figure 4 suggests that the Gear Rack is behind, but it runs vertically in the picture, rather than horizontally. Also, is the column that they reference the h-column? Mine has square faces, but they show round faces. What is the plane of the picture that they are showing: the coach wall of the side wall of the slide?

Thanks for any clarification.
–Gordon

 

[gordonsick]

Lazy Days in Tucson

I've been in touch with Randy Alwine at FR, and he has been very helpful. He thinks that aluminum plates could help.

But, he also suggested that I could have a damaged roller under the fridge end of the slide. My earlier examination didn't find any, but I didn't look really hard. He showed me a picture of where to cut out the floor below the fridge to get at the roller. I guess I'd need an aluminum plate after that to hold the fridge up when the slide is extended.

I think I'll try to get some parts before hand from him, but I'm reluctant to move the fridge and do the repair myself. I also think that the upper and lower Schwintek racks are out of sync, and that requires removing them to re-sync.

So, I'm wondering about suitable RV repair shops. Lazy Days Tucson seems to be the only repair shop in Tucson that I can find to handle something big like this. It also has a campground beside it that I can use while getting service.

Has anybody had good or bad experience with service at Lazy Days in Tucson? Yelp has mixed reviews on their sales process, but some positive reviews of their service.

Are there any other dealers in the Tucson are that you would recommend for service on Schwintek slides?

–Gordon

 

[Igave]

We had an issue with our large slideout, it was hydraulic rather than yours. It was looked at by three different repair places/services previously but not fixed. Got worse. We stayed at the rv Park next door (which we liked and will again). We took our coach to lazy days in Tucson next door, it was a week before we could get it in, but they were very thorough and found that the plastic skid plates had not been installed from the factory. The slide had major issues coming in over the edge of the floor. They fabricated new ones, properly adjusted the slide, and followed up with us later. We were off warranty by all this but both the service writer and FR treated us very fairly and well. It was a pretty major job. They kept our coach plugged in while they worked on it, and we took the coach back to our rv spot the night of the first day (took two days. Very busy place. I cannot remember the service writers name but she was great to deal with. At least for us and the one time we used them it worked out well for us.

 

[gordonsick]

Igave,
Thanks for that endorsement. It is very useful.

–Gordon