2023 Reflection 260RD Slideout

[Peshtigo]

I'm new to the site, new to the world of RV travel, and so new to Grand Design. We've owned our 2023 260RD since April of '24 and love it so far. As I read these forums and others on the internet, I'm apparently supposed to lay awake nights worrying if our slide will fail the next time I activate it. At first I assumed our rig had a Schwintek slide (just based on the frequency of mention in the Slide Systems thread, but it looks like that's not the case. My equipment documentation doesn't have anything identifying the slide system, but it looks to me like it's Lippert's embedded rack design. Can anybody else with a new 260RD verify that or correct me? I'd like to download the right manual to know what I'm looking at so I can do the correct preventive maintenance, etc.

 

[Soundsailor]

It looks like this is your first post, welcome to the forum. Your best bet to find out which slide mechanism you have, is to reach out to GD customer service with your VIN. BTW, we have a 260RD also, no problem with the slide.

 

[Riverbug]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I have yet to be in a campground where there's a tech replacing slide mechanisms. Not to say people don't have issues because obviously they do. But it's like anything...of the number of them out there how many experience a problem in a given period of time. I see lots of RV's in the campground we're in now. Lots of slides are out and nobody has tools out working on them. If a problem arises, you'll deal with it when the time comes like any other problem that might spring up and surprise you. Until then, it doesn't much matter to think about it, although a bit of prep is always good. Knowing what slide you have and how to put it in if it breaks while extended would not be a bad thing.

 

[Peshtigo]

It looks like this is your first post, welcome to the forum. Your best bet to find out which slide mechanism you have, is to reach out to GD customer service with your VIN. BTW, we have a 260RD also, no problem with the slide.

Thanks much. Good idea to reach out to GD & will do so. I should have done that first (or my dealer of course) but I was spending a few hours reading and enjoying the forum so I guess I got lazy. Thanks again!

 

[NB Canada]

Quite sure they changed mid year so depending on when yours was built it could have either
If there are tooth like tracks on the top and bottom of the sides of the slide it is a Schwintek
If it has smooth sides it is rack and pinion

 

[Peshtigo]

I wouldn't worry too much about it. I have yet to be in a campground where there's a tech replacing slide mechanisms. Not to say people don't have issues because obviously they do. But it's like anything...of the number of them out there how many experience a problem in a given period of time. I see lots of RV's in the campground we're in now. Lots of slides are out and nobody has tools out working on them. If a problem arises, you'll deal with it when the time comes like any other problem that might spring up and surprise you. Until then, it doesn't much matter to think about it, although a bit of prep is always good. Knowing what slide you have and how to put it in if it breaks while extended would not be a bad thing.

Thanks for the insights and advice.
As you might have already guessed, being a newbie I'm spending too much time shadow boxing. As an aside, I see that you installed the SeeLevel tank monitoring system. One of the things both my wife and I find annoying is the mind numbing inaccuracy of the tank monitors (not to mention that they only measure in 1/3 increments, to boot.) We haven't done any trips that were long enough for this to be an issue, nor have we spent enough time in the field to develop a good sense for the Kentucky windage needed to compensate, so just curious if you've found the upgrade to be worthwhile.

 

[Peshtigo]

Quite sure they changed mid year so depending on when yours was built it could have either
If there are tooth like tracks on the top and bottom of the sides of the slide it is a Schwintek
If it has smooth sides it is rack and pinion

Thanks. Perfect description for me. Rack & pinion it is.

 

[Peshtigo]

Thanks to all. This is a great forum.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Thanks. Perfect description for me. Rack & pinion it is.

Not to be too much of a pedant, but the Schwintec is also a rack and pinion design. The difference, of course, is the rack is mounted on the side of the slides.

 

[Riverbug]

Thanks for the insights and advice.
As you might have already guessed, being a newbie I'm spending too much time shadow boxing. As an aside, I see that you installed the SeeLevel tank monitoring system. One of the things both my wife and I find annoying is the mind numbing inaccuracy of the tank monitors (not to mention that they only measure in 1/3 increments, to boot.) We haven't done any trips that were long enough for this to be an issue, nor have we spent enough time in the field to develop a good sense for the Kentucky windage needed to compensate, so just curious if you've found the upgrade to be worthwhile.

OMGosh yes, the SeeLevel sensors were a great upgrade. Not the easiest install by any means because we have 4 tanks strewn across the bottom of the frame so pretty much all of the belly needs to come down. However, I did it while I had it down to install wiring for solar panels and the rest of the off-grid system. The level sensors show tank levels in % in small increments. it's great to know where we really are at. I used a flow meter to note how many gallons it takes to get the fresh water to register 5%, 20%, 40%, etc. This helps when we want to travel with a partial tank or when we're boondocking and getting low. I also added heat pads to each tank while I was at it. If you plan to do various projects like that, I strongly suggest doing it all at once. I don't enjoy removing and installing the Coraplast. And I don't like taking it back down after I've re-sealed everything.

 

[Grandesigner]

A pic of it would have helped at the beginning...lol

 

[bobmerriken]

I have the 2021 260RD. The slide failed on our rig and had to be replaced. It was a Schwintek slide system and was replaced with a Schwintek system. We used to open our rig up to get to the bathroom when stopping for lunch, etc. Sometimes the rig was not level. We will no longer do that. We will now only open the slide after the rig has been leveled.
In researching this issue, it appears that there was a problem with one of the Schwintek systems installed by Grand Design. I am not sure if the problem system is what we had, but the replacement system was not the one with the problem according to pictures I believe I located on this forum.

 

[SteverinoDC1]

I have the 2021 260RD. The slide failed on our rig and had to be replaced. It was a Schwintek slide system and was replaced with a Schwintek system. We used to open our rig up to get to the bathroom when stopping for lunch, etc. Sometimes the rig was not level. We will no longer do that. We will now only open the slide after the rig has been leveled.
In researching this issue, it appears that there was a problem with one of the Schwintek systems installed by Grand Design. I am not sure if the problem system is what we had, but the replacement system was not the one with the problem according to pictures I believe I located on this forum.

I have a 2022 260RD and also had my Schwintek slide system replaced by another Schwintek slide system. The failed system was an inverted system, and the replaced one was a standard system. They are pretty much the same except for the design of the "shoe" that the slide glides on. I took Lippert's "school" that they offer to customers on their website. It was pretty informative and gave depth of insight to their slide system. They have a bunch of other classes on a variety of systems within your rig.

 

[Barotrauma Bruce]

Good information all

I have a 2022 260RD and also had my Schwintek slide system replaced by another Schwintek slide system. The failed system was an inverted system, and the replaced one was a standard system. They are pretty much the same except for the design of the "shoe" that the slide glides on. I took Lippert's "school" that they offer to customers on their website. It was pretty informative and gave depth of insight to their slide system. They have a bunch of other classes on a variety of systems within your rig.

We had our 260RD 1- year and 5-weeks…when the slide wouldn’t come out, then after I got it out could only get it within 3-inches of going all the way in. And, we were a long ways from anywhere. Some research indicated that my Schwintek system was manufactured by Lippert 2 days before a 4 month recall took effect. What changed? Nobody would tell me. Contacting GD I was hoping to maybe buy the parts for their cost. They went many better than that. Problems seemed to lie in the “inverted” system. They went back to an earlier iteration. Agreed to let me do the work replacing the mechanisms. Expedited the freight. Provided complete mechanisms as received from Lippert for both sides. Now, the slide always made more noise (clicking and popping?) than my previous experience with Schwintek mechanisms. But, when I was disassembling things I realized that the rear mechanism was racked about 1” different top to bottom: not square or parallel. Hmm. This component is installed by GD as an assembly. Would they even bother to check something provided by a trusted vendor? Did this have anything to do with the recall? Knock on wood, it’s been 2 years and countless ins and outs, and except for an occasional re-timing, the only noise you hear are the 2 motors. I believe in Grand Design, Lippert and this Schwintek system.

 

[SteverinoDC1]

We had our 260RD 1- year and 5-weeks…when the slide wouldn’t come out, then after I got it out could only get it within 3-inches of going all the way in. And, we were a long ways from anywhere. Some research indicated that my Schwintek system was manufactured by Lippert 2 days before a 4 month recall took effect. What changed? Nobody would tell me. Contacting GD I was hoping to maybe buy the parts for their cost. They went many better than that. Problems seemed to lie in the “inverted” system. They went back to an earlier iteration. Agreed to let me do the work replacing the mechanisms. Expedited the freight. Provided complete mechanisms as received from Lippert for both sides. Now, the slide always made more noise (clicking and popping?) than my previous experience with Schwintek mechanisms. But, when I was disassembling things I realized that the rear mechanism was racked about 1” different top to bottom: not square or parallel. Hmm. This component is installed by GD as an assembly. Would they even bother to check something provided by a trusted vendor? Did this have anything to do with the recall? Knock on wood, it’s been 2 years and countless ins and outs, and except for an occasional re-timing, the only noise you hear are the 2 motors. I believe in Grand Design, Lippert and this Schwintek system.

I was as far away as I could be when my slide mechanism failed. It was still hanging out 6 inches and would go in no further. I was lucky to have phone service and called my RV dealer. The service department helped talk me though manually retracting the slide. Long story short we were 1 month shy of the recall date. I called Lippert customer service and had the rep listen to my slide grinding, popping, and creaking. He gave me a warranty claim number. I called GD and they decided to send me a new slide. My warranty company paid for the labor to remove the inverted system and put in the new standard system. I am quite pleased with GD, Lippert. The old system always made noise and was never "square" when extended or retracted. I don't believe the factory people checked their work before shipping my trailer out. The new slide is robust and sounds like it is on steroids compared to the original. Our system is new enough that I haven't had to re-time it yet. Happy camping, glad you have some peace of mind!!