2024 25DBE - AnyThoughts?

[Sad Duck]

I'm about to purchase an Imagine XLS 25DBE. It seems to be a really good compromise on space since it has both the sofa and the U-shaped dinette without it being inside a super slide. There's not a ton of kitchen prep space but there are folding prep areas so that helps a lot. All in all, I think it's a good all-around solution for what I'm looking for.

All that said, I've heard a lot about the Schwintek slide system and the amount of problems that exist. I downloaded the 2024 Imagine manual and it discusses both rack and pinion and Schwintek slide systems. The Schwintek is discussed as being a bedroom slide. Can anyone confirm if the slide in the 25DBE is a rack and pinion or Schwintek slide? That's the biggest thing holding me back.

Is there anything else I should be looking at either feature or safety wise with the 25DBE? The solar package is kind of lacking, but I can always upgrade/modify that later on.

 

[huntr70]

The 25DBE has a Schwintek slide system.

 

[Second Chance]

Thread moved to New To RV'ing, Purchase Questions & General Concerns.

Rob

 

[Sad Duck]

The 25DBE has a Schwintek slide system.

Where did you find this information? I've been looking and can't seem to find it. The sales guy told me it didn't have the Schwintek (he's a sales guy) and the manual, as I said before, mentions both systems. Thanks for your help.

 

[Second Chance]

Where did you find this information? I've been looking and can't seem to find it. The sales guy told me it didn't have the Schwintek (he's a sales guy) and the manual, as I said before, mentions both systems. Thanks for your help.

He's the inventory manager at a Grand Design dealership.

Rob

 

[huntr70]

Where did you find this information? I've been looking and can't seem to find it. The sales guy told me it didn't have the Schwintek (he's a sales guy) and the manual, as I said before, mentions both systems. Thanks for your help.

You can easily look up inventory pictures online and see that it has the Schwintek rack on the side.

 

[Sad Duck]

He's the inventory manager at a Grand Design dealership.

Rob

Sounds like a good source then! Thanks!

You can easily look up inventory pictures online and see that it has the Schwintek rack on the side.

This is helpful, thank you!

Unfortunately this is going to be a deal breaker. Too many threads on here and elsewhere discussing all of the issues with Schwintek slides to make me want to take the risk. I'm not sure that Grand Design has another floor plan that is similar to this without the Schwintek slides.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Sounds like a good source then! Thanks!

This is helpful, thank you!

Unfortunately this is going to be a deal breaker. Too many threads on here and elsewhere discussing all of the issues with Schwintek slides to make me want to take the risk. I'm not sure that Grand Design has another floor plan that is similar to this without the Schwintek slides.

JMO, but I wouldn't let a bedroom Schwintek slide put me off a floorplan I liked. I'm a bit more uncertain about the other slides. But don't forget you never hear about the Schwintek slides that work fine, like ours, people just don't post about stuff that works well. I'm not an advocate of the Schwintek system, but I don't think they all are going to fail.

 

[Second Chance]

Sounds like a good source then! Thanks!

This is helpful, thank you!

Unfortunately this is going to be a deal breaker. Too many threads on here and elsewhere discussing all of the issues with Schwintek slides to make me want to take the risk. I'm not sure that Grand Design has another floor plan that is similar to this without the Schwintek slides.

We have been full-time for nine years with Schwintek bed slides (two RVs) with zero issues. You'll find they are common on most brands. I wouldn't throw the baby out with the bath water.

Rob

 

[Sad Duck]

JMO, but I wouldn't let a bedroom Schwintek slide put me off a floorplan I liked. I'm a bit more uncertain about the other slides. But don't forget you never hear about the Schwintek slides that work fine, like ours, people just don't post about stuff that works well. I'm not an advocate of the Schwintek system, but I don't think they all are going to fail.

We have been full-time for nine years with Schwintek bed slides (two RVs) with zero issues. You'll find they are common on most brands. I wouldn't throw the baby out with the bath water.

Rob

I appreciate the feedback. The slide is the U-shaped dinette, pantry, and fridge. My understanding is that if it was a bedroom slide then the Schwintek wouldn't be a problem since Schwinteks work fine on smaller slides. This is a pretty decent sized slide, however. I'm not sure I'd call it a "super slide" but it's close.

 

[NB Canada]

Sounds like a good source then! Thanks!

This is helpful, thank you!

Unfortunately this is going to be a deal breaker. Too many threads on here and elsewhere discussing all of the issues with Schwintek slides to make me want to take the risk. I'm not sure that Grand Design has another floor plan that is similar to this without the Schwintek slides.

You are just hearing the loud ones

There literally are hundred and hundreds of thousands of Schwintek systems working flawlessly like mine has
I wouldn’t hesitate to get another

I wouldn’t listen to most on forums about their issues including tires. Most issues if not all are the fault of the user

 

[Sad Duck]

While the 25DBE was a deal breaker, I found the 24BSE which also meets the items I'm looking for. It doesn't have a bunkhouse but the "mega dinette" will convert into a bed easily and is long enough for a normal person to sleep on. The dinette would still have to be made into a bed, but I suppose that's an easy enough trade-off.

The slides are Schwintek slides, but they are small enough to where they shouldn't have the same issues as the larger slides. Unless this model is known to have issues, then it seems like it could work.

 

[Xlsmle]

With Schwintek u need to follow advice on keeping the switch on when opening and closing for about 5 seconds after its closed or fully extended to maintain the sync. Most people have problems when it gets out of sync. Our 22mle has a slideout that only extends like 2 ft or less so the weight is not being extended on the mechanism very far. Slideouts that extend way out there with lots of weight are not recommended with Schwintek.

 

[NB Canada]

Slideouts that extend way out there with lots of weight are not recommended with Schwintek.

Where did you read this

I have a full depth slide with a u shaped dinette and Dometic fridge and have never had an issue in 4 years

 

[Xlsmle]

Just google slide out mechanisms and u will see that when discussing the different ones out there some are built for heavy loads and schwintek is for lighter loads that are not extended way out there. I didnt see this info in just one article, its pretty prevalent in articles covering slide mechanisms.

 

[lorend]

While the 25DBE was a deal breaker, I found the 24BSE which also meets the items I'm looking for. It doesn't have a bunkhouse but the "mega dinette" will convert into a bed easily and is long enough for a normal person to sleep on. The dinette would still have to be made into a bed, but I suppose that's an easy enough trade-off.

The slides are Schwintek slides, but they are small enough to where they shouldn't have the same issues as the larger slides. Unless this model is known to have issues, then it seems like it could work.

I have a 2019 5'er with the large Schwintek slide. Fridge, stove, microwave, tv and fireplace all in the slide and it has always worked well for us. I always read reviews with a little skepticism built in. The truth is usually someplace in the middle of the those that hate the system and those that love the system. It also seems like those with problems are the most vocal.

 

[Sad Duck]

With Schwintek u need to follow advice on keeping the switch on when opening and closing for about 5 seconds after its closed or fully extended to maintain the sync. Most people have problems when it gets out of sync. Our 22mle has a slideout that only extends like 2 ft or less so the weight is not being extended on the mechanism very far. Slideouts that extend way out there with lots of weight are not recommended with Schwintek.

I'm curious why Grand Design continues to use Schwintek knowing there are problems with larger slides and heavier weights.

I've read about the 5 seconds after slide extension/retraction to help keep the motors in sync. Good to know, but a better slide system could alleviate the issues. Also not helpful that the sales guy told me the 25DBE didn't have a Schwintek when it very clearly does.

I have a 2019 5'er with the large Schwintek slide. Fridge, stove, microwave, tv and fireplace all in the slide and it has always worked well for us. I always read reviews with a little skepticism built in. The truth is usually someplace in the middle of the those that hate the system and those that love the system. It also seems like those with problems are the most vocal.

I don't disagree with this but that doesn't mean the problems aren't real. Just searching Google shows that Schwinteks across the board have a lot of problems regardless of manufacturer. Switching to the Vroom slide system seems to work well for many but that's quite an added expense considering most people don't keep their RVs forever.

 

[NB Canada]

I'm curious why Grand Design continues to use Schwintek knowing there are problems with larger slides and heavier weights.

I've read about the 5 seconds after slide extension/retraction to help keep the motors in sync. Good to know, but a better slide system could alleviate the issues. Also not helpful that the sales guy told me the 25DBE didn't have a Schwintek when it very clearly does.

I don't disagree with this but that doesn't mean the problems aren't real. Just searching Google shows that Schwinteks across the board have a lot of problems regardless of manufacturer. Switching to the Vroom slide system seems to work well for many but that's quite an added expense considering most people don't keep their RVs forever.

It there isn’t “a lot” of problems
There are exponentially more happy people than unhappy and the other types of slides fail as well

Do as you like but to not buy something that you like because of what could happen well…..

 

[Soundsailor]

Another happy owner with a Schwinteck slide.

 

[Sad Duck]

It there isn’t “a lot” of problems
There are exponentially more happy people than unhappy and the other types of slides fail as well

Do as you like but to not buy something that you like because of what could happen well…..

Anything could happen with any RV. It's more about whether the risk is worth it knowing that this particular system is known to have issues. I could buy it and never have a single issue or I could buy it and it break on the first trip. That's a risk with any RV, to be sure.

Another happy owner with a Schwinteck slide.

Awesome! I have no doubt that there are tons of people out there who don't have issues.