On the road with a Shwinteck slide problem

[Bruce M]

We’re out on our nat. parks tour, in New Mexico now and heading to Grand Canyon tomorrow. We’re from NYS so my dealer is not going to be of any help.
The slide started bucking and popping and now sticks out on the bottom about 1,1/2” from the top.
I’m afraid to open it again but it closes of my sons bedroom and most access to the fridge
I do have a copy of the tsb for the “inverted “ slide racks and I do have those on this rig, my 5th wheel 278 BH was built 4/2022.
I need to get this issue resolved, who do you think I should contact first ? GD, Lippert?
I noticed in another thread there is a GD rally in Kanab Utah. I will be in Williams, Az 5/12- 5/18 then Bryce Canyon from 5/18- 5/28.
Are these GD rallies something that GD has mechanics to work on issues such as this.
Thanks for any help with this situation and I appreciate any links or phone numbers as I only have access to the internet through my phone, no laptop or computer.

 

[50ST8R]

I would contact both Lippert and GD and get a control number logging the problem in. You may want to check if there are any mobile techs in the area you plan to be in. GD and Lippert may be able to help identify possible techs in the area. Another resource for mobile techs is RVTAA which is the national RV tech training and certifying center. Typically techs at the rallies are there for recall and emergency items for those actually registered for the rally. They are great workers but often have more work to be done than what they can accomplish.

 

[NB Canada]

Try to operate it with the jacks up and see if it works better. Just ensure it is level side to side and just have the front stabs down

Perhaps your auto level is racking the frame

 

[Bruce M]

Just opened a claim with GD today, talked to a wonderful lady named Ty.
Very helpful in getting that stuff set up and sending me information.
Unfortunately, from my description of what is going on she believes the whole works needs to be replaced and the e lead time on the parts is about 10 days to 2 weeks. Also it would need to be done at dealership or an authorized repair facility.
As I am 1 month into a 3 month road trip with 11 more campsites to slide in and out of(pun intended). I decided I’m going to roll the dice and get it repaired when at home.
With the slide in it blocks off my son’s bedroom and will have about 6-7” to open the fridge, not ideal but doable, we’ve dealt with worse conditions.
I am not going to foul up all the planning for this trip for an inconvenience of a broken slide, my son can handle the table bed, I’d not there’s always a tent if he so chooses?
I think I will try and help the slide in by pushing on it at the bottom while my wife pushes the button.
It hasn’t totally failed YET but I expect it to do so when it’s a down pour and we need to get on the road.. I do have good rain gear at least.

 

[50ST8R]

I think I would go ahead and contact your dealer and give him the information from GD and schedule now for when you get home. We sometimes have to figure out how to be the most flexible with family trips don't we? Good luck on the rest of your trip and getting it fixed. Post an update so we can know how it goes.

 

[Bruce M]

Yes I think I will contact my dealer at this point and get something going and parts ordered possibly, but not sure if that can happen without anyone from GD actually setting eyes on the subject, none the less it’s time to get them in the loop.

 

[JCR GD]

Call Lippert Tech. They are usually very helpful and may be able to give you some tips to get by until it can be fixed at a shop.

 

[Grandesigner]

If it will be replaced under warranty, then do so by all means. If not, don't settle for another schwintek mistake and go with Vroom instead. Much better quality for sure.

 

[Soundsailor]

Yes I think I will contact my dealer at this point and get something going and parts ordered possibly, but not sure if that can happen without anyone from GD actually setting eyes on the subject, none the less it’s time to get them in the loop.

You could email GD some photos if they need to see the issue. As others have mentioned, get the ball rolling with your dealer ASAP, it will be a long process anyway.

 

[NB Canada]

Have you tried doing what I suggested to see if it helps?

 

[Bruce M]

No I have not tried yet, I’m breaking down tomorrow morning for our next move.
I’m thinking maybe I’ll try tonight in case there’s a problem I can work on it and not have to drive after beating my head against the wall first thing in the morning.
I think I first want to try and help it in and when that doesn’t work I’ll probably take your suggestion but to be honest I’m a little skeptical.
The reason for the skepticism is that when it’s on its jacks the trailer is level and therefore so should the slide in relation to the frame.
If I drop the rear jacks wouldn’t that make the frame uneven (the ground my trailer is on is I level by 3” left to right).
Just the way I’m thinking but I certainly could be off base.
What do you think in those regards.

And I do appreciate all suggestions, it’s very helpful to bounce things off of others instead of living in a bubble.

 

[NB Canada]

No I have not tried yet, I’m breaking down tomorrow morning for our next move.
I’m thinking maybe I’ll try tonight in case there’s a problem I can work on it and not have to drive after beating my head against the wall first thing in the morning.
I think I first want to try and help it in and when that doesn’t work I’ll probably take your suggestion but to be honest I’m a little skeptical.
The reason for the skepticism is that when it’s on its jacks the trailer is level and therefore so should the slide in relation to the frame.
If I drop the rear jacks wouldn’t that make the frame uneven (the ground my trailer is on is I level by 3” left to right).
Just the way I’m thinking but I certainly could be off base.
What do you think in those regards.

And I do appreciate all suggestions, it’s very helpful to bounce things off of others instead of living in a bubble.

So you are using the leveling system solely to level the trailer?
If there is a three inch difference from side to side that is a lot imo.
A theory of mine is that the auto level is twisting the frame and body on lighter framed Reflection
When the slide was installed and tested at the factory they would have had it only on its tires and front support
I personally would have either lowered the high side by digging the tires in on that side and driving onto blocks on the low side. Or a combination of both to get the trailer level side to side
Maybe once on the road you can find a flat level parking lot and test it out while it is still on the truck and see if it operates better
Did the issues just start or has it been like this for awhile?

 

[Bruce M]

No, I am pre leveling with those ramp type levelers, I just failed to realize that part of my procedure when I was thinking about lifting the jacks before retracting the slide, my mistake and sorry for the confusion.
Now my concern has been dispelled I will try your method the next time I retract the slide.
I will let you know how it goes in this thread.

 

[Bruce M]

Well I’ve determined swinteck slides suck, it finally wet the bed.
Out here in Washington state 3500 some odd miles away from home this is it for my slide out.
https://i.postimg.cc/nh0mQtPc/IMG-1746.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/xTLy8hQc/IMG-1747.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/fW9YqpJB/IMG-1748.jpg

 

[Bruce M]

Btw the camper was purchased in November 2022 and the slides were manufactured in 3/28/22 so it’s both out of warranty and doesn’t fall into the tsb time frame. So the repair cost all fall on me.
Screw you lippert for manufacturing such a piece of garbage slide system and screw you GD for not standing behind your product with a known defect.
At this point I’m probably going to fix it and dump it to go with something completely different from completely different companies.
Just another unsatisfied costumer to be ignored I guess in their eyes.

 

[nprario]

Sorry for your issue's with the slide. I assume you pushed it up the ladder at both Lippert and GD? Since your in WA. state maybe give RVWORKS a call. He does mobile repair and has done quite a few videos on Schwintek repairs and depending on where your at Darren might be able to assist you.

 

[dryfly]

Well I’ve determined swinteck slides suck, it finally wet the bed.
Out here in Washington state 3500 some odd miles away from home this is it for my slide out.

Did that happen on extend or retract?

 

[Bruce M]

Sorry for your issue's with the slide. I assume you pushed it up the ladder at both Lippert and GD? Since your in WA. state maybe give RVWORKS a call. He does mobile repair and has done quite a few videos on Schwintek repairs and depending on where your at Darren might be able to assist you.

I appreciate the advice and I have watched his vids on the subject.
At this point I’m on the back side of a 3 month tour heading to glacier national park tomorrow so the slide is in, the trailer is moveable and usable, I’m not going to allow this to ruin what is/was a great trip so far.
So I lost access to my son’s room, he can sleep on the dinette, and can only open the fridge about 6”, we’ll make do.
I was probably a little upset and blowing off some steam. I’ll get the parts and fix it when I get home, decide on things from there.
[MENTION=19847]dryfly[/MENTION]
This happened on extension it was going out fine’ish and then it just gave way. The box dropped down like a bowling ball, thought the whole slide was going to drop out of the opening.

I jacked up the slide with donage (it did a crap load of poppping and screaming) then had the wife push the button while I pushed got it past mid point and it went back in from there.

 

[Bruce M]

Update;
We finished out our trip with the limitations that were dealt us and we had a great trip thereon after.
Got back and talked to Ron Hooven(Service Manager for G.D.) to discuss the issue, he suggested that he would put the claim into Lippert but didn't expect a good outcome and that we'll see what Lippert says and take it from there.

Lippert did deny the warranty claim in an email the next day. A Day after that Ron sent me an offer to replace the slide parts, and it's up to me for the install/labor.
Very generous offer from Grand Design and Ron to try and make things right, at least right in my(the customer) mind. I had the unit for 1,1/2 years so out of warranty and I missed that cutoff date for the TSB by 2 months, but still it was the inverted type and In My OPINION a flawed design, proof of flawed design is the subsequent revisions to that design.

Today those parts came, we'll probably be replacing it on Monday or sometime next week anyway. Got all the materials in possession for the work to be done and it''s time to get it fixed and get down to the Jersey Shore for some more camping, so says my wife.

Anyway just wanted to post a resolution to my issues with my unit and share my experience with Grand Design costumer service, A+++.