Slide stuck - Reflection 260RD (150 Series)

[Soundsailor]

I also took the free Lippert online training for the slide learning that the installation tolerances are extremely tight.

installation of a Vroom slide.

Yes, I've done that Lippert course also, a great investment of a few hours, I learned so much.

We live in New Hampshire so a trip to Tuscon isn't too practical. I'm glad to hear your Vroom installation met your needs.

 

[Butcher]

And if the gears/aluminum track are worn, that would be a clear indication that the slide is too hard to move. The other option is that you slide the room too often.

 

[Soundsailor]

Update
OK, so my mobile tech has diagnosed and fixed the issue.

As you can see from the above image, the bearing blocks and the shoes for both the top and bottom of the affected side are worn. The spur gears were also replaced although not as heavily worn. The slide now works as well as new, possibly even better as it was noisy right from the start. My mobile tech recommended regular lubrication with CRC Power Lube Industrial High-Performance Lubricant With PTFE to keep the slide mechanism working smoothly.

 

[Butcher]

I do not know what Lippert/GD expects those components to last and I do not know how many times you used it, but that seems like a lot of wear for something that appears to be too new. If this new set last longer, maybe there was an adjustment that was not good enough.

I still believe the Schwintek idea is not bad, it's just working too hard. Either more robust components or an easier way to slide the room in/out.

Keep us updated if it acts up again.

 

[TimtheToolMan]

CRC Power Lube will allow slide to move easier especially when first applied on clean parts, but it is very much a dirt magnet. Teflon in the name gives the false impression that it is a dry lubricant, but it is very oily. Run a search on this forum for more specifics.

Many years ago, Lippert recommended mentioned CRC and there were and still are videos floating around saying to use it. If you look at current Schwintek documentation it is no longer recommended, and no lubricant is to be used. Keep the parts very clean, even with no lube, including removing dust.

Due to the tight tolerances on some parts, some very small amount of dirt buildup, especially on lubricated surfaces, will cause slide to work harder than with no lube.

There are a number of owners that like the CRC, due to the easy initial sliding and will swear by it. It is very tempting to use if the slide is working excessively hard to move but this is not fixing the root cause. If all lubricated surfaces are thoroughly cleaned monthly(?) in addition to any time there is a small amount of blowing dust, who knows, CRC Power Lube might work out fine.

These Schwintek slides can work well for many years with no issues, at least on moderate size slides. In my estimation the key issues are:

• Poor initial installation (slide may work well initially until it doesn't)
• Owners not holding extend/retract button awhile after slide stops
• Owners not doing a FULL syc now and then and any time there is a hint that slide is not moving evenly (both sides together). (run a search to explain this very easy/quick procedure)
• Not cleaning rack and slot on a regular basis.
• Using lubricants.
• Stopping slide part way. This is OK if a full sync is done afterwards.
• Slide hitting objects either inside RV or on outside.
• Improper and lack of customer and dealer training
• I'm sure there are more that could be added.

I personally got burned by poor initial installation that was found after a lot of use during the first year of ownership. After a proper fix, I have used slide a lot (not a full timer though) with no issues now for five years. Schwintek system is not working hard to move, based on the sounds but I have not measured the current and likely should for a baseline, if slide starts to struggle in the future.

I agree with Butcher that the slide should be more robust.