Using A Mobile Tech For Slide Repair?

Fivecodys

Senior Member
RV LIFE Pro
Joined
Feb 19, 2008
Messages
650
Location
Central California
Hi guys!
I am having a severe popping issue on my kitchen Schwintek slide. It really shakes the trailer wall when this happens. It sounds like the gear is hopping over the pattern on the rail. I am seeing some metal grit appearing.
I called my dealer's service department and they are back logged until April 2025. I was considering contacting a mobile RV Tech to have them take a look at it.
We are at home now so it is not an emergency. While I make most of my own repairs, this is not something I am comfortable ripping in to.
What are your thoughts on using a mobile tech for slide repairs? I'm sure it won't be cheap but I'd like to get this fixed a little sooner than April. :rolleyes:
 
What did you end up finding and what needs replacing?
As reported in a different thread, my slide made loud noises and got stuck. I thought it might be under the slide room but the tech found some issues with the track and gear (Schwinteck slide). Fortunately, we're not looking at a total replacement, just a few parts.

One thing he did that I would never have thought of but worked: when the slide didn't want to go out he applied short bursts of the motor. This allowed him to "inch" the slide out, preventing it from getting stuck.
 
With a previous rig (not Grand Design), we used mobile techs twice, once to install a slide topper awning, at home (needs two people for sure), once on the road in Colorado to replace a slide gearbox; good experience both times.
We had some difficulty getting a dealer to release the slide parts - they'd rather keep them for their own work.
Major advantage for the mobile tech: I could watch them do the work, see what was involved, did the work myself the next time.
 
If you are handy, take the Lippert online training class. It does show in detail on what it will take to remove/diagnose the system. We all have our limitations and those that know them are usually better off.

There are plenty of YouTube videos that show how it's also done and what problems others have had.
 
If you are handy, take the Lippert online training class. It does show in detail on what it will take to remove/diagnose the system. We all have our limitations and those that know them are usually better off.

There are plenty of YouTube videos that show how it's also done and what problems others have had.
One issue I deal with is space. I store my trailer on the side of the house and I do not have enough room to extend the slide unless I pull it out into the street. This has its own issues especially if the slide needs to remain extended for any length of time. I live on a very busy street. Up until this current issue, I have been able to do all my repairs without extending the kitchen slide.

I wish I knew someone who had a secure spot I could use but no such luck. I will check out the class you mentioned. Any knowledge I can add to what I already have learned is always a good thing.
Thanks!
 
Hi guys!
I am having a severe popping issue on my kitchen Schwintek slide. It really shakes the trailer wall when this happens. It sounds like the gear is hopping over the pattern on the rail. I am seeing some metal grit appearing.
I called my dealer's service department and they are back logged until April 2025. I was considering contacting a mobile RV Tech to have them take a look at it.
We are at home now so it is not an emergency. While I make most of my own repairs, this is not something I am comfortable ripping in to.
What are your thoughts on using a mobile tech for slide repairs? I'm sure it won't be cheap but I'd like to get this fixed a little sooner than April. :rolleyes:
I am having a problem with my slide in bunk room
Schwintek is out of time, and can’t get it back.
Seems one motor slow then ok.
Any thoughts?
We’re on the road till the 29th 3 more stops.
It rips off the trim by hitting windo w in back room.
Only a 1/2 inch clearance when it’s running normal.
Thanks
 
I am having a problem with my slide in bunk room
Schwintek is out of time, and can’t get it back.
Seems one motor slow then ok.
Any thoughts?
We’re on the road till the 29th 3 more stops.
It rips off the trim by hitting windo w in back room.
Only a 1/2 inch clearance when it’s running normal.
Thanks
Sounds like it may be out of sync. I looked thru some other threads and found were somebody had a tech resync there slide. There method was run the slide all the way in, then run it out 6 inches, then back in and hold the "in" button for 5 seconds. Repeat this 4 or 5 times and it may resync the motors.
 
Sounds like it may be out of sync. I looked thru some other threads and found were somebody had a tech resync there slide. There method was run the slide all the way in, then run it out 6 inches, then back in and hold the "in" button for 5 seconds. Repeat this 4 or 5 times and it may resync the motors.
Yes,
I tried that, I looked at the utube video from factory.
It didn’t help
 
@Fivecodys A qualified mobile tech should be able to make any required repairs to the slide but they will most likely need to fully extend the slide at some point to get to the screws in the rails. Sometimes you can get to them from the inside but that can be very difficult.

When you pull the “H” column, you have to support the slide from the bottom - especially since it is the kitchen slide which is very heavy. I have done this a couple of times on bedroom slides which are much lighter.

This isn’t something I would ever attempt on the street (if the slide is on the street side) just in case they need to order parts. The last time I pulled an “H” column to repair a problem similar to yours, I found a stripped gear and a broken shoe. It took almost a week to get the parts.
 
As reported in a different thread, my slide made loud noises and got stuck. I thought it might be under the slide room but the tech found some issues with the track and gear (Schwinteck slide). Fortunately, we're not looking at a total replacement, just a few parts.
@Soundsailor
I don’t think I saw your post regarding your slide. Did you check to see if it falls under the timeframe when they were building defective systems? My 2022 Reflection 303RLS bedroom slide is one of the defective units but hasn’t broken yet.

I tried to upload the latest TSB but it seems to be too large to attach.
 
@Soundsailor
I don’t think I saw your post regarding your slide. Did you check to see if it falls under the timeframe when they were building defective systems? My 2022 Reflection 303RLS bedroom slide is one of the defective units but hasn’t broken yet.

I tried to upload the latest TSB but it seems to be too large to attach.
Thank for the reply. My trailer is a 2020 and falls before the latest TSB.
 
As reported in a different thread, my slide made loud noises and got stuck. I thought it might be under the slide room but the tech found some issues with the track and gear (Schwinteck slide). Fortunately, we're not looking at a total replacement, just a few parts.

One thing he did that I would never have thought of but worked: when the slide didn't want to go out he applied short bursts of the motor. This allowed him to "inch" the slide out, preventing it from getting stuck.
Final resolution for my issue wasn't too painful, see my post at Slide stuck - Reflection 260RD (150 Series)
 
Well after a few days, in a local repair facility, I'm back up and going.
A Class RV in Fresno was able to repair the slide. One motor had broken loose from its mount and the gear was slipping badly. It chewed up the slide rail to the point that it needed to be replaced. They also replaced the gear as it had worn quite a bit. It's working again and sounds like it's old self.
I'm good to go until the next time it fails. I'm not a fan of this design at all. I have watched a couple videos on the Vroom system and that might be a way to go if you have a pocket full of money.
Thanks to all for the comments and suggestions.

Safe travels!
 
Yes,
I tried that, I looked at the utube video from factory.
It didn’t help
Update on my slide problems.
I found the controller by calling grand design customer service.
Owen was a great guy and walked me thru the process.
We ended up having to the in two inches out …
Then 4 inches
Then 12”
18” and so on until the slide motors started and stopped at the same time.
The controller was next to inverter on door side of basement.
All good for now.
Thanks for everything
 

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