Schwintec Slide- Lube or not?

[USMC AV8B]

Hey all,
Watched a U-tube vid from Lippert Corp on the proper way to lubricate the schwintec slide system.
https://youtu.be/8KbVRFMo1Rg

Hope that link works!

How many of you lubricate your slides? Recommendations?
I read a comment on another Schwintec video where the comment was that you should not lubricate at all?
What’s your thoughts?

[revjeffrey]

I keep my slide
side walls super slick and clean with Pledge. This keeps the rubber seals from causing friction opening and closing. I do also keep tracks really clean. Never had an issue.

[Thor-Machine]

I use an aerosol spray wax on the seals, the sides of the box, & on the tracks. I just give a light spray & walk away. No buildup. Nothing to collect dirt or dust like oil based lubricants or silicone.
I reapply whenever I wax the coach as I use the same wax on the entire coach.

[Fish and Dear]

Originally Posted by USMC AV8B

Hey all,
Watched a U-tube vid from Lippert Corp on the proper way to lubricate the schwintec slide system.
https://youtu.be/8KbVRFMo1Rg

Hope that link works!

How many of you lubricate your slides? Recommendations?
I read a comment on another Schwintec video where the comment was that you should not lubricate at all?
What’s your thoughts?

Are you asking if what he demonstrates in the video should be done? Absolutely YES!!

And the seals need a shot of a good silicone spray that doesn't attract dirt. Both these things should be regular maintenance items.

I looked at enough used rigs to be able to tell the difference when someone had not lubricated slides properly. I would guess over half the issues people have with slides stems from lack of maintenance. I have a full wall slide with 3Trax. Takes less than 10 min to fully inspect, lubricate tracks and all seals, run it in and out twice, and reinspect.

[Fish and Dear]

Originally Posted by Thor-Machine

I use an aerosol spray wax on the seals, the sides of the box, & on the tracks. I just give a light spray & walk away. No buildup. Nothing to collect dirt or dust like oil based lubricants or silicone.
I reapply whenever I wax the coach as I use the same wax on the entire coach.

What wax do you use?

[Fish and Dear]

Originally Posted by revjeffrey

I keep my slide
side walls super slick and clean with Pledge. This keeps the rubber seals from causing friction opening and closing. I do also keep tracks really clean. Never had an issue.

Hadn't thought of Pledge. Nice lemony scent inside, too, I bet

[JamieGeek]

Early on Lippert/Schwintek recommended that you do not lubricate the slide (grease, oil, etc. can attract dirt which would get caught up in the gears/rack).

Then they produced that video above about lubrication.

Then they went back to recommending not to lubricate (this was the last I've heard).

I've done the above procedure on our slide once in the 5 years we've had the coach. So far the slide operates without a hitch. Granted the slide on our 24.1 is a tiny thing compared to many other Thor coaches.

[USMC AV8B]

Yes, my question was more on the lube of the mechanism as shown in the video.

I’ve always waxed the side panels on my previous RV’s and did use dry lube on the mechanism rails. This was on two different TT’s and a Fifth.
Those slide mechs were diff than the schwintec on my vegas.

I like the pledge Idea on the exterior panels!
I can assure you first hand that furniture polish is very slippery!
When I was a kid one of my siblings somehow got some on the linoleum floor of our kitchen right in front of the door.
I was trucking into kitchen and immediately slipped and went down so quickly I had no chance to use my (then) athletic prowess to recover! Lol!

Thanks for the replies everyone!
Such a great group of people here!
Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable Summer RV season!

[hondavalk]

As a mechanic I always question why you wouldn't want to lubricate moving parts. After a couple years my slide was getting a little noisy and not as smooth as it once was. After seeing that very video I followed that exact procedure and the slide operation returned to like new operation.

[Thor-Machine]

Originally Posted by Fish and Dear

What wax do you use?

I use Eagle One Wax As U Dry AEROSOL, not the pump sprayer.
I buy it by the case from Pep Boys through their Ebay store. Free S&H.


I haven't found anything I like better. I use it on my entire fleet. Just can't beat the simplicity & ease. Spray it on, wipe it around with a microfiber cloth & you're done.
I also use it as a dry wax cleaner between vehicle washes. Bugs just rinse off the rig with a garden hose.

Couple that with ZEP high gloss floor wax & your rig will look showroom new all the time.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by hondavalk

As a mechanic I always question why you wouldn't want to lubricate moving parts. After a couple years my slide was getting a little noisy and not as smooth as it once was. After seeing that very video I followed that exact procedure and the slide operation returned to like new operation.

Perhaps because if it's capable of catching dirt and road debris: it will find a way to do so?

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Perhaps because if it's capable of catching dirt and road debris: it will find a way to do so?

I have not studied the subject - I tend to be of the “if it moves, lube it” school of thinking - but have been told that Schwintek has updated their position and no longer recommends lubrication.

[Bob Denman]

It does present itself as a bit of conundrum; doesn't it?

[IdahoPoes]

Originally Posted by USMC AV8B

Hey all,
Watched a U-tube vid from Lippert Corp on the proper way to lubricate the schwintec slide system.
https://youtu.be/8KbVRFMo1Rg

Hope that link works!

How many of you lubricate your slides? Recommendations?
I read a comment on another Schwintec video where the comment was that you should not lubricate at all?
What’s your thoughts?

I use the same lube they specify in the vid and lube them regularly. I have not had any issues with the 3Trak system on my Super C. I would strongly suggest you lube yours per the LCI recommendation.


Marshall

[Budman]

Originally Posted by Thor-Machine

I use Eagle One Wax As U Dry AEROSOL, not the pump sprayer.
I buy it by the case from Pep Boys through their Ebay store. Free S&H.


I haven't found anything I like better. I use it on my entire fleet. Just can't beat the simplicity & ease. Spray it on, wipe it around with a microfiber cloth & you're done.
I also use it as a dry wax cleaner between vehicle washes. Bugs just rinse off the rig with a garden hose.

Couple that with ZEP high gloss floor wax & your rig will look showroom new all the time.

Is the aerosol still available? can't find anything on Google search? Thx, Dennis.

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by Budman

Is the aerosol still available? can't find anything on Google search? Thx, Dennis.

Amazon -CRC 03044 Dry PTFE lubricating Spray

[Budman]

Originally Posted by Beau388

Amazon -CRC 03044 Dry PTFE lubricating Spray

Thanks and I have some of that. The other post was about the Eagle One Spray as U Dry AEROSOL mentioned in that gentlemen's post. I only find the pump spray and no aerosol. Thx Dennis.

[rudyhehn]

I had my slide repaired at the Lippert repair center. The tech recommended no lubricant is best.

[Dabobo]

How often should you lube the slides? Is it after so many uses or a time thing like every 3 months ? Thanks!!

[SANDDOG]

OMG What a great thread question. I silicon spray all rubber and use Baby powder after it dries for the slide part of the rubber only, super slippery. I use lithium white grease spray for the tracks part of the slide.