Schwintek LCI Wall Slide and Bunk Issues Opinion

[reminckv]

The question about the pressure on the walls is interesting but keep in mind that the motor and gear drive system are mounted to those walls. I also think of it more in terms of adding 2 additional support points vs. taking 100% of the load off the gears. Valid points though. Thanks for all of the posts. It is obvious that there isn’t a consensus on the benefits of locks on these full wall slides and that’s what I wanted to know when I started the thread. I'm still of the opinion that they will prove beneficial over time, but again, it's just my opinion

[Elite Washington]

Definitely true that the motor is in the wall and that has the pressure. I thought which could be way off is that would just break and give way like I would like to think it would be designed to do. But who knows there is a reason why I didn’t build my own and had to buy mine as a kit. Very valid points it would be interesting to see what an engineer or designer said

[howzball]

Our Palazzo with a full side slide came with one slide lock as well, we purchased it used but barely. The man who walked us through it at purchase told us Thor recommended not driving a unit with a full side slide without at least one lock on it so I've just always locked ours down before we take off.

Oddly enough, now that I think about it the one end I've always locked down... directly behind the driver's seat is the only motor I haven't had an issue with on the thing. Maybe just coincidence...?

I cut a piece of wood to carry with us in case we ever had a motor fail again to use in back. I learned a lesson the hard way, no motor means no lock either unless you have another means. Scary thought to imagine that entire slide coming out while driving around a turn due to no motor lock.
Unlikely as it might be.

[JoeDS]

Originally Posted by howzball

Our Palazzo with a full side slide came with one slide lock as well, we purchased it used but barely. The man who walked us through it at purchase told us Thor recommended not driving a unit with a full side slide without at least one lock on it so I've just always locked ours down before we take off.

Oddly enough, now that I think about it the one end I've always locked down... directly behind the driver's seat is the only motor I haven't had an issue with on the thing. Maybe just coincidence...?

I cut a piece of wood to carry with us in case we ever had a motor fail again to use in back. I learned a lesson the hard way, no motor means no lock either unless you have another means. Scary thought to imagine that entire slide coming out while driving around a turn due to no motor lock.
Unlikely as it might be.

WOW. Good thought on lost motor concept

[Jimbo56]

Originally Posted by reminckv

Thanks for your reply duckface. With as many problems as we see, I am surprised that others haven't chimed in. Maybe I was way too wordy.

I still wonder how many problems could be avoided if owners would lock their full wall slides and drop the bunk on the pins?

I’ve been dropping the bunk on the pins. What is a slide lock. Pictures and link to find would be appreciated.

Everything you guys have said makes sense. My old 5 er had hydraulic mechanical slides. This thing has some little rack & pinion system. Anything to help reduce stress on what already seems undersized seems helpful.

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by Jimbo56

I’ve been dropping the bunk on the pins. What is a slide lock. Pictures and link to find would be appreciated.

Everything you guys have said makes sense. My old 5 er had hydraulic mechanical slides. This thing has some little rack & pinion system. Anything to help reduce stress on what already seems undersized seems helpful.

The few times I have forgotten to install the bunk pins, the bunk's right side drops down and wedges the bunk. It is a two person task to get the bunk back up where the motors can be synced.

[howzball]

Originally Posted by Jimbo56

I’ve been dropping the bunk on the pins. What is a slide lock. Pictures and link to find would be appreciated.

Everything you guys have said makes sense. My old 5 er had hydraulic mechanical slides. This thing has some little rack & pinion system. Anything to help reduce stress on what already seems undersized seems helpful.

Here's the link I found. https://bit.ly/3keYSXP

Either I didn't search the correct term for this or Camping World just doesn't sell them.
Obviously you can only use one of these if you can access the end of your slide once it's retracted. You have to have some room to screw it out once it's in place.

[Jimbo56]

Originally Posted by howzball

Here's the link I found. https://bit.ly/3keYSXP

Either I didn't search the correct term for this or Camping World just doesn't sell them.
Obviously you can only use one of these if you can access the end of your slide once it's retracted. You have to have some room to screw it out once it's in place.

Thank you!

[halfprice]

Originally Posted by Campnjoe

That is super interesting to hear. Where were they located?

As to the discussion, on my 29m I always have a little movement and when we get to where we are going I run the slide in and hold before I extend it. Also when I am about to retract, I extend and hold just before. This is in the manual.

During my pdi I found them in the cabinet above the sofa. The guy doing the walk through said i was lucky to have two. Most come with only one. My guess someone grabbed the extra from another mh

I attached one behind the drivers seat. The other above the slide in the bedroom

Jerry

[halfprice]

Originally Posted by Beau388

The few times I have forgotten to install the bunk pins, the bunk's right side drops down and wedges the bunk. It is a two person task to get the bunk back up where the motors can be synced.

That happened to me once when the pin popped out before I lowered it to the pin. I raised the bed just enough to get the remaining oin out. Then lowered all the way down. Then did the resinc procedure until they both line up

Jerry

[Dudupatty]

Thanks for the tip.

We own a 34J with the full slide and the bunk.

I have noticed that the bunk would come down on one side a little bit.

I just need to figure it out where are the nitro so I can keep them lines.

Great post!

[TLeenhouts]

I'm very lucky that I cannot have a problem with my slide motors getting messed up because My slides are hydraulic. The same pump that extends the leveling legs runs a cylinder that pushes out and pulls in. I don't know if anyone still uses those things but they are super simple and there is only one cylinder per slide.

[rincon2k]

I too am always worry with my full wall slide in my Hurricane 34R. My question is as we get ready for a trip, we load the fridge with food, the drawers with and closets with clothes, the Washer/Dryer closet is full of food and cans. It's a bunch of extra wight. The scwhintek motors don't seem to care about the extra weight.... but i really don't know....

[MLP]

Originally Posted by Beau388

My one slide lock came in the Thor black bag with the wheel simulator wrench, the charger for the Rapid Camp remote and the manuals for all the installed appliances plus Thor MC's operations manual. During the PDI the delivery tech took time to explain a summary of what was in each manual and demonstrated how each device worked.

The backside of the slide's decorative surround is a 2x6 affixed to the slides true wall with four 8" long steel L brackets. The coach's wall that surrounds the slide opening has an embedded 1 inch square aluminum tubing (two tubes if the slide is over 10 feet in length). A doubt a single slide lock would cause any damage to the decorative surround or coach unless it is left in and you try to open the slide.

If you ever get to tour a Thor MC factory, a lot of the questions presented in this thread would be answered by the tour guide or seeing just how your coach is assembled.

I wonder if that 1 inch square aluminum tubing is reffered to as the columns. I had my slide gear tracks strip and the dealer replaced them among replacing the entire slide frame that is supposed to have been a redesign that is stronger. The original one bent/bowed over time. Only have it back a short time and on the seventh time opening heard a bang, bang. Then retracted it. The cable went in front of the guide track in the rear of the slide. I looked at the outside and rives were pushed out of the bottom. The slide was hung up at the bottom rear corner. The dealer managed it get it open. The column was damaged. They have ordered new columns for both front and rear. I just wonder what are the columns? The one inch square aluminum or wood structure behind it? No delivery date given for the columns after one week.

[71_340]

I also have a full wall slide on my 2019 Four Winds 24BH, we bought the RV new and it didn't come with a slide lock. When I drive for a while and stop I push the switch in the retract position and the motors run momentarily although I can't see any slide movement.

The Itasca Reyo I traded in had two smaller slides and came with a lock for each one. I will purchase two locks for piece of mind and to have a back up if the motors fail. By the way, you can get locks with a nylon pin which prevents damage if you forget to remove them.

[Frankomd]

What a great discussion! As others have said, and I agree, I ALWAYS learn something on this forum. We have a 2019 Freedom Traveler A30 with a full wall slide. I feel a little "naked" right now without a slide lock! Heading for YNP tomorrow but I'll try to acquire two slide locks upon return. Thanks to all of you for sharing your many years of experience. Our prior rig was a 2007 Itasca Impulse 24V Class C we enjoyed for a decade. No slides, no drop-down bunk, no auto-levelers, etc. Fairly "simple." Moving up to this 32 foot class A with a lot of additional systems is like learning to walk all over again!

[Blindcoyote]

Thanks for this thread! Definitely getting locks!

[DavidJoyce1]

We have a 2017 THOR Palazzo 36.1 everytime we use our full slide, the Bedroom slide or the bunk bed we say a PRAYER... So Many Issues Motors Burning Up Gears & Gear Teeth Failures. Anyone know the correct procedures to lube the slide outs please...

[Pete'sMH]

I had a slide failure once and after wringing my hands in a pseudo-panic for a while I got down to work and figured out how to disconnect the motors and push the slide in manually. Turns out it was very easy and for the remainder of my ownership I was without worry or fear of any failure. Just make sure you have a ladder and a slide lock to hold the slide in after the motors are disconnected and you push the slide in. I recommend that you practice it at home or in camp when it’s convenient so you aren’t faced with it someday in the rain at checkout time when you need to be 400 miles away.

[Jimbo56]

So if I use slide locks and eliminate some of the strain on the motors, will that reduce some of the potential for failure? And some of the cracking noises as I’m driving?