slide out stuck in national forest

[Bruno]

I had a 2017 Thor ACE. I had to replace 4 slide motors during that ownership. Every time, and I mean every time the motor failure was caused by a screw head from the Schwintek rail. Thor uses self tapping screws to attach those rails and they have a tendency to work loose. If they move out far enough the motor will catch one and bend the head and screw up the motor. If you hear any type of crunch or unusual noise when you are putting the slide in or out stop immediately! Check the rails for any kind of abrasion or bending of the screw head. Remove it. Check all of the screws ASAP. I found that half of them were loose. After this happened a third time I removed all the screws and replaced them with Stainless Steel screws and loctite. The next year I got lazy and didn't check the screws and sure enough when I was in Wyoming this year, I heard a crunch, the slide would not move. Looked at the rails and there was a bent screw head. One that I had loctited in. I was able to get the slide half way in, drove it to Salt Lake City and traded it in on a new coach.
I told them at General RV I would never buy a coach with a full wall slide again. Fell in love with a Miramar and bought it. Of course it has a full wall slide and one of the rail screws had a bent head. I had them replace it. I am definitely a glutton for punishment. We'll see.

[johnxhc@gmail.com]

I don't blame you the layout is just so much better with full wall slide out!

I did try to location where was the noise coming from but could not find anything.

Is it possible for you to show us where is the screw we need looking for ? A picture will be great!
Thank you.

Originally Posted by Bruno

I had a 2017 Thor ACE. I had to replace 4 slide motors during that ownership. Every time, and I mean every time the motor failure was caused by a screw head from the Schwintek rail. Thor uses self tapping screws to attach those rails and they have a tendency to work loose. If they move out far enough the motor will catch one and bend the head and screw up the motor. If you hear any type of crunch or unusual noise when you are putting the slide in or out stop immediately! Check the rails for any kind of abrasion or bending of the screw head. Remove it. Check all of the screws ASAP. I found that half of them were loose. After this happened a third time I removed all the screws and replaced them with Stainless Steel screws and loctite. The next year I got lazy and didn't check the screws and sure enough when I was in Wyoming this year, I heard a crunch, the slide would not move. Looked at the rails and there was a bent screw head. One that I had loctited in. I was able to get the slide half way in, drove it to Salt Lake City and traded it in on a new coach.
I told them at General RV I would never buy a coach with a full wall slide again. Fell in love with a Miramar and bought it. Of course it has a full wall slide and one of the rail screws had a bent head. I had them replace it. I am definitely a glutton for punishment. We'll see.

[HarryS]

Originally Posted by johnxhc@gmail.com

Thanks! It is Jenks lake in San Bernardo National forest in Southern California, I camped 10 minutes away at Barton Flats Campground.

I grew up not 20 miles from there. Left in the 70's when you couldn't see the mountains from the valley in the summer. The smog was awful.

[Yvonnemarc]

One of the key points my sales guy stressed. Never use the slide unless you are level!! ...and this is a prime example why.
Of course I’d be quiet of that fact when you Institute the warranty. Not leveling the coach could be considered owner negligence and I’m sure that clause is in the warranty agreement.

[Bruno]

https://www.thorforums.com/forums/at...0&d=1524788285
This is a link to the original discussion we had about this. Pictures included

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Bruno

https://www.thorforums.com/forums/at...0&d=1524788285
This is a link to the original discussion we had about this. Pictures included

Nope: that's a link to an attachment (picture) of the dual tracks.

Try again.

[Bruno]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Nope: that's a link to an attachment (picture) of the dual tracks.

Try again.

And that is exactly the problem area I was describing. Those screw heads have been the culprit each time I had a slide motor problem. What pictures would you like to see? Maybe you are on the wrong forum.

[axis earl]

Originally Posted by HarryS

I grew up not 20 miles from there. Left in the 70's when you couldn't see the mountains from the valley in the summer. The smog was awful.

It is much better now as far as smog is concerned. What is not better since the 70s is that there are too many people inundating the visitor spots of the forest with little concern as far as parking, trash, crap, etc. It was better back in the 70s with the smog.

[HarryS]

My parents still live there, just east of SB.We visit on occasion and see the differences. We also see the congestion and the crime and the crowding. No thanks. I'll stay east of the Rockies.

[johnxhc@gmail.com]

Bruno,
Got it.
Thank you very much!
I will check that every time I use the slide out from now on.

Originally Posted by Bruno

https://www.thorforums.com/forums/at...0&d=1524788285
This is a link to the original discussion we had about this. Pictures included

[IDguy]

Originally Posted by johnxhc@gmail.com

Yes, I guess it must be 100% leveled.

I just level it by visual and bathroom door. maybe that is not enough

One of the beauties of leveling jacks. Plus have engine runnung when using jacks and slides.

I was going to suggest you could drive it (slowly and carefully) with the slide out only a foot or so. I had to do that with my (smaller) rear slide when it stuck out at my house after the RV shop failed to recalibrate after repair. Fortunately the big slide stuck in so I could get out my gate (just). Only had to drive about 20 miles on low traffic road.

[IDguy]

Some posts here claim their manufacturer says slide before leveling with full wall slide. Doesn’t make sense to me but they claim to have checked with manufacturer.

I’d still level first and then relevel after slide is out if needed.

[Teacher53]

I was just reading a few of the comments on the individual who couldn’t get the slide back in and it was sideways. It really upset me was the senior individuals comment that it was glad to see a real problem that they could address. Instead of some whining about Sawdust behind the hot water heater. What right do you have criticize or minimize other peoples problems you’re supposed to be there to help people not criticize and make small of their issues. Not everybody is a super mechanic or knows how to fix the small things or knows what to expect from the poor manufacturer of Thor

[Glensouth]

That looks like the schwintek three track system. If the top is out farther than the bottom, it had to jump some gears. If that is the case, the gears that ride in the tracks will have to be disengaged from the slide and reinstalled. There will probably be some gear damage, good luck.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Teacher53

I was just reading a few of the comments on the individual who couldn’t get the slide back in and it was sideways. It really upset me was the senior individuals comment that it was glad to see a real problem that they could address. Instead of some whining about Sawdust behind the hot water heater. What right do you have criticize or minimize other peoples problems you’re supposed to be there to help people not criticize and make small of their issues. Not everybody is a super mechanic or knows how to fix the small things or knows what to expect from the poor manufacturer of Thor

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[Cpd]

We had the problem on our 2018 thor freedom elite 30fe. Turned out to be the shwintek( not sure on that spelling) AND the knotheads left to rollers off during production. Its mostly fixed except they believe the wall or floor is warped do we have to do a manual operation. Working with thor to get it fixed completely.

[MLP]

I have a THOR Palazzo 33.2 very long heavy slide. Since I previously owned a fifth wheel, I always leveled. Took it on one trip after purchase and the slide started to pop. You guessed it, the gear drives were chewing through the top the the aluminum gear rails. $4100.00 and four months later we got it back. COVID-19 shutdown, wrong size parts sent, and one part not sent had a lot to do with the time it took. Turns out Swintech designed the inner frame too weak. It was redesigned and beefed up. And it sure was. RVIA/RVDA certified technicians did the work.

[ArrrV]

Originally Posted by MLP

I have a THOR Palazzo 33.2 very long heavy slide. Since I previously owned a fifth wheel, I always leveled. Took it on one trip after purchase and the slide started to pop. You guessed it, the gear drives were chewing through the top the the aluminum gear rails. $4100.00 and four months later we got it back. COVID-19 shutdown, wrong size parts sent, and one part not sent had a lot to do with the time it took. Turns out Swintech designed the inner frame too weak. It was redesigned and beefed up. And it sure was. RVIA/RVDA certified technicians did the work.

Would love to see pictures of the redesigned and beefed up slide system.

[MLP]

Originally Posted by ArrrV

Would love to see pictures of the redesigned and beefed up slide system.

It is now in the shop for maintenance. I should have taken pictures when the slide was out. This is the inner frame. Metal frame is a much heaver gauge so it should not bend over time.

[Wilby]

I am no fan of these Schwintec slide systems. I have a 2012 Thor Hurricane and we have had to replace the entire rails and motor's twice in two years. Thankfully our extended warranty took care of the largest portion of the costs. Every time we pull in the slide I hold my breath. Believe me, I know the codes, I know the reset timing, done that many times. We are meticulous about making sure the coach is level and I mean level. It is not a good system. If we decide to buy another rig in the future the first thing I'm looking for is the slide mechanism.