Slide out problems

witthuus · 12-31-2020, 10:43 PM

Hello Everybody,
just bought our frist RV ever - a 2019 Freedom Traveller A30

Picked it up in Buffalo, NY 2 days ago from a private seller and drove down to VA. Upon pick up the awning and the slide out did not work. Seller said it's probably due to being iced.

Back in VA and temperatures in the 60's today, the awning is working just fine. The slide out starts mowing just a little bit and then stops. I don't want to try it too many times as I am afraid, I could damage the motor.

Does anybody have an idea, what the problem could be ? Thank you so much

witthuus · 12-31-2020, 10:58 PM

forgot ot ask: can I manually operate the slide out ?

**16ACE27** · 12-31-2020, 11:06 PM

I have no experience with the Freedom Traveler but if it's like other Thor products the slide out system is made by Lippert Components and is operated by two electric motors and tracks, one motor is on each end of the slide frame. If the motors are out of sync the slide will cock and jam. The slide can be pushed in manually if you unplug the motor cables from the slide controller IF you have enough people to push it. You can go to the Lippert website and download the manual for your slide system which includes troubleshooting information. You can also look on Youtube for Schwintek Slide troubleshooting and repair.

ducksface · 12-31-2020, 11:26 PM

Im a youtube first type of guy.
Also
Check the interior and under whatever lives in the slide, couch etc, for loose cans and sticks and such crap.
We pulled a pogo stick(or some such nonsense) out from under our couch....
You Might get lucky and it's a plastic diet Mt Dew bottle.
Damn that thing was wedged in there. I had to cut it up in pieces to get it out.

Bob Denman · 01-01-2021, 12:24 AM

The slide controller should be flashing a code...
Can you let us know what it's flashing?

witthuus · 01-01-2021, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

The slide controller should be flashing a code...
Can you let us know what it's flashing?

no code - there is no display except a buttom "Slide Extend" and "Retract"

Bob Denman · 01-01-2021, 12:58 AM

Oops... I should have explained things better.

The actual controller takes the inputs from the panel in your picture, and doles it out to the slide motors. They usually hide them in an outside storage compartment that's right underneath the slide.

JamieGeek · 01-01-2021, 01:05 AM

The A30 has the large full wall slide with Thor's/Lippert's 3-trax system.

It could be out of alignment, it could not be set right, there could be a bunch of things wrong with it.

(The controller is likely in the front outside storage behind the driver's front wheel.)

When the slide moves do you hear any rubbing or creaking?

Look at the tracks: count the teeth you see in the front and in the rear--are the counts the same?

mcr1010 · 01-01-2021, 01:16 AM

Try retracting the slide and hold the switch in for about 10 sec's after it stops moving and see if it will re-sync. itself. Also, make sure the coach is more or less level and not on a steep incline or tipped.

**EA37TS** · 01-01-2021, 02:43 AM

First things first, as someone else said, locate the slide controller and see if it is flashing a code. The code will be the number of reds flashes between green flashes. If the controller is flashing a code the slide may not sync no matter how many times you try.

Also, if the coach has an overhead bunk the controller for the bunk may be the same as the controller for the slide. If they are the same you can swap them to see if the slide begins to work.

The slide controller looks like this

Click image for larger version

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Jimbo56 · 01-01-2021, 11:27 AM

Are your house batteries fully charged? If they try not, slide won’t work. Have you leveled the coach? If not, slide won’t work. Did previous owner use slide locks?

Check the above before looking for flashing codes. If still doesn’t work, find a local RV service guy. It’ll save you from a lot of frustration.

witthuus · 01-01-2021, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbo56

Are your house batteries fully charged? If they try not, slide won’t work. Have you leveled the coach? If not, slide won’t work. Did previous owner use slide locks?

Check the above before looking for flashing codes. If still doesn’t work, find a local RV service guy. It’ll save you from a lot of frustration.

yes - RV is leveled and batteries are full. As far as I know no slide locks. Can I easily indentify them, if they are used ? No idea what they would look like and where they would be installed

Thank you everybody for your help so far

JamieGeek · 01-01-2021, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by witthuus

yes - RV is leveled and batteries are full. As far as I know no slide locks. Can I easily indentify them, if they are used ? No idea what they would look like and where they would be installed

Thank you everybody for your help so far

Typically you'll find slide locks on the side or the top of the slide. Looks like a jack stand between the outer wall and the innner flange of the slide preventing it from moving.

witthuus · 01-01-2021, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

The slide controller should be flashing a code...
Can you let us know what it's flashing?

Flashes green twice and then 8 red flashes

"Wire short between controller and motor"

Whatever that means ??

Bob Denman · 01-01-2021, 06:19 PM

That sounds as if the wiring going from the controller to one of the motors wasn't routed properly, and it got pinched.

Can you trace the wiring harnesses from the controller : out toward those motors?

witthuus · 01-01-2021, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Can you trace the wiring harnesses from the controller : out toward those motors?

No - can't see it

Scubawise · 01-01-2021, 09:05 PM

Hi may I ask what did you get it for?

witthuus · 01-01-2021, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scubawise

Hi may I ask what did you get it for?

2019 modell year, 1350 mls - paid $73K - hope that is ok. I did lots of research on different models - similar size and 2018, 2019 were all in the price range $75k to $85k. So, I felt comfortable with this one. Its is in pretty good shape ( except the slide out of course

). Hope to get that fixed ASAP - we are planing a trip to Florida next week. Our daughter is graduating from College and I can't miss that

- she would kill me

witthuus · 01-01-2021, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EA37TS

Also, if the coach has an overhead bunk the controller for the bunk may be the same as the controller for the slide. If they are the same you can swap them to see if the slide begins to work.

Would you know where I find the bunk controller to see if it is the same ? Thank you

jjoster56 · 01-01-2021, 09:53 PM

I had a very similar situation with my Windsport 27B last summer. One of the motors came out of its position and the kinked the wiring as it turned freely out of position. The motor is held in position from the inside of the coach BUT held down in place by a single screw that goes in from the outside of the coach (into the slot at the top of the motor). If this outside screw came out and the motor rose out of position it will spin freely and kink the wiring - giving the 8 flash code. Check out the videos from Schwintek/Lippert on line and you will understand how the motors work.
You might search out a mobile RV mechanic in your area. Dealers are probably booked out for service calls until the end of February or March by now.

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