Slide out support system

[v10 dude]

Before I tear into it to investigate I thought I’d ask to see if someone has already done so. I want to know what support/roller/slide system I have in this new to me 2016 Thor ACE 29.4. Not the motion drive - I know that that is the infamous Schwintek - what I’m asking about is the system that supports the weight of the slide box and whether it is large rollers or something like a teflon lined channel. Looking to decide on maintenance for whichever one I have. Thanks y’all

 

[16ACE27]

Look under your slide when extended. You'll see the metal flat areas that ride on the rollers.

 

[v10 dude]

Yep. See em. Assume no maintenance required. Different question - say one of the two Schwintek drive motors went out on a slide at a campground - can slide be retracted by pushing it by hand?

 

[v10 dude]

Sorry. I just found the thread covering this issue. Not currently a problem but headed on 1500 mi ( one way) trip to NY State and have that fear. Sounds like prayer may be the answer.

 

[ghnl]

...say one of the two Schwintek drive motors went out on a slide at a campground - can slide be retracted by pushing it by hand?

I surmise you figured out the answer is 'no'.

The motors also act as brakes to keep the slide from moving (in or out). Thus an inoperative motor will prevent that end of the slide from moving. If stuck out, remove the retention screw (square drive screw on the outside), raise the motor up ~ 1" to disengage it from the vertical drive shaft. Now you can manually push the slide in (it will likely take some significant muscle). Once fully in, either put the motor back into position (you have to engage the drive shaft and the anti-rotation pins) or fashion a block of wood to prevent the slide from moving out (or even better - do both). You can then drive to a repair shop or get it home to make the proper repair.

 

[yukongrant]

It is "possible" but not easy. I had one motor go. It took the RV tech pushing the retract button and me pushing. I was basically the bad motor and he was using the good motor. It was a pain. But it worked. It does take 2 people but could work in an emergency. In my case, the RV tech needed to get access to the bad motor so I was not worried.

 

[Rushy]

Maybe ACE can chime in with the link to Thor resources for your unit if they go back that far. Mine i have to unplug the motors (they are a brake if powered). push the slide in with some help and then plug the motors back in to apply the brakes. Loosening the motors as in post #5 is if they are jammed and cant be turned a much more difficult but necessary solution in that case.