Slide problem

[fabieber]

The main slide in our 31S Hurricane began binding in the right corner (viewed from inside the coach). A mobile mechanic showed us how to override the system which does allow full travel of the slide in and out.

I have read a lot about the possible causes of the binding and want to try to fix it myself.

Has anyone successfully fixed this kind of issue and if so, would you share any cautions or tips?

 

[ghnl]

Did the mobile mechanic offer any solutions? Is the rig parked on level ground?

 

[ericmac450]

The main slide in our 31S Hurricane began binding in the right corner (viewed from inside the coach). A mobile mechanic showed us how to override the system which does allow full travel of the slide in and out.

I have read a lot about the possible causes of the binding and want to try to fix it myself.

Has anyone successfully fixed this kind of issue and if so, would you share any cautions or tips?

I don't have a Hurricane, but my slide was binding because the bolts that held the coach body to the crossbars (that attached it to the ford frame) were loose, I tightened all of them and the slide has not had another problem since.

It's about time I check all those again though, thanks for the reminder.

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

To get your money's worth from your mobile tech you should have asked him to show you exactly what was causing it to bind. To start, what brand/type of slide do you have?

 

[ducksface]

My guess has to be the binding is not fixable or your rv guy would have told you exactly what it was.

When you asked what was the cause did he say
you're not level
Don't use the slide
Use the slide, no damage will be done
Or
Did he give you a blank stare and not answer?

I don't think the responders here so far are understanding the situation...and we all have questions.

75 people have looked at your post and so few have responded.

 

[Lt Keefer]

Going back to 1982 I have fixed a lot of issues on the RVs I have owned. I'm sure you can fix yours if what is wrong is fixable. Binding is a type of problem but a lot of things can cause it but you haven't told us what is actually wrong so none of us can help you.

 

[Beau388]

Depends on what casing the problem. If slide stops when partially opening/closing, but Override moves the slide the, the controller will flash the reason for the stop. When it stops you must immediately release the switch and look at the controller, because pressing the extend/retract a second time will clear the error and reset the controller.



The exception is if the slides moves several inches and stops and you continue to the button down the controller will assume the slide is completely open/closed and reset the controller erasing the error code.


The usual problem for a partial opening is the slide is not square in the opening. The fix is adjusting the height of the floor rollers to square the slide up with the opening. That is easily done with the bedroom slide but is a project on the front slide. If the slide's tracks are no kept clean the jib in the motor/gear assemblies can wear and cause the slide to bind or at the worse jump a tooth.

 

[eulopez]

I am fairly new to RVing but have been wrenching all my life and had a similar issue on my RV a while back.

It seems to me that if there was a mechanical reason for the binding then overriding the controller would not allow the slide to move as the mechanical impediment would still be keeping the slide from moving.

As mentioned in a previous reply try to move the slide and when it stops look at the leds on the slide controller, there should a sequence of red flashes followed by one or two green flashes count the flashes and look up the error on the table shown on the controller.

I have seen many posts and videos on slide issues and the most common error seems to be 8 red flashes and one or two green flashes indicating a shorted wire on either motor 1 or 2. All the error 8 examples that I have seen are caused by one of the sensor wires on one of the motors coming unsoldered and the controller can not detect the motor pulses thus explaining why the slide starts to move then stops.

If you had a mechanical bind, overriding the controller would not work.

If it is in fact a code 8, then you can search you tube for plenty of videos on how to access and repair the wires or replace the slide motor. The motor and repair is the same for most RVs, the difference will be how to access the motor which is the biggest challenge.

Those are my newbie two cents worth.

 

[ducksface]

8days.
Op fixed it and wont tell us how
Or
It really wasn't a problem.

My guess(because "binding" is as vague as "nice") :
Water bottle found
Water bottle removed
Singular loud popping has stopped and nothing was binding.

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

I'm betting the most common problem is caused by a blatant design flaw in how the Schwintek motors are "secured"... which is poor at best

Anyone who's replaced one of those motors will have a WTF moment. Shorts are often caused by the motor jumping upward out of the holding collar, which allows the motor to twist. All kinds of fun things happen then... like wires being torn and shorted and the slide room stuck.

The motors are around $70 off Amazon. I recommend carrying one as a spare... they can be changed our with minimal tools... but busted knuckles and many cusswords at an engineering fail.

 

[hikerjohn7]

The main slide in our 31S Hurricane began binding in the right corner (viewed from inside the coach). A mobile mechanic showed us how to override the system which does allow full travel of the slide in and out.

I have read a lot about the possible causes of the binding and want to try to fix it myself.

Has anyone successfully fixed this kind of issue and if so, would you share any cautions or tips?

Have you got photos of what type of slide mechanism you have?

 

[MJC68]

OP got it fixed then did an Elvis and left the building...

 

[16ACE27]

OP got it fixed then did an Elvis and left the building...

SOP for the OP. 4 posts - three are starting threads he never returned to - too busy driving by ...........

 

[ducksface]

I put the op on my ignore list until she decides to be reasonable.
Four posts, all completely self-involved.

Someone called me cynical in a different thread(the proclaimer is a true poster-child for the definition of who cynics are targeted by)

Look up
Cynic.

See why.
It's a them thing
Not a me thing.

 

[dkoldman]

Cat just driving by....

But lets make it work for the other readers, it is a good time to service your Slides. By chance, I spoke with Power Gear earlier this week and they said keeping the teeth in the track rails clean is critical. I had never heard to use soap and hot water to clean. Spray silicon / dry lubricate. When dry wipe excess off with a rag, I do the latter once a year, but I may increase frequency and try the soapy thing just to see what it does.

 

[KrisCatNC]

I'm betting the most common problem is caused by a blatant design flaw in how the Schwintek motors are "secured"... which is poor at best

Anyone who's replaced one of those motors will have a WTF moment. Shorts are often caused by the motor jumping upward out of the holding collar, which allows the motor to twist. All kinds of fun things happen then... like wires being torn and shorted and the slide room stuck.

The motors are around $70 off Amazon. I recommend carrying one as a spare... they can be changed our with minimal tools... but busted knuckles and many cusswords at an engineering fail.

I don’t mean to hijack this post, but do you know of a good way to stop the motor from jumping out of the holding collar? We seem to be having this issue quite a bit. Definitely with a ton of cussing and busted knuckles hubby does get it in.

Thanks in advance!
Cat