Schwintek Slide Failure and Complete Replacement
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- Опубліковано 11 лип 2023
- Today I am at Integrity RV in Mesa, AZ. A recent customer purchased a 2021 Villagio Class C motorhome from Renegade and Rev Group. Unfortunately, the nearly full wall slide in this 2 year old RV started making popping noises, and yes it is a SCHWINTEK Slide!!! Integrity RV, true to their name, agreed to help with repairs on the slide. However, their highly skilled technician, Pablo, was heading out of town for the holiday and they asked if I could help. So join me as we replace the slide, look for problems, and try to understand why a two year old luxury RV already has a massive failure with no signs of incorrecty usage.
Thanks for watching!!
Integrity RV
2323 E Main St
Mesa, AZ 85213
480 668-1212
www.integrityrvaz.com/ - Авто та транспорт
I don’t even own a RV and I’ve watched every video you’ve released. You are an excellent creator and teacher.
Thank you :)
Ha Ha, me too!
Yes he is amazing, really enjoy watching his videos.
I can’t even drive a car and i love your approach to really fixing things the RIGHT WAY. Right on, James.
I am pursuing RV inspection certificate! You are far better than the course!
As an RV Technician myself, I can appreciate the hard work that goes into these jobs. Thanks for the content, you are very enjoyable to watch!!
Thanks 👍
We replaced our schwintek on our 2018 jayco Seneca 37fs with the vroom version and (Thank God) it has been working good ever since. Schwintek replaced 3 times.
15:33 "Even though I call myself an expert, that's mostly marketing. I'm mostly a hack..."
I never identified with any statement ever spoken on youtube or anywhere really more than I do with this. I love it and i will be using it. Appreciate ya. Subbed
I always enjoy watching your videos, I am truly amazed how poorly constructed modern RVs are.
James = Honest , good quality RV tech , engineer , coach builder .....and its refreshing today in 2024 ....I'd not only buy from you ,but quit my job and work for/with you .... Excellent knowledge Sir
I bet that plexi shim was put in there because the slide was an 1/8th to a 1/4 off on dimensions and the factory knew they'd have to shim it to get it to work until the warranty expired. I also see a lot of people not holding the button to extend or retract for 5 seconds after the slide is done moving to "re sync" the motors. If you don't do that they continue to get more and more wacky until the slide comes out crooked and gets stuck.
Exactly, and should have checked the slide for dimensional squareness at outer and inner ends as well as side to side dimension top to bottom as the hole was likely too wide and hence the shims. After install or partially in the distance from the rack face to the edge of the H channel should have been checked both sides top and bottom and should not have exceeded 2-1/2 inches per Lippert. This is likely why the gear teeth were not in more contact with the rack and now will be even less. This reinstall will likely break down inside of another year. Moreover before screwing the H column back in on each side the relationship between the bottom of the slide and the outer rollers should have been checked to ensure the weight was indeed on the roller on that particular side as the original holes could have been too high in which case if reused (as they could have been improperly positioned) the gibs/guide rollers would be holding up the slide instead of the roller. Fortunately, here, it appears that the rollers are supporting the slide. My guess is that if the opening was too wide the shims still were not enough to compensate and despite the blocks' ability to move in and out on the gibs to allow for some difference in wall construction and flex there was too much difference to overcome to give good contact with the gears/racks hence wear and noise and out of sync! Otherwise one of the best video presentations on anything RV I've seen. Hope, I'm wrong and the slide is still working!
I feel so bad for the owner. Those units are not cheap. Thank you
Great video! It's criminal what Schwintek has does to the RV industry. It's the reason people look for RVs without slides. Unfortunately for this owner, he'll continue to have problems because the technology being installed here is not an upgrade, just a repair. I have the same full wall slide with the Jayco Melbourne 24 L and had the entire slide mechanism replaced with Vroom Slide Systems out of Tucson, AZ and never had a problem since.
Need a class action lawsuit to bankrupt Schwintek. Most USELESS poorly engineered crap on any RV.
Oh man. Not that things can't go wrong with the older setups but... I'm kinda glad my slides have Steel rack and pinions. Seems like my 20 year old stuff seals just fine being driven from the bottom of the slide.
Just my thoughts but I think the one you own James is way better than anything they build today I like RVs without slide outs less problems and leaks great video sir 👍👍
After watching stuff like this, I miss the old tip-outs...no motors to fail, no gears to fail, it just worked. Don't think that system is strong rnuf for that big of a slide, but I did note one thing on this video...u actually gave winnebago credit for something, lol. Excellent tutorial, Sir...but in regards to ur comment about yourself, u may b a hack, but ur the best damn rv technition hack we have ever seen!
I learn so much about my Class A by watching you tackle these jobs!
Thanks for watching
Another great video James! Thanks to your videos I’m becoming a better and better « hack » with my RV!!
Perfect!
Excellent work James. Outstanding indeed. No doubts about your work, but I am skeptical of the engineering sustainability Hopefully, those Schwinteks will actually hold up that huge slide over time. I do 100% agree the engineers underspec'd the sliderails for such a heavy slide.
Enjoy your upcoming vacation James. Well deserved!
I’m not sure why they would use schwintek vice a rack and pinion for such a long and heavy slide. As always, I’m glad you took us along the repair steps.
Yeah, that is a huge slide
$$$$$$$$$$$$$
I’m no rv tech, but had the pleasure of became somewhat of a schwinteck expert when I installed a new schwinteck slide system this past winter. My conclusion is my slide is too big / too heavy. Bed and laundry with washer & dryer. No telling how long it will last. I considered vroom, but $4,500. I removed the H frame before the tracks, but just the same, you got it done. My drive axle on one side was badly worn, seem like there should of been some sort of bushing. Just an overall poor design. Enjoyed the video!
Thank you very very much for all these videos , RV wether new or old 😮 have a lot of issues , the problem with the new is that in less than two years you already have big problems and am pretty sure you have a bunch of years of payments left 😢😢 , these machines are a mountain of money 🤑 rolling down the road, I will pray 🙏 🙏 for all you good people who have one 😮 🙏....
You look like an Expert in my book. Thanks!!
Lippert, the first word in RV heartaches...
LOL
You helped me out with repairing the slide out on my Cruiser RV several years ago. This video is perfect! Many thanks!
For some messed up reason Thor us that same slide out on full slides. I've talked to the west coastrep about that telling that system is great for bedroom slides not full slides. His reponse was well it makes money for you guys. I'm a mobile rv tech in Paso Robles, Ca.
Now since you are in Airizon, in Tucson, there is a company called Vroom that makes a fantstic replacement for Symantecslides. I've told many of my customers about them and 4 are going for it. Check them out. Their slide systems will put us out of business! :).
I have had to replace more sildes than I care to. Full box removeale and everthing. It's a major pia.
Very interesting video. I admire your skill to problem solve, most people would give up and try a desk job.
I'm about to pull my 13ft slide in the field. I had to replace the schwinteks and the floors on all my slides and that is exactly how I did it with the hydraulic table. They are just a horrible system. Everything really has to be square flat level and perfectly aligned for them to have a chance. It's a system that I'm sure works perfectly every time in AutoCAD but in the real world it's a mess of failure points. Like in sure the plastic shoe will definitely last the life of the coach! LOL And for a big heavy slide like that it's just a ticking time bomb. I'm having a problem where one side H column is torquing because they are only bolted on the front flange. Not to mention the water intrusion issues. Great work as always especially with nailing the top/bottom alignment. Have you seen the Vroom replacement system? They have a dumpster full of these and a new facility changing them out all day every day. Sure makes me miss my old hydraulic system..... Thanks for the awesome timely video!
Hey thanks for the comment! Glad it helped you
The clear acrylic; I bet some hack RV tech recognized the gears weren't grabbing the aluminum track like they were supposed to, his/her fix was to add the acrylic behind the track, thereby forcing the track out slightly and - in theory - increasing the contact between the track and gears.
James, I can’t tell you how much I love your channel. I watch every single video. My only issue is I get distracted by how tough it must be to do everything one handed while holding the camera in your other hand. 😂 Can’t you invest in a good head mounted camera? Thanks again for all the entertainment and education!
You have a lot of patience and knowledge. I agree, a 2-year-old RV has this problem!! Horrible design and too much weight for that mechanism. You did a great job and super video captures on the hard-to-see angles. At first I thought you were going to install the new VAROOM system which would likely eliminate the typical Schwintek.
Plus Lippert likes to major tweaaks to it every few months which really add to the frustration level!
Thanks James, excellent video. I had the Schwintec system in my 2014 Forest River. Always a problem for me.
With all the information you and other pros put out on UA-cam, I’m hoping we push back enough on manufacturers so they start making changes. Years ago , we didn’t know any better. Now we are learning.
I purchased a Winnebago two years ago because they DID NOT have this system. And with your videos I learned to constantly check my Winnebago roof. Thanks for your hard work.
Great to hear!
James, The two think that let the gears jump time was the broken wheel and plastic shim, and the clip not being on the roller. The roller is what keeps the gears engaged with the track. Most techs, have an old cable that connects to the motor on these. And cut off the control end and put clips on it. Plug it into the motor, and plug into their impact driver battery. Plug one touch the other. The motor will work. Change the wires to go the other direction. Also used to test if motor is bad or not. Best wishes, Kevin
I am and RV Tech and I could keep agreeing with you about the OEM’s and Lippert! I heard something about a class action but I’m not sure
glad to hear I'm not alone!
Of course there is nothing I can say that someone else has not said.....
That being said, I thoroughly enjoy your videos! It is amazing to watch these! Thanks James!
Thanks James for the video. If we ever trade I will certainly keep my "eyes" open for these Schwintek mechanisms. You are the best RV tech show on UA-cam. Great content from a long time subscriber. Thanks again.
Thank you James, you're the best in exploring , explaining and sharing all the infos you can find to help us all !!! Congrats! I really enjoy each videos you're sharing . Thank you. And i also appreciate your humble way of demonstrating your find. Great job man !
I appreciate that!
May I suggest a head-mounted camera? You could use both hands that way. Excellent videos man, you certainly know your stuff. Learning a lot. I do know this much, the Schwintek system is not designed for a lot of weight. A full wall slide is too much for that system. The customer will unfortunately need this fixed again.
On our prior Class A THOR POS, 5 motors and one complete Schwintek system was replaced in 5 years. We currently have a 22 Winnebago Vista 29V. My understanding is it has the "new, improved" narrow Schwintek system. One thing is certain.......if we have one, single, solitary problem with this Schwintek, I will immediately schedule installation of a new Vroom system. I cannot understand why Schwintek is still in business. Why Renegade still uses this system is mind boggling. If I were running Renegade, we would be using the system that Show Hauler uses, or possibly the system that Vroom uses. End of rant. THANK YOU, James, for all your very valuable advice and counsel.
I was with you the whole way. An extra set of hands and a few cuss words and I think I would of had it done. Good video thank you. Don,t think the gear teeth fit close enough
As a mobile RV Tech I am always amazed at the effort it must take you to video as you go. Schwintek are tedious enough on their own but to do it one handed and video your way through it - WOW. I have been a fan for quite some time now and your videos have helped out in the field multiple times !! keep ‘em Coming - thank you
Thank you. I love that feed back, I post videos because I feel like I was helped so many times by other creators videos too that it seemed only fair.Also , they are one handed because as a mobile tech, I don't have time to setup and mic shots, I just want to get the job over as soon as possible. :)
I always learn a lot when watching your videos. The quality of your work is always impeccable. Your years of industry experience shows in the knowledge you display…..thanks as always.👍👍
Another great video. It looks good, runs smooth as well.
Slides too big for a schwintech. It’s gonna fail again. Nice job as usual 👍🏼
Great job as usual James you are the man when it comes to RV repairs. I wish you were located in Alabama we need a top notch RV man. I do most of my own repairs but every once in a while I could use a real RV expert. Keep the videos coming you are interesting and entertaining.
Great video, thank you. Regarding the spacers, the installation spec for the Schwintek is 2 1/2 inches from track face to rack edge, plus or minus 1/8 inch, measured at full extension and again at 6 inches of extension at each track. The spacers were probably needed to keep the clearance in spec due to the rough opening being cut too wide. Based on the damage it might be necessary to install even thicker spacers to keep the gears engaged in the track enough to avoid further slipping.
probably, I find lexan to be a very poor choice as a spacer material too.
@@AZExpert It's an interesting choice, probably made for cost and for speed as they can score and snap it quickly as opposed to aluminum.
After only 2 years having these problems I would not be happy if I purchased this RV
Your the Ace ! Thanks for letting me come alone .
I can't imagine how you manage to record with one hand and work with the other. Also, it scares me when you're on the roof!
Thanks for that excellent channel content. My 5th wheel is scheduled this Friday to have the Schwintek repaired. It is still under warranty. Not even a year old and the slide got stuck and wouldn't come in. A tech walked me through how to pop the motor out so I could push the slide in manually. Not a good experience at all.
you do a great job with one hand.
Always a great learning experience, thank you James and enjoy your vacation
Thank you the detailed "hack included" video!! Much better than the lippert video. I am about to do the same on my sli
Excellent job, I would like to see you work on a cable slide repair, you're the best to explain in detail.
A Schwintek slide would be a deal breaker for me when RV shopping.
I wouldn't even put my name on this your name is gold. This Might tarnish your name but I realize you're helping a friend reputation is everything. I would've sent this right back to the manufacture.
Nice work👍🏽 Congratulations!
Great video, again James. I had a cringe moment when you supported the slide with the boards vertical. Stacked boards can't tip like when they are vertical. Not much to add but a box tipping out the hole might cause people to ask a few questions.
I do some questionable things for sure :)
Another informative video. Enjoy your vacation!
Excellent tutorial my 2022 grand design is having some slide crackling issues also this is such a common problem on all RVs I'm just blown away that a better design or more robust system of the same isn't being manufactured. It's very disheartening to spend hard earned money and have catastrophic failures like this on basically brand new units. What happened to quality and craftsmanship?? It's all about sending these rigs off the production line as quick as possible and attention to detail has long been disregarded with no action to rectify these common issues
James, you showing two year old rv problems makes my 2002 Beaver Marquis go up in value. Thanks
mine too ;)
James I now you are good - but wow - to R&R this schwintek slide in 51.22 is next level :)
You are the only technician I would want working on my campers! If you are ever passing through Indiana please let me know.
My guess, based on the problem I've had with my Schwintec system, is that the cutout for the slideroom is not square. So, the spur gears at either top or bottom are fully engaging the rail, but on the opposite end of the transfer shaft they're barely engaging. (Someone knew that, too, and added the plexiglass spacers to try to account for the sloppy cutout.) And I'm betting a donut that it'll happen again in a few years.
We had to have our slideroom completely removed, then have the wall opening shimmed. I think there's only plus-minus 1/8" for the spur-to-rail engagement; anything over that either causes binding (too tight), or chewed up rails (too loose).
Our slideroom spurs completely disengaged at the top one evening while we were extending the room. This allowed the top of the slideroom to drop (using the rollers as a fulcrum). The top of the slideroom was all the way out, resting against the trim panel, while the bottom was still some 10" - 12" inside the coach. I'd been watching the slide rails for signs of abnormal wear and never seen any prior to that happening. The first time it it failed was 2018 (on a 2017 coach), and we obviously couldn't drive the coach with the slideroom hanging out. Lippert sent one of their reps up to where we were (after 2 weeks of heated calls between us, our manufacturer, and Lippert). He jacked the room up and rebuilt it in place. Two years later the same room failed again. This time we were able to get it to a service center where they completely removed the room, and properly shimmed the walls to ensure correct spur-to-rail fit. Knock on faux wood paneling, it hasn't given any trouble since. If it ever does, I'll replace the entire Schwintec system with a Vroom system. In fact, had I known about Vroom the last time it failed I would have done it then, since the entire conversion was only a few hundred dollars more that we paid to have the Schwintec fixed again.
This Schwintek system they use on full wall side slides out hold me from purchasing 4x4 Super C I was looking on. Wroom instaler is far from me to go and replace that to have peace of mind. I do have Schwintek on my 5th TH , but slide in bedroom is small and so far works.
Amazing how you can find the problem and repair......another when I do get a rv or trailer no slide out
yup! And I’m sick of the cheezy tpo/rubber roof membranes too. I’m on my 4th rv….no slides and it’s all fibre glass 😂. 🍻
Only two years and having slide issues? Reinforces my preference for non slide RV.
I have a 20 year old Holiday Rambler Alumascape 33 foot 5th Wheel with 3 slides with steel rack and pinion slide mechanisms, and they still work as good as new.
I have same exact issues going on. Thanks for detailed explanations. I was worried bout how to get top back in square but looks like once bottom track is off the jack will recenter the slideout
The way the newer RVs are built makes me so glad I bought a 2000 Monaco dynasty. Yes I’ve had to fix things and change a couple things to my liking but overall it is built very well.
Can’t believe it only lasted 2 years! Great quality I’d say….😢
Everything I own is Craftsman love them seem to outlast my buddies yellow tools.
WOW..... what a pain!!!! Thanks for fighting the good fight.....
Thank you James. Great video!!
Glad you enjoyed it
Great video. Just reassures me of why I pass on RVs with that slide mechanism. People complain with cable slides also. Atleast I can just replace the cable when it breaks.
Awesome video; very informative. When I upgraded from a 1996 nonslide class A to a new slide out class A I avoided Schwintek at all costs. I almost bought a 2014 Suncruiser 32H with a Schwintek full wall slide out, glade I went with something else. Not only are they a failure waiting to happen... the repair is a nightmare. My mobile tech that I use will not repair or service slide outs - too much trouble and cannot warranty the repair of a mostly defective design. Keep up the great videos.
Our slide-out is a total of 74 inches that includes our dinette. I asked my son, why is the slide-out moving so slowly? His reply was, It's Crushing the trash can.
Very informative! Always entertaining watching you work and hearing your comments. Makes me wonder, do you see many repairs on Airstreams?
One of your best videos
You are a stud! Nice work!
:D Ha! thanks
James, I'm always impressed by your videos and your abilities but I've never been impressed with that brand of slide out mechanism. Our electric slide out on our 2003 Newmar Dutch Star DP has never failed in 20 years. It does take up more room underneath the floor in the bays but is way easier to work on, if and when it fails, which I'm sure it will do one day. Safe travels.
I toyed with the idea of doing commercial RV repair, but having done enough on my own rigs, it would be like living in hell.
Love your videos
Thank you for the insight into the industry
Might consider a couple of 300 pound visitors on the dining room or bed😅
They dont often consider that
Hey, I might know the guy that makes those Skillabove testers...you might just end up working on more Schwinteks in the future. LOL!
Phone call already placed and voicemail recorded 🎉
@@SkillAboveRvTesters You rock.
What a awesome job
The more I watch your videos the more amazed I get. You are the mechanic I wish I had around but, living in Miami ...oh, by the way, why dont you get a gopro and a head band to support it, you can free both hands then..
I’ve the same setup on my 2021 gulfstream 6320 class C bedroom and for dinette and theater seats. I keep them synced constantly and the coach leveled real good, plus lubed with a dry silicone. Coach is 2 years old.
Nice shoutout for the coddiwomple.
LOL
Interesting indeed! Thanks
Plus I have the full Lippert spec for an install if you need need then or , hopefully, Lippert will email them to you. It is crictal for seamless operation.
I fell in love with that Concord parked next to you
it just delivered yesterday
2017 Forest River with 4 slides , have replaced 4 motors to date with another not working on last trip. As soon as it’s fixed the RV is gone .😢The worst problem is it takes months to get it worked on and it’s always far from home when it breaks down.I’m guessing the engineer who decided it was appropriate for these slides was an affirmative action graduate.
Great video James. You should invest in a Go Pro camera and mount on your head or your chest so you can use both hands and still capture great video.
I've found I have lost too many videos with other cameras failing
This is about the 10th video I have watched on these CRAPPY Schwintek Slides so I can feel confident enough to attempt the repair.
I can't take mine in for service because the slide will NOT come in.
How is this company still in business? I have seen failures on 1 year old RVs.
They are still in business because they rip people off for $300 for JUNK parts.
Parts that are designed to fail so users have to buy more crap parts.
I will NEVER again by ANY RV that has a Schwintek CRAP on it.
Mine is stuck in the out position with only one side working.
On the side that is not working, the slide is all the way out at the bottom and still in by 3 inches at the top so this means it jumped some teeth on the rack the bottom or top.
Absolute GARBAGE products!!!
But THANKS for your video as there were a couple more things it will make me watch out for which I had not seen yet.
Because Lippert is the RV industry and owns all the supply side
I bet is hot in Arizona thanks for sharing the video my man
My guess, the filler strips were an attempt to improve/ force better engaging of drive tooth to track, a day late, and a dollar short as the track was already damaged.......
Yikes. I'm glad I didn't buy an RV with one of these full-room slideouts.. My slideout is just the length of the couch, just enough to create some more room, I could push it back in if the power slide mechanism fails. Every aspiring RV owner should watch these videos, just to see how they build RV's, which is as cheap as they can get away with, and sell them for $200K.
It's on a lot more make than Winne coaches which is a royal pia. Slim rack is just another name for failure
Instead of the special tool, you can just use jumper wires. If you have a spare connector to the motor, you just jump a 12v battery to the motor power wires, and violá, you can manually move the motor.
thank you
You're welcome
I love watching your videos. I have a full slide with a Slimrack system. The bottom rear does not go in all the way, it stays out about 2 to 3 inches. When I ran it out, I heard it skip a couple of teeth. Can I pull the motor and push the bottom in?
Great video! Hopefully I’ll never have this problem
good job.