Schwintek Slide Poll - Page 5

artgpo · 10-29-2015, 09:16 AM

Took delivery in January, 2013. Have driven about 15,000 miles since then. We have driven on smooth, not so smooth, dirt and downright bumpy road, mostly with a car in tow. Two Schwintek slides. One is about 16", the other small bedroom. Religiously follow Winnebago directions for extending and retracting. Also follow Lippert's lubrication instruction. So far after many cycles no issues. Maybe I got the one and only good ones?

capnj · 10-29-2015, 10:27 AM

I had a problem with large slide on my 2013 a.c.e. For a year until i traded it off. If interested look under" class a thread , a.c.e reviews " it was schwintek slide.

ed rzepka · 10-29-2015, 07:40 PM

We were at the dealer’s today looking at 33c’s. I looked at the new Power Gear rack and it seemed a little sturdier that the feeling I got from the above picture. I talked with the dealer’s Winnebago rep about it. I ask given the past situation with the Schwintek system why I should believe that Power Gear is any better. According the rep, the Power Gear was tested. As I understand it, this system allows for a little more play between the drive gears and the rack. The gear rack on the Schwintek apparently does not allow for much play. To test the new system, Winnebago has some sort of “shake and vibration” machine to test the system’s reliability and mimic an RV driving down the road. The test also included slide out “in and out” cycles. I ask was the Schwinteck System was ever tested that way and was told no.

artgpo · 10-30-2015, 06:19 AM

Since Lippert, the maker of Schwintek slides, owns Power Gear, what is the difference except for the name?

ed rzepka · 10-30-2015, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artgpo

Since Lippert, the maker of Schwintek slides, owns Power Gear, what is the difference except for the name?

I guess the design.

jharrell · 10-30-2015, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artgpo

Since Lippert, the maker of Schwintek slides, owns Power Gear, what is the difference except for the name?

Powergear developed their slide independently as a competitor to the Schwintek design, its noticeably different in design. The rack gear is only attached to the slide at each end allowing it to flex out into the pinion drive mechanism allowing a tighter mesh than the fixed Schwintek.

Powergear was just purchased by Lippert mid last year right at the peak of Schwintek problems, Coincidence?

530ktm · 10-30-2015, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ed rzepka

We were at the dealer’s today looking at 33c’s. I looked at the new Power Gear rack and it seemed a little sturdier that the feeling I got from the above picture. I talked with the dealer’s Winnebago rep about it. I ask given the past situation with the Schwintek system why I should believe that Power Gear is any better. According the rep, the Power Gear was tested. As I understand it, this system allows for a little more play between the drive gears and the rack. The gear rack on the Schwintek apparently does not allow for much play. To test the new system, Winnebago has some sort of “shake and vibration” machine to test the system’s reliability and mimic an RV driving down the road. The test also included slide out “in and out” cycles. I ask was the Schwinteck System was ever tested that way and was told no.

Well I would certainly believe the rep telling everyone that the new system is now a tested and better system than before.

ed rzepka · 10-30-2015, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 530ktm

Well I would certainly believe the rep telling everyone that the new system is now a tested and better system than before.

I am a little leery also. However, Winnebago has probably spent millions in warranty work (and out of warranty work)and coming up with a better system. I would like to think that any company would want to solve this problem and get it behind them (this cost could not have been good for their bottom line). As I told my wife I'm sure that Winne wants workable solution to move ahead (maybe I am also trying to convince myself). By the way, DW really wants this brand and model brand. However, it is definitely not my first choice and if it were solely up to me we would not be buying it even if the Schwintek problem had not happened. This problem has only reinforce my feeling.

530ktm · 10-30-2015, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ed rzepka

I am a little leery also. However, Winnebago has probably spent millions in warranty work (and out of warranty work)and coming up with a better system. I would like to think that any company would want to solve this problem and get it behind them (this cost could not have been good for their bottom line). As I told my wife I'm sure that Winne wants workable solution to move ahead (maybe I am also trying to convince myself). By the way, DW really wants this brand and model brand. However, it is definitely not my first choice and if it were solely up to me we would not be buying it even if the Schwintek problem had not happened. This problem has only reinforce my feeling.

As I mentioned prior, mine has been working perfectly for quite some time and that is with many in and out procedures while camping. We really like the coach which was the selling feature for us and Winne is not the only company using these slides either. Good luck with your purchase.

TOMFEN · 10-30-2015, 01:13 PM

I have a 2013 Itasca 27N with over 21,000 miles on it. No problems so far. The large slide on the passenger side has always made some noise when extending and retracting it. The noise has lessened somewhat since I have started lubing the slides with CRC Power Lube.

Tom

dezrtracr · 10-30-2015, 01:24 PM

I have a 2015 Vista with 3 small slides, so far so good. The larger of the slides squeaked loudly at the beginning, but has now quieted down over time.

zman-az · 11-03-2015, 07:02 PM

How do I change my vote from a no to a yes?

johnd1985 · 11-04-2015, 11:52 AM

well I feel safe to say now that since the shop re-shimmed the slide to the coach that I wont have to put a 3rd slide mechanism in. I did have creep after they shimmed it. I do believe that the tiny mechanism doesn't have the leverage to prevent it. I did get some travel bars from Winnebago and that stopped the creep even during our last trip down and up HWY 101. I do believe that the reason it didn't creep before was because it was bound up. as far as why would engineers design something that would do that on purpose, they don't. they try to maximize weight, space, and cost that works on paper. in the real world though there are a lot more variables. I will however consider this a marginal slide mechanism and continue to keep it clean and lubed to hopefully extend the life.
John
2014 Itasca 37F

Forza Tom · 11-09-2015, 08:12 AM

Apparently they have switched slide mechanism mfrs. My new 2016 Forza 36G doesn't appear to have the Schwintek system any more. While I haven't found anything conclusive in my manuals the gear tracks do not look anything like the Schwintek

Forza Tom · 11-09-2015, 08:53 AM

Robmat the sad fact is there is hardly any quality control at any of the factory's. The way the industry is set up is that the dump the units on the customer and you and your dealer are quality control. The basically build them check them for leaks and some basic functionality and ship them. I have never walked through a unit without finding things that should have been glaringly obvious and should have been fixed before it left the factory but that's not how its done in the RV industry.

XBoater · 11-09-2015, 09:39 AM

You are correct, they have swapped out the Schwintek for PowerGear. I have not noticed much comment on this new system. It started to appear in the 2015 model year on the diesel Winnebagos I saw, not sure when it appears on the smaller coaches. I have not seen it on other manufacturers though. It looks like the new system allows for much more movement of the box. The old system had to keep the box mounted rail in close tolerance with the motor gear for proper operation with little nylon wheels. The new system looks like the rack goes through the framing to hold it to the motor gear, but the rack is only attached at each end and has some flex as the box moves in and out, so it is less affected by the box being out of alignment. Time will tell as to the strength of the rack, mountings and motor of the new system.

peterson · 11-10-2015, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forza Tom

Robmat the sad fact is there is hardly any quality control at any of the factory's. The way the industry is set up is that the dump the units on the customer and you and your dealer are quality control. The basically build them check them for leaks and some basic functionality and ship them. I have never walked through a unit without finding things that should have been glaringly obvious and should have been fixed before it left the factory but that's not how its done in the RV industry.

X2!

AISTQM · 11-10-2015, 10:18 AM

Forza Tom,
My 36G has Power Gear slide mechanism. Hope it is better.

Robmat · 11-11-2015, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forza Tom

Robmat the sad fact is there is hardly any quality control at any of the factory's. The way the industry is set up is that the dump the units on the customer and you and your dealer are quality control. The basically build them check them for leaks and some basic functionality and ship them. I have never walked through a unit without finding things that should have been glaringly obvious and should have been fixed before it left the factory but that's not how its done in the RV industry.

Tom,

I am finding this out slowly. Living in a seashore area I heard that owning a boat is like throwing money in a hole in the water I guess it's the same for an RV (except on land). It's a wonder why some of us purchase new units but if nobody did there wouldn't be any "pre-owned" units for others to purchase.

Bob

majfrizz · 11-14-2015, 12:28 PM

Have a question in regards to the CRC Power Lube w/PTFE that Schwintek recommends to use. I looked at the data sheets to see what all was in it and was trying to determine if it was a silicone based spray or not. Someone suggested they used it on their jacks also.. Just wondering.

Bob