Schwintek Slideout

[crstrm]

We are looking at possibly replacing our 2008 Arctic Fox Fifth Wheel and have looked at a number of RVs

One of the RVs we looked at had a Schwintek slide in the bedroom. I am not familiar with this type of slideout mechanism and am still researching the slideout style.

My question… When looking at the slideout from the outside, the bottom of the slideout had a different covering than what I have on my Arctic Fox. It appeared to be a vinyl covering. Is this common material on Schwintek slideouts?

Also, when I pushed on the bottom of the slide from the outside, the material was spongy. The material was also rippled.  Is this normal?

I don’t have a good feeling about this type of slideout mechanism. The little research I have done hasn’t been positive so any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Connie

[Lou Schneider]

I won't own an RV with a Schwintek slide.  Their only advantage is they're cheaper and easier for the manufacturer to install.  Schwintek uses two motors, one driving each side of the slide instead of one larger motor with a shaft connecting it to both sides of the slide.

Using two motors instead of one means they have to stay in sync with each other or the slide will tilt and jam.  If a motor needs replacing it's buried deep in a hard to reach location along the vertical side of the slide cutout.  More trouble than it's worth IMO.

Edited October 27 by Lou Schneider

[duraduk]

I share the same opinion about the Schwintek system.  There is a retrofit from a company that beefs up the system.  IMHO that probably work ok on a small slide like a bedroom closet but are more prone to problems on a large heavy slide.  It is recommended that you don't use the slide area when it is retracted such as a dining area.  Some repair folks recommend dry lubrication on the tracts but others don't.  AF makes some trailers with more standard systems.  Youtube has numerous videos about this type of slide.

[crstrm]

Thank you for your responses; you've confirmed by thoughts.  After I made the post, I spent more time educating myself on the various type of slide out mechanisms out there. Schwintek is off my list and we passed on the RV that we looked at that had that type of mechanism in the bedroom. We won't consider any with Schwintek.

[Poohbear]

we've had 13 years of trouble free with the schwintek slide on a bedroom. Just sayin lots  of us have never had any problems but the big living slides are don't do from whatt Ive read. people get them out of sync by not keeping the power on for a short time after extending/retracting or stopping before totally in or out. 

[Wrknrvr]

  I would suggest that, if you buy the RV.

 

  Buy a replacement motor and keep that in the RV. Just incase?

[james mary]

On 10/26/2024 at 10:57 AM, crstrm said:

We are looking at possibly replacing our 2008 Arctic Fox Fifth Wheel and have looked at a number of RVs

 

One of the RVs we looked at had a Schwintek slide in the bedroom. I am not familiar with this type of slideout mechanism and am still researching the slideout style.

 

My question… When looking at the slideout from the outside, the bottom of the slideout had a different covering than what I have on my Arctic Fox. It appeared to be a vinyl covering. Is this common material on Schwintek slideouts?

 

Also, when I pushed on the bottom of the slide from the outside, the material was spongy. The material was also rippled.  Is this normal?

 

I don’t have a good feeling about this type of slideout mechanism. The little research I have done hasn’t been positive so any feedback would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

 

Connie

 

That’s the spirit to take before making a final decision in the matter! Schwintek slideouts do have some features that may be unique and may vary from other types of the same like the one in your Arctic Fox.

As for the vinyl covering you pointed out, it is not a rule that Schwintek slideouts use different material for curb side. There are those manufacturers that use vinyl or any other material that is relatively flexible so that they will make the vehicles lightweight and sleek. However, if the bottom feels spongy and has ripples, then there can be problem associated with the bottom. It might imply low quality of the material or improper installation of the material that has developed some wear out.

All in all, Schwintek systems may work well with no breakdowns and malfunctions; however, they must be taken good care of. Most of them have had some problems especially if the slides have not been greased or adjusted in the right manner. If this makes you uncomfortable, there are other types of slideouts you can look into or you can discuss with an RV mechanic.

If you get the opportunity, spend some time searching for a couple of RVs with different types of slideout systems and compare their feel and the operation. Good luck with your search! I also have this service  Houston car service

Edited November 27 by james mary

[jamtracy]

We traded in in our 5th wheel recently that had 6 years of trouble free usage with the bedroom schwintek motors. We had more issues with the hydraulic slides then that one.