Should you lubricate a Schwintek slide?
By
Elaine Knight
In this blog post, we will answer the question: “Should you lubricate a Schwintek slide?” We will describe the tips to fix a stuck Schwintek slide and discuss a few key tips to maintain your motorhome slide-out. Additionally, we will touch upon the types of slide-outs that are commonly used in motorhomes.
Should you lubricate a Schwintek slide?
Yes, you should lubricate a Schwintek slide. A Schwintek slide must be lubricated to prevent wear and tear. Lubrication helps and prevents the metal components in the slide from rust and corrosion. A Schwintek is one of the most common slides that are found in motorhomes and travel trailers. This slide functions by using worm gears to move in and out of the motorhome.
The Schwintek slide has motors on each side and it can be controlled with a panel that is located inside the motorhome. These slides are easy to use and are commonly found on most types of RVs or motorhomes. For the Schwintek slide to function properly, you are required to lubricate them from time to time.
Tips to fix a stuck Schwintek slide
It is pretty common to experience a stuck Schwintek slide. Most motorhome owners go through this hassle at least once. Schwintek slide-outs get stuck often for several reasons. The first reason is the lack of lubrication. Be sure to lubricate your Schwintek slide once in three to six months. Here are a few tips to fix a stuck Schwintek slide.
Sync the electric motors
- You must Sync the electric motors to avoid such hassle. If the motors on each side are out of sync, you are bound to face issues with the Schwintek slide.
- To sync the motors, you are required to hold down the activate button on the panel for a few seconds. By doing so, this will retract the slide giving time for the motors to sync.
- Repeat this process two to three times and make sure that your motors are synced. In most cases, you will be able to get these issues sorted out in the first couple of attempts.
- Note that you need to have the right amount of power. It is advised to hook up to shore power and make sure that your battery is topped up well before trying.
Use the manual override
- Another tip is to use the manual override on the control box. To do this, you will need to get to the basement of your motorhome and find the control box. Usually, the control box is located under the slide-out itself.
- Look for the manual override button on the control box. Once you find the manual override button, you will need to press the button six times. On the seventh time, you will need to push and hold the button to trigger the manual override.
- In case this does not work, be sure to take your RV to a mechanic or an authorized service center to get the issue fixed.
Try moving the slides manually
- While this might seem a bit silly, it has worked for many people and some of them prefer to do this.
- Note that you will need to disconnect the cables that are connected from the control box to the slide. Once you have the cables disconnected, the lock will be disengaged and it will allow you to push the slide manually.
- Remember to push the slide evenly and then reconnect the wires. When the wires are reconnected, the control box and the lock will reengage.
Take the screws off the exterior
- The final tip is to take the screws off the exterior. The screws are located at the top of the slide on your motorhome.
- You will then need to access the motors. You will be able to move them up by half an inch and disconnect them.
- Replace the screws and use a slide lock or a wooden block with the right length to prevent the slide from sliding back out.
Those were some of the tips to consider if you have a stuck Schwintek slide. It is important to consult a professional in case you face these issues. If you are not comfortable working with a slide-out, it is best to get in touch with an expert to solve this issue. To prevent such issues, you are required to lubricate your slide often.
Key tips to maintain your motorhome slide-out
Apart from lubricating your motorhome slide-outs, you are required to follow a few simple steps for proper maintenance. These are a few key tips to consider to maintain your motorhome slide-out.
Ensure that your battery is charged
- Your motorhome battery plays a vital role in this situation. You are required to have a fully charged battery for the slide-out to function properly.
- You can also plug your RV into shore power to get the right amount of voltage and prevent the system from overstraining.
Use slide-out lubrication
- You will be required to use slide-out lubricant for the rollers and rails. These are the important components that help your slide-out to move. If the rollers and rails are dry, it will cause more strain on the system and the slide-outs will not work properly.
- In some cases, the metal components can develop rust and corrosion. Slide-out lubricant will prevent this from happening and also keep the rollers and rails smooth at all times.
Check your seals
- The seals on the slide-out act as protection from weather and pests. The seals need to be checked and maintained from time to time. These seals need to be in good working condition.
- Ensure to look for any wear and tear and replace the seals if necessary. There are several products for seal treatment to reduce friction and damage caused.
Keep the slid-out closed
- Many people have the habit of keeping the slide-out open when not in use. This happens, especially during camping. If your slide-outs are open throughout the day, the chances of developing damage are pretty common.
- Make sure you have your slide-out close when not in use. There is no harm in opening and closing your slide-out whenever necessary. By doing so, you will also give work to the motors and get to know if there are any other issues.
Those were some of the key tips to maintain your motorhome slide-outs. By following these tips, your slide-outs are sure to last longer. RV slide-outs require equal maintenance just like all the other moving components. Ensure to check your sidle-outs before going on a trip. You do not want a stuck slide-out while camping.
Types of slide-outs for motorhomes
There are mainly two types of slide-outs that are used for motorhomes. These slide-outs are either gear-driven slide-outs or hydraulic slide-outs. Schwintek slides have both types of slide-outs that are used for motorhomes.
Gear-driven slide out
- A Gear-driven slide is powered by a motor and a gearbox on each side of the slide-out room. In smaller slide-out rooms, there is only one motor and a gearbox.
- Gear-driven slide-outs are common and are not so complicated. On the other hand, they do not require too much maintenance and are less expensive.
Hydraulic slide out
- Hydraulic slide-outs are equally used in RVs and travel trailers, these side-outs work with a hydraulic pump and a motor.
- There are control valves and hydraulic rams that move the room. However, these slide-outs require constant maintenance due to high pressure and repairs.
As for Schwintek slide-outs, they usually have a long-lasting lifespan. These slide-outs are built to function for years together. Damage can also occur if you do not use your slide-outs often. If you are not going on a trip, try to operate your slide-outs at least once every month to make sure that everything falls in place.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we have answered the question: “Should you lubricate a Schwintek slide?” We have described the tips to fix a stuck Schwintek slide and discussed a few key tips to maintain your motorhome slide-out. Additionally, we have touched upon the types of slide-outs that are commonly used in motorhomes.
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