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Slides - Hydraulic vs Electric - Differences in problems?

Yahoo Message Number: 117755
Over the years, here and other forums. CC's and SOB's. I've read of Slide related problems. And as the majority of the slide problems seemed to relate to Hydraulic system slides, vs Electric, I wanted to ask here on CC, what others opinions are.

A few of my perceptions:
-The majority of Class A DP's, have some Hydraulic slides
-Some coaches have a mix of Hydraulic, and Electric slides
-Some One and Two slides coaches, are Electric only (Mine is.)
-HWW seems to provide components to the bulk of Hydraulic
-Power Gear is the most often mentioned Electric
(Other's, as well as Manufacturer Specific Designed and part pieced slides are in some coaches.)
-HWW often sales pumping components and switching brains, for Hydraulic slide units. Many manufacturers provide and design hydraulic lines used in their coaches.
-Hydraulic slide systems, seem to be impacted by hydraulic leaks (Hoses and or couplings.) as the most prevalent problem.
-Electric slide systems, seem to be impacted by the Syncing Solenoids, and or interconnected switches between multiple Slides (Not said very well. But means if the Rear slide is in movement, the front slide switch is smart enough to hot activate. I believe this usually controlled by the 'brain' not the actual switches. But I know in our coach, I did have one Switch itself that had a problem.)
-Manual operation of slides when needed. Vary between ratchet systems and belts (Primarily hydraulic.). To larger wrenches turning of Electric.
-In addition to Hydraulic leaking, and or pumps going out. Shear pins can be a common replacement item for both Hydraulic and Electric, depending upon the variables of designs between manufacturers and model years.

(One shared opinion from a Tech in Junction City, is that the Hydraulic Hoses and Coupling used by CC, were not as robust starting in 2005 and on. (Now, that was one person's opinion, from a former CC Assembler, now Maintenance Tech. And he specifically commented on the 'National' influence of common part sourcing between National's other coaches, and CC. And I have no idea if that is an accurate assessment. However, this Tech always provided great input to me on all other work I'd worked with him on. And he'd not only worked on the Assembly line of Allures, and Magna's, but later became one of CC's Tech's that would be sent out into the field to assist CC Dealers on problem areas. And or at CC sponsored rally's. So, I listen to what he said to me.)

OK, so what?

Well I wanted to ask for corrections and additions to my 'perceptions' above. Specifically related to CC's.

And, I thought sharing any problems that you might of had, and how you resolved them, might help others researching problems in the future.

Finally, maintenance tips and proactive changes you may have made before a problem occurred. Could also help others too.

(I'll respond to our my own post, with my problem and maintenance.)

My best to all,
Smitty 04 Allure, High Cascade, 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Slides - Hydraulic vs Electric - Differences in problems?

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117756
04 Allure, High Cascade, 31017
-2 slides, driver side
-Front slide is the deeper slide, rear normal (30" vs 24" (?))
-Both Slides Power Gear Electric

Problem:
-Front slide stopping on way in, going over the hump to raise the slide up over the floor. Got worse as time went by. I'd have to go back out a bit, and then back in, and usually it would work get passed the tough area and get all the way in. Removing weight from the slide, seemed to help. It got to the point where I had to go out and put my shoulder to the outside of the slide, and the DW would work the gear, and I'd assist it in.
Correction's:
-Cleaned the nylon bump strip well, and applied a teflon spray (Others use silicone.)
-Got out and accessed the gears and ram arms teeth. Cleaned well with spray can of Brake Cleaner. Let dry. Then spray gear and ram arms teeth with Dri-lube spray.
(Was embarrassed, never new it needed maintenance!. On my yearly list of cleaning now!)

Problem:
-Activating the Front Slide switch to extend, would not work. Found by having the DW moving the Rear In/Out some, and then stopping. Would somehow 'goose' the Front slide switch to activate and extend. (Never a problem coming in.)
Correction:
-Replaced the Rear Switch, as input form this board said that was sometimes a problem point. (Not sure if that was the case. But no other problems at this time.

Problem:
-Rear bedroom slide seemed a bit out of alignment.
Correction:
-OMC helped determine a broken weld point, and repaired. (This was post Alaska trip, and could have been just too many ice heaves:)!)

So far, Power Gear electric slides, have been mostly problem free in our coach.

Best to all,
Smitty
04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Slides - Hydraulic vs Electric - Differences in problems?

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117757
Thought my slide was defective, turns out I was not level enough.in the process I attempted to manually ratchet it in but could not move it an inch! Anybody ever successfully ratchet one in? Or was I pulling against the hydraulic pressure? Jt

Re: Slides - Hydraulic vs Electric - Differences in problems?

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117768
I can roger up for all your observations, Smitty.
We've got one large Power Gear electric (DS forward) and three HWH hydraulic on our '08 Allure. No problems yet with any of the hydraulics, but I'm aware that may change. The Power Gear has been a PITA from day one. The two rack & pinion drives are prone to "sticking" as it retracts and when that happens she busts a shear pin. One of these is easily accessed. The other is between two walls (behind main storage bay, in front of propane bay, drivers side) and can only be reached by a very supple long-armed, thin mechanic, over the top of the propane tank. I can't get anywhere near it!

My biggest problem was the first time it jammed. Some genius had replaced the shear pins with #8 bolts. And the factory assembler had mounted the motor/gearbox to the wall with bolts which were not long enough to go thru the pot-metal legs and into the box. Result was that when the mechanism jammed, and shears couldn't do their job the legs of the gearbox became the failure point. It sheared all 4 legs and ripped the box right off the wall!

Happily, I discovered that once you obtain the requisite 12" crescent wrench, it's pretty easy to crank the slide home. I managed to "lock" it in by wedging the wrench under the floor and tying it in place with para-cord. 700 miles later we got a new motor/gearbox and had it installed - with SHEAR PINS, not bolts and the correct length bolts in the gearbox legs. Had another shear pin failure before I finally learned to 1. lube the rack/pinion every time before retracting the slide and 2. empty it of all the heavy stuff before moving it either in or out. Since then, we're trouble free.
It's a learning experience, eh?

Don Hutchins
'08 Allure #31613
40' tag, Cat C-9 w/ Cat tranny
Don Hutchins
'08 Allure 470 #31613
40' w/tag, Cat C-9 & Cat tranny

Re: Slides - Hydraulic vs Electric - Differences in problems?

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117795
Ok,

I read all the comments about slides so thought I would clean and the rails etc. on my ds Power Gear slide. When checking the front rollers, I found one roller broken. Any idea where I can find a replacement wheel? My searches found a lot of rollers but not the one for this slide.

Tom
2007 Allure # 31570 Triple slide.
'18 Silverado M&G Braking System

Tom
2007 Allure 430 Hood River Triple slide
#31570
'18 Silverado w/ M&G Braking system

Re: Slides - Hydraulic vs Electric - Differences in problems?

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 117796
Ok I found the roller at rdxrvwholesale.

Power Gear Slide Out Roller 520014

Dimensions: 2" Diameter x 13/16" roller width x 1-11/16 over-all width
Also known under Lippert part number: 368030

Tom
2007 Allure # 31570
'18 Silverado M&G Braking System

Tom
2007 Allure 430 Hood River Triple slide
#31570
'18 Silverado w/ M&G Braking system