We had not even used our motorhome ... Home only a week or two and used the slide out a couple of times when doing the show off stuff when the slide out jammed and apparently the mechanism broke. Our MH we purchased from a dealer second hand, still under warranty and the problem is covered under it. The van had less than 13000 klms on it and was traded for an upmarket model ... Van otherwise in perfect condition and like new. We are waiting for the van to be towed back to dealer for repair and replacement of a $15 part we have been told!!! Anyway, I probably jinxed us as the one thing I worried about if we got a model with a slide out was problems with the mechanism ......
My question is has anyone had problems with slide outs ..... They are great for increased space, but was I right to be wary??? Or was it just bad luck and could have happened to anyone??
thanks.
Libby
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The Maccas ....
2013 Avida Esperance Motorhome - based in northern NSW.
Hi Libby,
We have a Jayco caravan with a slideout that is 3 years old and has now covered around 60,000 kms. To date we have not had a problem with the slideout but BB caravans who service our van each year hove told us that they make sure it is serviced correctly.
Slideouts certainly add to the space inside the van.
Geoff and Bev
Always a problem when the new machine breaks down!
I don't know the slide out mechanism on your motorhome but thought I would describe a similar situation on our (then) relatively new motorhome. The slide out was open and got stuck when closing. The motor was obviously working (we could hear it) but the slide didn't budge. A helpful fellow camper had a look for us and the solution was actually quite simple. It turned out that there was a bolt that the motor drove and which then engaged the tracking mechanism that opened and closed the slide out.
When he took the cover of the slide out mechanism, it was obvious that the bolt had broken. The solution was to go to the hardware store and purchase an appropriately sized replacement, high tensile bolt. A few dollars and an hour or two later we were back on our way. A the same time I purchased a couple of extra bolts just in case. Have not needed them since, but I learned a good lesson from this experience which I pass on to you.
Whatever the problem with your slide out (sounds relatively minor with a $15 part being the problem) I encourage you to find out exactly what caused it and this will prepare you in the event that it happens again when you are away from help. Even if you have to purchase a spare that someone else can install in an emergency. Good luck with the resolution to your problem. Don't loose confidence in the motorhome slides. They are fairly robust and if you understand the mechanism you can often get out of trouble with some basic DIY skills.
Hi there MC ..... sounds like we had the exact same problem - the slide out operates on what I believe is a "worm screw" mechanism. The bolt on this was cracked/broken - that being the $15 part. Strange that when we inspected the vehicle at time of collection, everything was in perfect working order, including the slide out - makes me wonder if the problem started during the previous ownership and they just did bandaid fix-it procedures to get a good tradein.
We will speak with the mechanic at Hinterland about emergency repairs should it happen again whilst travelling and make sure we have a "spare". I got the feeling (gut feeling that is) that this could be the most common problem experienced, although not sure how often problems are related to this - the mechanic knew exactly what had happened when we described it. We do have an emergency strap to secure the slide out inside the motorhome and a crank to manually operate it in an emergency. We were able to manually push it in and secure it except for an inch or 2 at the bottom. The mechanic told us not to drive it as it could constitute a driving hazard, so they have arranged for a flat tow truck to pick it up and return it back to Burleigh from Ballina area. They have confirmed that the warranty will pick up the costs.
Thanks for your help
Cheers
Libby
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The Maccas ....
2013 Avida Esperance Motorhome - based in northern NSW.
just an update ... Hinterland Avida have accepted repair under balance of warranty that was transferred from original owner ... As was the road service. So ... First, top marks to Avida Hinterland and their associated Winnebago road service for arranging tow from home to Burleigh and storing the MH until repair this week. Issue was one that was suggested by MC ... It was the screw mechanism which will now be changed to the new type which is metal and not plastic. At least now we can start planning our first big trip in our motorhome. I Would think regular maintenance of the mechanism would minimise recurrence .... Majority of owners with slide outs I know are problem free.
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The Maccas ....
2013 Avida Esperance Motorhome - based in northern NSW.
My thoughts on the above, while I know nothing about slide-outs, be aware that in situations where a bolt can shear, this may be an intentional weak point designed to fail so that more serious damage is not caused in some other area of the system. Working as a mechanical fuse so to speak.
In other words if this bolt shears there may be a fault in another part of the system causing more load, i.e. dust on the slides, lack of or wrong lubrication, or even too much lubrication mixed with dust etc.
It would be my advice to buy exactly the same "shear pin" and not fit a Hi- tensile or any other bolt that may be harder to shear unless that is what was originally fitted. It would be the same as putting a 20 amp fuse in where it was 15amp.
Thanks Ian for your input ........ we also do not know much about the slideout and its mechanism other that what we have been told and researched - I have heard from several people that the original plastic (not sure what "type" of plastic" bolt is now being replaced as and when problems occur with a metal one and new slideouts are also being fitted with the new style ...... hopefully this is on the advice of their technical/service gurus. From what we have researched the main regular maintenance for the slide out is the correct lubrication. Appreciate your advice - guess it will be a wait and see and hope all will be problem free - you have given us some info that we will store for future reference if necessary.
Cheers
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The Maccas ....
2013 Avida Esperance Motorhome - based in northern NSW.
