How to maintain slide outs

RV Squirrel · July 11, 2024, 03:37:46 PM

I have a 2014 14DBS. The slide out work fine, but I haven't done anything to maintain it. Should I be spraying the tracks with a lubricant? Should I be spraying the seals with a conditioner? Any other words of wisdom?

I've removed the paneling between the slide out and the bathroom, and am making a bookcase to store DVDs and the like. I've been activating the slide out mechanism a lot while working on the bookcase.

Oh, and is "slide out" one word or two? I've heard the term "popout" used, and I wasn't sure which word to search on.

djsamuel · July 11, 2024, 05:27:33 PM

About the only thing to do is lubrication. Here's a decent video that explains that as well as the synchronization issue.

https://youtu.be/p9Jx2xLZu-8?si=hJEoJGpLgRpnhy8G

RV Squirrel · July 12, 2024, 03:19:46 PM

Thanks for the link! It provides a good amount of detail. "Darren" in the video points out that Schwintek does not recommend lubrication (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7dyXFg9GbU). Schwintek apparently did recommend lubrication back in 2015 for particular situations to "reduce noise while in transit" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0my90W3AKM), but has since removed the link from their website.

djsamuel · July 14, 2024, 01:27:06 AM

Quote from: RV Squirrel on July 12, 2024, 03:19:46 PMThanks for the link! It provides a good amount of detail. "Darren" in the video points out that Schwintek does not recommend lubrication (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7dyXFg9GbU). Schwintek apparently did recommend lubrication back in 2015 for particular situations to "reduce noise while in transit" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0my90W3AKM), but has since removed the link from their website.

That is true, but in the Schwintek video stating not to lubricate, they mention how the system has been redesigned and several metallic components were changed to composite. I don't believe those changes were early enough to make it into any Camplites. Also, the deleted video described the lubrication procedure as maintenance; not noise reduction. I remember that video well as it was the one I used to learn how to lubricate the slide in my 2013 21BHS. I use the CRC teflon spray shown in the video (and also in the deleted Lippert video) and my slide has worked great for 11 years now.

Merlin · July 14, 2024, 10:42:37 AM

Thanks. I ordered the lube and will do that when it arrives. Good info.

RV Squirrel · July 18, 2024, 01:00:29 PM

Thanks. I've ordered the lube as well. Do you just lube the gib (as in the Schwintek video)? Or do you also lube the track and ceramic wheel (as in the MyRVWorks video)?

Merlin · July 23, 2024, 02:34:50 PM

I just got the lube and did only the track. However, I wondered about the big rollers on the bottom

RV Squirrel · July 24, 2024, 01:29:37 PM

Thanks. I did the tracks (top and bottom on both sides) as shown in the MyRVWorks video. I also did the "gibs" and couplers as shown in the early Schwintek video. I did the gibs (top and bottom both sides, and inside and out). I did the couplers (both sides, inside and out, top only since there isn't one at the bottom). The diagram at https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws.com/assemblies/slideouts/ccd-0002715.pdf shows the gib and the coupler. It was hard to do any lubricating from the inside.

While peeling back the flaps to do the lube, I discovered more dead stinkbugs from a trip that I took three years ago. Those guys got everywhere!

djsamuel · July 29, 2024, 10:31:14 PM

Quote from: Merlin on July 23, 2024, 02:34:50 PMI just got the lube and did only the track. However, I wondered about the big rollers on the bottom

When I was working on my camper after our recent coast to coast trip I also lubed the rollers as well. Figured it wouldn't hurt.

Jackson · August 06, 2024, 06:59:45 PM

Quote from: RV Squirrel on July 11, 2024, 03:37:46 PMI have a 2014 14DBS. The slide out work fine, but I haven't done anything to maintain it. Should I be spraying the tracks with a lubricant? Should I be spraying the seals with a conditioner? Any other words of wisdom?

I've removed the paneling between the slide out and the bathroom, and am making a bookcase to store DVDs and the like. I've been activating the slide out mechanism a lot while working on the bookcase.

Oh, and is "slide out" one word or two? I've heard the term "popout" used, and I wasn't sure which word to search on.

Curious about the paneling removal. I wish to examine wiring behind that panel and would care to know more. Seems the paneling is glued to aluminum framing. How did you manage?

Gordon Jackson

RV Squirrel · August 07, 2024, 04:44:03 PM

The paneling is held in place with screws and double-sided tape. The tape was used to hold the trim to the paneling, and wherever paneling made contact with the aluminum. I got the impression that the tape was used to hold the paneling and trim in place while they applied the screws through the trim. I removed the screws and trim, and then used a putty knife to gently pry the paneling away from the aluminum.

In my CL 14DBS, the slide-out wall is adjacent to the bathroom. When I removed the paneling, I was able to see the plumbing for the shower, the slide-out controller (which had since fallen from its intended place and was now lost behind the paneling), as well as the wiring for the slide-out controller, the bathroom light, the AC outlet (on the bottom of the wall), the license plate light, the cable TV cable, and the main AC cable (service for the entire trailer).

I've attached a picture.

I'm now finished with the bookshelf and am currently working on a trash bin and hamper that will fit in the area. Once I finish them I will post pictures of that as well.

Jackson · August 08, 2024, 10:27:58 AM

Perfect! That exactly answers my question. I will not hesitate to remove that paneling in search of my 12V DC navigation lighting short.

Gordon

Merlin · August 08, 2024, 08:02:56 PM

Quote from: Jackson on August 08, 2024, 10:27:58 AMPerfect! That exactly answers my question. I will not hesitate to remove that paneling in search of my 12V DC navigation lighting short.

Gordon

My navigation lights bad connection was in the wire chase along the top of the shower. It was a corroded clamp connection, probably from exposure to shower moisture.

Paul · August 13, 2024, 11:12:27 PM

I have been thinking about this lately I never done anything to my 2018 model. They changed the way they were made. It's built on a platform. everything move (table, etc) And outside you don't see anything under it. I see tracks on the sides that's all. There is a panel inside I can remove and I assume the motor is there. I will remove it and check

RV Squirrel · August 17, 2024, 06:20:02 PM

I tried to access the motor, and was not able to do so easily. I was was happy to just lube the parts that needed it using the recommendations earlier in this post. Many thanks to those that contributed. I finally finished my bookshelf without any issues despite multiple slideout openings/closings... I put pictures in a recent post here.