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Topic: Slide Retract Fail (Read 1331 times) previous topic - next topic

Slide Retract Fail

Hi friends,

Need two HWH slide parts for a 1999 Foretravel U320, if anyone has these in their personal stock or knows who might?  Foretravel doesn't have them.  HWH says they would have to make them.  The coach is immobilized and we'd love to find the part(s), rather than be delayed, if possible.

Part(s) Needed
See the slide hydraulic system schematic attached to this post, along with the description from the HWH parts catalog.  The full vertical arm room extension kit we need is part AP17877 or AP17876, if front and rear are identical.  They seem to be, because as you'll see in the first two photos attached, our rear kit is actually marked AP17876, despite the schematic showing AP17877 in the rear.  [These photos were made, by the way, when the slide was out at the factory for slide bladder replacement.]

The problem was caused by a mis-aligned retract.  Front started in; rear did not.  The misalignment apparently bent one piece of the room extension kit.  HWH says that replacing part RX92648 would do the job. [See the bent part in the second photo. This shot was taken looking upward at the rear extension kit in the extended slide from below.]  But is replacing only that part even possible?

Bigger Question
None of that answers why this happened in the first place?  One opinion is that the synchronizing cylinder failed to do its job.  Another assessment said even if the sync failed, the high PSI switch should have stopped the pump from causing a misaligned retraction, and the more likely problem is a hose rupture internally creating a check-valve condition, or the cylinder (presumably the one in kit AP17876 in the rear) jammed.

Next Steps
Thoughts welcomed, including whether this work can be done without removing the slide.  We know we will have to remove the J-dinette and table.  The slide is currently in the extended position.  We also know from documentation that the system is constantly under pressure, but we are assuming there is a way to relieve the pressure (the four hydraulic valves in the basement bay?).  Our plan is to at least relieve the pressure and pull the slide in with a winch and/or several strong guys pushing from outside.  See the "Emergency Procedure" page attached.

With thanks always, to everyone who has been so helpful in the past.
The selected media item is not currently available.Richard & Susan Peck
____________________
1999 40' U320 "Bob Patrick"
(2000 4010 U320 WTFE Floor Plan, Single Slide)
Build #5567  |  MC #17522

Re: Need HWH Part(s) If You Have Them

Reply #1 –
If all else fails a good local welding/fabrication shop might be able to help you.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Need HWH Part(s) If You Have Them

Reply #2 –
Keith,

Thanks — that's actually a good (and reassuring) suggestion.  There is a great welding and fabrication shop in Mesa:  Cliff's on East Main.  I talked to Vaughn, who instantly read the the HWH schematic and knew what was needed. 

I appreciate the confirmation that a welding and fab shop might be the way to go.  With big thanks!
The selected media item is not currently available.Richard & Susan Peck
____________________
1999 40' U320 "Bob Patrick"
(2000 4010 U320 WTFE Floor Plan, Single Slide)
Build #5567  |  MC #17522

Re: Need HWH Part(s) If You Have Them

Reply #3 –
Once you remove the ram from the bracket it should be easy enough to straighten out.

Re: Need HWH Part(s) If You Have Them

Reply #4 –
If you remove it have a place with a plasma cutter , cut a new one or a water jet cnc shop

Re: Need HWH Part(s) If You Have Them

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Travelin' Man –
Once you remove the ram from the bracket it should be easy enough to straighten out.
[/quote
]I agree with traveling man, and I would add once it is straightened I would have fab shop add reinforcement to the bracket
DavidS --this is a great option if shop has plasma cutter or cnc water jet
just my thought
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Slide Retract Fail

Reply #6 –
Update for all:

Coach is now in the shop.  We will post a full report when we know the outcome.  We had to overcome several obstacles along the way that are worth knowing:  neither Coach-Net, nor the best local tow company with a long flatbed, would touch the coach until the slide was completely in (impossible).  The published Foretravel manual retraction procedure for a 1999 works—up to a point.  HWH can be hugely helpful when they know you are dead-in-the-water.  Don't leave home with a heavy duty "come along" (our coach did not have one and the previous owner reports not having one).
The selected media item is not currently available.Richard & Susan Peck
____________________
1999 40' U320 "Bob Patrick"
(2000 4010 U320 WTFE Floor Plan, Single Slide)
Build #5567  |  MC #17522

Re: Slide Retract Fail

Reply #7 –
When I had my slide out they told me they don't make the parts for it any longer. I was an 01 so I know the part you are talking about. I figure a fabrication shop should be able to make one for you. I had a come along in my coach all the time. I even put in a different anchor point closer to the middle.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Slide Retract Fail

Reply #8 –
Update #2 for all (especially owners of 1999-2001):

The shop has now taken the slide apart.  No, that didn't take three weeks.  Susan & I were out of state for two weeks. The shop also talked with HWH.  John S is right.  The ram assemblies are not available but can be rebuilt on request.  The shop is sending both of ours to HWH—the bent rear assembly, as well as the front to check it.  Three to four weeks and $1,800 per assembly. 

Just FYI for Chris and Travelin' Man, on closer inspection it looks like someone DID weld a V-shaped reinforcement to the arm/bracket on the front ram assembly.  See the photo attached to this post.

I'm still concerned about the underlying cause.  We don't want good assemblies installed only to have the same thing happen again.  See our first post, which included possible causes, but additional thoughts are welcomed.

We are also concerned, and have asked the shop to ask HWH, about the fact the part numbers on the two ram assemblies say that the rear assembly was installed in front for our slide, and the front ram assembly installed in the rear.  See schematic and photos attached to this post.  We know this swap didn't happen when we had the slide out to replace the air bladder.

We can't imagine the slide operated fine for 19 years if the ram assemblies weren't interchangeable and we don't know of any time the slide was out of the coach except for the air bladder replacement, but it's a curious question.  HWH OEM guide page (attached) seems to suggest they are identical?

We'll keep the Forum up to date as work progresses and we have more information.  Thanks always for the help the Forum has been to us so many times.  By the way, we do have .PDF files for the schematic and OEM guide if anyone wants them.  I only converted to .JPG here for fast viewing (so a .PDF didn't have to be downloaded and opened separately).
The selected media item is not currently available.Richard & Susan Peck
____________________
1999 40' U320 "Bob Patrick"
(2000 4010 U320 WTFE Floor Plan, Single Slide)
Build #5567  |  MC #17522

Re: Slide Retract Fail

Reply #9 –
Quote from: LookingWest –
Just FYI for Chris and Travelin' Man, on closer inspection it looks like someone DID weld a V-shaped reinforcement to the arm/bracket on the front ram assembly.  See the photo attached to this post.

I'm still concerned about the underlying cause.  We don't want good assemblies installed only to have the same thing happen again.  See our first post, which included possible causes, but additional thoughts are welcomed.
Don't have slides, so just my arm chair opinion:  I'd seriously consider adding reinforcement to the new arm they send you.  Make it look like the one with the welded V-shaped mod.  I can't see any downside to making the assemblies as rigid as possible.  Do it while everything is apart.

Just my 2 cents...
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Slide Retract Fail

Reply #11 –
I still say after disassembly, take it to a water jet company and have the pieces remade in a thicker steel. They can always harden it also pretty easy for more tinsel strength..

The Rams could be taken to any hydraulic place and have them rebuilt or order new ones.. hard pressed to spend $1800.00 I would think but worth a try or a look into

Re: Slide Retract Fail

Reply #12 –
My two rams rebuilt by hydraulic repair place near MOT. $125 ea,  one day turnaround. HWH said 3 weeks. Still working great- not sure but I think MOT uses this outfit now as 1sr choice Sorry don't have name- lots of farm/heavy equipment places that can do this work all over country
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Slide Retract Fail

Reply #13 –
Hello all,

This is the wrap-up post I promised on the slide retract fail. Hoping the final details are helpful to someone else on the Forum, should you ever encounter this problem.

Quick Summary of original problem: When we tried to retract the slide to leave our RV site in Mesa, it came partly in, unaligned. The front came in farther (1/3 to 1/2 the usual distance maybe) than the rear (1/8 to 1/10). This bent part of the rear ram assembly. The slide would no longer move either direction.

What Next: We normally would take the coach back to the factory in Nacogdoches for work like this, as we did for the slide bladder replacement in 2017. Since the slide could not be fully-retracted, however, that option was out. We had a local mobile tech attach his come-along to the anchor points between the dinette and the kitchen cabinet to ensure the slide could not move, and drove 7.2 miles at 10-15 mph on wide, flat, well-paved roads to the nearest quality shop: East Valley RV Specialists in Apache Junction, AZ.

What Then: East Valley RV removed the slide, then removed the ram assemblies from the coach body and sent them to HWH in Iowa for remanufacturing. Unless someone knows something we didn't learn — see an earlier post in this thread — these assemblies are no longer made, not in stock at Foretravel (we checked), and not in stock at HWH (hence the remanufacturing).  When the ram assemblies returned, East Valley fitted them to the coach body but tested them for proper operation before attaching to slide. After testing with the assemblies attached to the coach body and finding a solenoid that also needed attention, the slide was attached and carefully aligned. It is now perfectly aligned in the opening, has great clearance when the bladder is drawn down, and is working better than anytime since we purchased the coach.

What Else: I know, for those of you who are more mechanically accomplished than I am (that would be almost everyone on the Forum), the lack of detail in this post will be less-than-satisfying. But in an earlier post I promised to tell the end of the tale, and this was it. I'd also add that, for anyone on the Forum who is more like Susan & me — purchased a coach but never intended to maintain it yourself — locating a shop like East Valley was a real blessing! We have had very good work done at Tennessee RV in Knoxville, Oregon Motorcoach in Eugene, and the factory, of course. East Valley was the equal of them all, and in terms of customer communications and returning the coach in gorgeous shape, they are perhaps tops on our list! Coach care example: had all the carpets cleaned, including under the slide; they look like new. Highly recommended shop, fair pricing, people with integrity.

That's it. We're on the road again! A couple of photos attached, including an example of "East Valley Humor," when we went to visit the coach mid-way during the repair process.  ;-)
The selected media item is not currently available.Richard & Susan Peck
____________________
1999 40' U320 "Bob Patrick"
(2000 4010 U320 WTFE Floor Plan, Single Slide)
Build #5567  |  MC #17522

Re: Slide Retract Fail

Reply #14 –
Im glad you guys are back on the road. Sounds like a long ordeal.
Michael Hayley; Barry Brennan
2001 U320, 36', IFS, build #5909
Buster and Shelby, (Boxers)
 

Re: Slide Retract Fail

Reply #15 –
Thanks for the excellent write up and great photos. 
Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

The selected media item is not currently available.