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Topic: 2001 U320 Slide Adjustment?? (Read 2347 times) previous topic - next topic

2001 U320 Slide Adjustment??

Still getting used to our FT and had an issue with the slide.

We've only operated the slide 2 times and both times we've had issues getting it to close all the way on the bottom half. The first time was just our driveway and I was able to push it in while my wife operated, took about 3 or 4 tries and if finally shut all the way.

The 2nd time was last weekend, it was the maiden voyage and for the most part didn't have any issues....until leaving  🤬

Once again the slide would not close all the way on the bottom half, not by much...maybe half n inch. Once again i pushed outside and finally got it in, but his time it wouldn't let me put her in gear so assumed the switch is hay wire.

At one point i looked underneath the slide and noticed that the locking pin had punched a hole in the fiberglass (picture attached) just next to the steel locking hole in the bottom of slide, essentially at some point it had engaged before the slide was all the way in. This was probably from me telling my wife to keep holding the switch down while i tried to push in the slide. This hole could have already been there from the PV owner but who knows. They never mentioned having any issues with the slide.

So I guess my question is, where can I attempt to adjust the slide on this coach. This one has a hydraulic ram on the ceiling just inside the bay door that is under the slide. I'm hoping that i can just adjust it so it retracts that 1/2" or so that i need on the bottom so it works correctly.

The coach is in the shop now for something else but wanted some ammo ahead of time so I can tackle as soon as i get it home since were leaving for another weekend jaunt in a couple of weeks, in fact we might be picking it up at the shop and heading directly to our destination so i'll be working on it at the camp site.

Thanks for the help in advanced  ;D

Re: 2001 U320 Slide Adjustment??

Reply #1 –
Following.  I have the exact same issue and have an appt at FT in 3 weeks for repairs.  What shop are you in?  Woody.

Re: 2001 U320 Slide Adjustment??

Reply #2 –
number one - check for full deflation of slide bladder prior to pulling in the slide - if the bladder is not deflated, the drag created by the bladder on the slide often causes this condition

if you aux compressor is weak or not working this will cause poor inflation AND deflation of the bladder.

It sometimes helps if you run the engine and build pressure in the coach before you attempt to operate slide, it helps the aux compressor in my coach -

Re: 2001 U320 Slide Adjustment??

Reply #3 –
In a 2001 coach there is no interconnection between the HWH air tank and the bladder manifold.  Unless there has been modifications made or chack valves have failed.

Make sure the HWH hydraulic oil tank is full. Your actuator arms may need lubrication.  The black marks on the bottom of your slide should not be there. Something is rubbing that should not be. You should never hear any squealing of the bladder rubbing on the slide, ever!  Wait unit the time controlled yellow light cones on and the visually check front and rear ends and upper corners when the slide is in for clearance, you will see light and about 1/4" of it.  Then extend or retract the slide.

Re: 2001 U320 Slide Adjustment??

Reply #4 –
So the vacuum system will indicate ready when in reality it is not. The amber light comes on by a timer indicating a vacuum should be present regardless if it is correct. So first place the keyed switch on HWH slide panel to the on position and wait for amber light. Mine takes 41 seconds. Then walk out side and view the gap between the seal and the slide. It should not be in contact anywhere.
To take the guessing out of it I installed a combination gauge on the bladder line to show pressure or vacuum available during operation. New style bladders need 20 inches of vacuum to fully retract. And operate at 12 psi normally parked and going down the road. If your aux air compressor is weak it will not produce the needed vacuum. New bladders also require a improved vacuum system
Scott

Re: 2001 U320 Slide Adjustment??

Reply #5 –
The neutral safety indicates that the lock pins have not been been locked and feed back information received from them.
The Hole was caused by either a failed upper slide sensor seeing that the slide is fully retracted or the top being pushed in. Is the hole on the bottom im assuming? The system will failsafe if the slide is not in the upper position setting two position sensors next to the upper lock actuators. So you have two holes on the bottom?
Scott

Re: 2001 U320 Slide Adjustment??

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Pyolet –
Following.  I have the exact same issue and have an appt at FT in 3 weeks for repairs.  What shop are you in?  Woody.


It's not in the shop for the slide, he specializes in chassis work...having the steering box rebuilt and some other stuff. Keep me posted on what they find...if I don't figure it out first. 😁

Re: 2001 U320 Slide Adjustment??

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Tim Fiedler –
number one - check for full deflation of slide bladder prior to pulling in the slide - if the bladder is not deflated, the drag created by the bladder on the slide often causes this condition

if you aux compressor is weak or not working this will cause poor inflation AND deflation of the bladder.

It sometimes helps if you run the engine and build pressure in the coach before you attempt to operate slide, it helps the aux compressor in my coach -

Definitely not the issue, I see tons of day light the whole perimeter...and tanks were full. I was warned about that already 👍

Re: 2001 U320 Slide Adjustment??

Reply #8 –
Quote from: dsd –
The neutral safety indicates that the lock pins have not been been locked and feed back information received from them.
The Hole was caused by either a failed upper slide sensor seeing that the slide is fully retracted or the top being pushed in. Is the hole on the bottom im assuming? The system will failsafe if the slide is not in the upper position setting two position sensors next to the upper lock actuators. So you have two holes on the bottom?
Scott

The hole I mentioned and pictured is on the bottom of the slide, there's only one .I was trying to force the slide in the last little bit while my wife was holding the switch down so maybe that's how the hole got there. I was pushing it in far enough to trick it into thinking it was close but then it would pop back out a little and maybe that's when the pin was activating?? 🤷‍♂️

What do you mean by this..." The system will failsafe if the slide is not in the upper position setting two position sensors next to the upper lock actuators."

What do you mean by "slide not in the upper position"?  Wouldn't the upper and lower sensors need to be activated or is there only sensors on the top?

Re: 2001 U320 Slide Adjustment??

Reply #9 –
Quote from: dsd –
So the vacuum system will indicate ready when in reality it is not. The amber light comes on by a timer indicating a vacuum should be present regardless if it is correct. So first place the keyed switch on HWH slide panel to the on position and wait for amber light. Mine takes 41 seconds. Then walk out side and view the gap between the seal and the slide. It should not be in contact anywhere.
To take the guessing out of it I installed a combination gauge on the bladder line to show pressure or vacuum available during operation. New style bladders need 20 inches of vacuum to fully retract. And operate at 12 psi normally parked and going down the road. If your aux air compressor is weak it will not produce the needed vacuum. New bladders also require a improved vacuum system
Scott

So you just installed a "T" at the main block then added the gauge? If I search up "combo gauge" online will that point me to a vacuum/pressure gauge? I like the idea...As far as I can tell my 12v compressor works fine...it builds up 90psi for the zip-dee just fine.

Re: 2001 U320 Slide Adjustment??

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
In a 2001 coach there is no interconnection between the HWH air tank and the bladder manifold.  Unless there has been modifications made or chack valves have failed.

Make sure the HWH hydraulic oil tank is full. Your actuator arms may need lubrication.  The black marks on the bottom of your slide should not be there. Something is rubbing that should not be. You should never hear any squealing of the bladder rubbing on the slide, ever!  Wait unit the time controlled yellow light cones on and the visually check front and rear ends and upper corners when the slide is in for clearance, you will see light and about 1/4" of it.  Then extend or retract the slide.

I wonder if The black marks are from rubbing on the bladder? We've only used the slide twice since We've had it and I always made sure there was plenty of daylight around the perimeter before operating. I wonder if the previous owner did that? The hydraulic oil level is the first thing I checked the first time this happened and it is good.

Where are the actuator arms on this coach? There is a hydraulic ram in the bay on the ceiling right under the slide. Is that one of the actuator arms? I know other years there are hydraulic rams or arms on either side of the slide on the inside that you get to by removing the trim, but I know our year that's not the case. So where exactly are the actuator arms?

Also, what did you mean when you said there was no Interconnection between the HWH air tank and the bladder manifold? Does that mean that the bladder gets its air directly from the 12 V compressor? Or does the bladder get its air from the main tanks and then only use the 12 V compressor when the main tanks are too low?

Re: 2001 U320 Slide Adjustment??

Reply #11 –
Hopefully this will make sense.
Slide extended bladder inflated
Key switch turned to on
          1 timer starts running to illuminate amber ready light. 41 seconds
          2 by solenoid control air is shut off to slide and vacuum is applied
Once amber light is illuminated you push and hold retract ( verify bladder retracted on four side from out side)
            1 slide stow sensors do not see a signal because slide is out, because of this pressure is applied only to retract actuators
            2 slide starts to retract
              3 slide has fully retracted and both slide stowed sensors on top only see signal and open the lock actuator solenoid and lock actuators extend 4
                    A. If no stow or lock signal pump continues to run but is being overloaded
                      B lock actuators extend and each one has a open closed switch in each actuator total four
                4. Slide has retracted and computer has been watching for a retracted stowed dual indication and four lock actuator in locked position then finally 3000 psi shuts pump off with the retract still selected and pushed.

If any of these steps are not completed it will not allow transmission to engage unless in override. In your manual they expect one continuous motion. I was able to operate my slide mechanism with the slide removed and retracted to open the lock actuators to clean. If the stow sensors are engaged during the retract cycle regardless of position they immediately extend regardless of actual partial extend position. Vacuum is not used to prevent movement or as a input, only assumed, the amber light is strictly a timer and expecting vacuum has occurred regardless if it has. Curious your aux compressor is the larger 90 psi. Very nice. Mine is not.

Re: 2001 U320 Slide Adjustment??

Reply #12 –
With the side opened you can look underneath at the front and the back and see a opening. Your rams are inside. I would reccomend learning the system in the HWH manuals. Very similar to the 600 but actually a 680. Picture shows actuator with vertical adjustment shims and centering guide blocks. Guide roller in the rear.

Re: 2001 U320 Slide Adjustment??

Reply #13 –
Quote from: dsd –
Hopefully this will make sense.
Slide extended bladder inflated
Key switch turned to on
          1 timer starts running to illuminate amber ready light. 41 seconds
          2 by solenoid control air is shut off to slide and vacuum is applied
Once amber light is illuminated you push and hold retract ( verify bladder retracted on four side from out side)
            1 slide stow sensors do not see a signal because slide is out, because of this pressure is applied only to retract actuators
            2 slide starts to retract
              3 slide has fully retracted and both slide stowed sensors on top only see signal and open the lock actuator solenoid and lock actuators extend 4
                    A. If no stow or lock signal pump continues to run but is being overloaded
                      B lock actuators extend and each one has a open closed switch in each actuator total four
                4. Slide has retracted and computer has been watching for a retracted stowed dual indication and four lock actuator in locked position then finally 3000 psi shuts pump off with the retract still selected and pushed.

If any of these steps are not completed it will not allow transmission to engage unless in override. In your manual they expect one continuous motion. I was able to operate my slide mechanism with the slide removed and retracted to open the lock actuators to clean. If the stow sensors are engaged during the retract cycle regardless of position they immediately extend regardless of actual partial extend position. Vacuum is not used to prevent movement or as a input, only assumed, the amber light is strictly a timer and expecting vacuum has occurred regardless if it has. Curious your aux compressor is the larger 90 psi. Very nice. Mine is not.
Thanks for the run through. So my compressor has been upgraded? I thought it would have been OEM because it's needed for the awning operation.

Re: 2001 U320 Slide Adjustment??

Reply #14 –
Quote from: dsd –
With the side opened you can look underneath at the front and the back and see a opening. Your rams are inside. I would reccomend learning the system in the HWH manuals. Very similar to the 600 but actually a 680
I'll definitely need to dig out the manuals and bone up...and learn from folks like you 👍

Re: 2001 U320 Slide Adjustment??

Reply #15 –
Your room in sensors are on the top so they thought the room was in and sent the pins to locking.  The room was not in on the bottom thus the hole. I wonder if you have a glide that is off or you have a shim that is blocking it. This should not happen. You will need to look under the slide from the inside in the slide room. You can reach the shims that way.  I had an issue that it would not pin and could not see the slide in so I had to adjust the sensors and then at HWH they found a steel screw instead of brass that was causing the issues.  also it can be many different issues but the marks on the bottom of you r slide tell me it is dragging so that is where I would look first

Re: 2001 U320 Slide Adjustment??

Reply #16 –
Quote from: dlkj07 –
Thanks for the run through. So my compressor has been upgraded? I thought it would have been OEM because it's needed for the awning operation.

Most all of us got rid of that air awning and went back to a manual ZipDee awning.  The original compressor that Foretravel installed on these coaches were not large enough to handle the air awnings and hence the issues many of us were having with that.  I  was told this by ZipDee and may be the reason you have the larger compressor in your coach.  A photo of it would help, but most likely, the PO installed the new compressor!  The slides have been a love hate relationship with just about every manufacturer and owner for years.  Lot's of different ideas on how these should work and it took awhile for Foretavel to come up with one that they were happy with as well as the owners.  Like Scott, DSD mentioned, lots of things have to happen for the slide to work and putting eyeballs on the gaps, etc. is most important.  Hope this helps!

Re: 2001 U320 Slide Adjustment??

Reply #17 –
Quote from: John S –
Your room in sensors are on the top so they thought the room was in and sent the pins to locking.  The room was not in on the bottom thus the hole. I wonder if you have a glide that is off or you have a shim that is blocking it. This should not happen. You will need to look under the slide from the inside in the slide room. You can reach the shims that way.  I had an issue that it would not pin and could not see the slide in so I had to adjust the sensors and then at HWH they found a steel screw instead of brass that was causing the issues.  also it can be many different issues but the marks on the bottom of you r slide tell me it is dragging so that is where I would look first
Definitely gonna take a closer look at what's making that mark once I get back to her, thanks for the insight.

Re: 2001 U320 Slide Adjustment??

Reply #18 –
Quote from: juicesqueezer –
Most all of us got rid of that air awning and went back to a manual ZipDee awning.  The original compressor that Foretravel installed on these coaches were not large enough to handle the air awnings and hence the issues many of us were having with that.  I  was told this by ZipDee and may be the reason you have the larger compressor in your coach.  A photo of it would help, but most likely, the PO installed the new compressor!  The slides have been a love hate relationship with just about every manufacturer and owner for years.  Lot's of different ideas on how these should work and it took awhile for Foretavel to come up with one that they were happy with as well as the owners.  Like Scott, DSD mentioned, lots of things have to happen for the slide to work and putting eyeballs on the gaps, etc. is most important.  Hope this helps!

We've only used the awning once so far and it worked perfectly, when I get her back I'll take I picture of the compressor and maybe someone on here can let me know if it's been upgraded.

I've been an RVer for 20 years but only had to deal with Fifth wheel slides (which pose there own issues) so this is a new challenge and I'll lick it once I dive in.

Re: 2001 U320 Slide Adjustment??

Reply #19 –
Quote from: dlkj07 –
I wonder if The black marks are from rubbing on the bladder? We've only used the slide twice since We've had it and I always made sure there was plenty of daylight around the perimeter before operating. I wonder if the previous owner did that? The hydraulic oil level is the first thing I checked the first time this happened and it is good.

Where are the actuator arms on this coach? There is a hydraulic ram in the bay on the ceiling right under the slide. Is that one of the actuator arms? I know other years there are hydraulic rams or arms on either side of the slide on the inside that you get to by removing the trim, but I know our year that's not the case. So where exactly are the actuator arms?

Also, what did you mean when you said there was no Interconnection between the HWH air tank and the bladder manifold? Does that mean that the bladder gets its air directly from the 12 V compressor? Or does the bladder get its air from the main tanks and then only use the 12 V compressor when the main tanks are too low?

Actuator arms are in what looks like an arm rest box at the front and a similar box at the rear of the J couch in the back. The ram in the basement bay is for coordinating the two end A frame actuators.

The HWH compressor fills the slide air tank which supplies air to the bladder manifold(sj. The compressor also supplies air directly to the leveling manifolds which are used when manually or automatically leveling the coach.

The air line #57 has a check valve in line which isolates the compressor, the HWH tank, and the bladder manifold from any other air source. If this check valve is leaking or has failed then engine compressed air or air from an outside source could leak into this part of the air system.

It is possible your air system has been modified from it's original state. It is worth the time to understand how it is supposed to work and see if it has been changed.