Levelling & putting out the slide

[fastcatkerry]

Hi, we have a 2012 Sunset Trail Reserve 25RB. It has a Schwintek slide system that we had issues with last summer and had to have a major repair job done, cost over $1500 and it still doesn't work properly, and I'm wondering if maybe it might be the way we are using it. My question is, how does everyone set up their camper. Do you level it, put down the front and rear jacks and then put out the slide, or do you level it as much as you can with the tires and put out the slide then put the jacks down. Then when packing up, do you bring the slide in before the jacks or after? My husband tends to put alot of tension on the jacks and use them ALOT for leveling the trailer, and I think that twists the frame somewhat and makes the slide not work properly, thus making it come in crooked and possibly jam. I hold my breath every time we start to bring the slide in because I'm terrified it's going to fail and break the little plastic feet on the bottom again costing us another bunch of money don't have, and possibly derailing our whole camping season. Any information, assistance, advice is welcomed. This trailer is new to us, and we really are new to this type of slide so please don't be unkind. We're fairly new to trailering as well, use to tent trailers and the old type of slide that were pretty idiot proof. Didn't realize this one was any different. Thanks in advance.

[mdbeck1]

I've had a bumper pull trailer without slides and now have a fifth wheel with slides. I usually use the following procedure:
1. Level from side to side using blocks or the "banana" type shims under the wheels. It doesn't have to be perfect but get it pretty close.
2. Set wheel chocks
3. Unhook from truck and level the trailer from front to back.
4. Put down all stabilizers taking care to not put too much tension on the them. Check the model number and look up the specs. Most are used for stabilizing not lifting your trailer.
5. Put the slides out
6. Hook up electric, water, and sewer
7. On calm days put out the canopy
8. Enjoy a cold beverage of your choice.


If you are worried about the slides look them over and see if you can safely find a location to watch the mechanisms while working them. If it looks funny you should probably have someone adjust them. Setting the trailer up should not be a stressful operation.

[Pinesman]

I certainly do not mean to sound like a smart a-- but you only have one "jack" on the trailer. The other things are stabilizers. If your husband is using the stabilizers to lift the trailer too much, it could be twisting the frame causing your slide problems. Years ago I even shattered a window trying to level a trailer with the stabilizers. I try to get the trailer as level as possible using something under the tires and the front jack, snug down the stabilizers, then extend the slide

[Aceallenk]

I basically do the same, level left to right while hooked up, then unhook and front to back with the tongue jack, put stabilizers down so there touching and then add about a 1/2 inch pressure so there just snug, then put slide out, canopy, etc, enjoyment. My trailer slide acts up sometimes too, when bringing it in, Momma bear has to pull on it a bit as I push the button or vice-versa, and when I say a bit I mean with the baby finger just to say a bit, but that's not a big deal with us, just part of owning a trailer, they all have a few little hiccups and seems we never get them perfect. No matter how much we try, but that is what maintenance is about and I putz around on our trailer all the time, seems like i can always find something to upgrade, mod, change, tinker. Mother nature kinda thing helps a person find those things, lol.

[dagst1]

Level side to side - unhitch - level front to back then put in X chocks then slides. Slides last out first in. One thing we started doing several years back is to check to make sure the electric works before we unhitch. After having to hitch back up to move because the electricity does not work we always check first. Also when plugged in the landing gear runs a little faster.

[Papa-T]

Originally Posted by dagst1

Level side to side - unhitch - level front to back then put in X chocks then slides. Slides last out first in. One thing we started doing several years back is to check to make sure the electric works before we unhitch. After having to hitch back up to move because the electricity does not work we always check first. Also when plugged in the landing gear runs a little faster.

I agree. Nothing worse than being set up and then finding out you have no electricity.

[BLtravels]

Ditto to what Pinesman stated. Never ever use your stabilizers to level the trailer. They are not made for that and you can end up with additional damage and repair other than the just the slides.
I also recommend getting your trailer level first and then put the slides out.

[sllamp]

We level first and slide second. I should mention that when we bought ours new, the slide tipped horribly when bringing in the slide (like it was going to fall off the fifth wheel. The manufacturer admitted poor design and created an additional stabilizer under the slide in. The dealer installed it and it's worked great ever since. We bought it new. It's a 2012 Crossroads Cruiser 27RKX.

[Tonemeister]

We have the exact same trailer as you, and had to replace the entire Schwintek mechanism after owning our trailer for only 2 years at an approximate cost of $2,000.00CDN! So we are also bit squeamish every time we either "extend" or "retract' the slide. One thing we are absolutely sure to do is get trailer as level as possible (front/back/side-side) before opening slide once at campground. I like to also hook up shore power after trailer has been levelled, just to make sure I have max power from battery (in case it's a bit low) before finally opening slide.

I was told specifically by a Lippert tech that EACH & EVERY time you either OPEN OR CLOSE slide to HOLD DOWN slide button for a count of 10 seconds before releasing. This syncronizes the 2 slide motors to 0 (zero). DO NOT partially open slide (to clear bathroom door, say) at any time, same thing when you are closing, close slide all the way, with no stopping until it is firmly closed and again HOLDING close button for 10 second count to "zero" motors. I used to use the remote to close slide while standing outside the trailer, and found sometimes the remote would "lose connection" with the main board & slide would slow down bit, then continue. So I now only use the hardwired switch at trailer inside panel. When leaving campsite, close slide FIRST, then retract stabilizers & finally hook up to truck.

Unfortunately we had to learn the hard way. Salesperson didn't even mention slide operation at all on delivery PDI. I don't think any salespeople are aware of this little tip about the Schwintek slide rooms! Hope this comes across clearly....Happy travels!

[fastcatkerry]

Originally Posted by Tonemeister

We have the exact same trailer as you, and had to replace the entire Schwintek mechanism after owning our trailer for only 2 years at an approximate cost of $2,000.00CDN! So we are also bit squeamish every time we either "extend" or "retract' the slide. One thing we are absolutely sure to do is get trailer as level as possible (front/back/side-side) before opening slide once at campground. I like to also hook up shore power after trailer has been levelled, just to make sure I have max power from battery (in case it's a bit low) before finally opening slide.

I was told specifically by a Lippert tech that EACH & EVERY time you either OPEN OR CLOSE slide to HOLD DOWN slide button for a count of 10 seconds before releasing. This syncronizes the 2 slide motors to 0 (zero). DO NOT partially open slide (to clear bathroom door, say) at any time, same thing when you are closing, close slide all the way, with no stopping until it is firmly closed and again HOLDING close button for 10 second count to "zero" motors. I used to use the remote to close slide while standing outside the trailer, and found sometimes the remote would "lose connection" with the main board & slide would slow down bit, then continue. So I now only use the hardwired switch at trailer inside panel. When leaving campsite, close slide FIRST, then retract stabilizers & finally hook up to truck.

Unfortunately we had to learn the hard way. Salesperson didn't even mention slide operation at all on delivery PDI. I don't think any salespeople are aware of this little tip about the Schwintek slide rooms! Hope this comes across clearly....Happy travels!

Thanks, we already had the slide mechanism replaced last summer, $1500 later and it still came in crooked last fall when we were packing it up for the winter. I still hold my breath every time we bring in the slide. It goes out fine, but coming back in, one side always seems to slow down and it starts to come in crooked and I panic. I've tried to get my husband to trade it in on a new trailer this spring, but he's sure it'll be fine this year. Lets hope it is, and we aren't stuck somewhere with it half way in and off the track (the way it was last summer). Thinking about putting the Good sam extended warranty on it just so we have some coverage. At least now we know how to take the motors out if we have to to get it back in, if we have an emergency.

[extreemthrottle]

well i just had a valuable learning lesson!
we just got ours, and usually shes inside setting up with the slide out, and im levelling the trailer as best i can. guess i need to refigure this!
i was told the by the salesman "levelling jacks" were for that purpose.
i bought the stabilizers to go between the tires, but havent used them yet.
. dont want to hijack the tread so i'll start another

[mdbeck1]

Another thing that we use is a Levelmate Pro. It's a small module that you mount in the RV (powered by a CR2032 battery) and connects to your phone via Bluetooth. Get your RV as level as possible at home (or somewhere you can spend time leveling it) and then save the settings. After that you just connect the app and it will tell you if you are level left-right and forward-back.

Do the left-right level first. It's the hardest. Place wheel chocks then level front-back (FB). FB is easily done with the landing gear. Then stabilizers, then slides. Then unlock the RV door.

[gregtx]

Sounds like slide is still not adjusted properly..... we use our slide, hooked up to pick up, sometimes before leveling, sometimes after leveling, never has made a difference..... never have had a problem with slide.... one of the few things that have worked "flawless".