RP-179 slideout
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5844
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Topic: RP-179 slideout
Posted By: lamarkeiko
Subject: RP-179 slideout
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2015 at 3:46pm
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I just bought a 2015 RP-179 two days ago. During my walk through and demonstration of the slideout operation, I brought up the question of how to operate the slideout manually in the event of no power or motor breakdown. The service rep stated that there was no way to bring the slide back in manually, and commented that I could tow the trailer with the slide out. I thought that very unusual at the time, but I didn't question him further. Since I've been home, and have been reading through the manual, Pg 18 & 19 tells how to operate the slide manually in the event of a power failure. Could a RP-179 owner let me know what the true story is. And if I can operate the slide manually, where is the hydraulic landing gear? Thanks Lamar ------------- Lamar |
Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2015 at 4:03pm
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Welcome. Yes, all slides can be operated manually and no, you should never tow with the slide extended. I would recommend you find a new dealership for future service, if you can. They sound like the one I bought my pod from - where the service staff completely botched two jobs when I had left written instructions. Bottom line, your service staff doesn't know a basic rule about campers which makes them suspect on the more complicated stuff. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: lamarkeiko
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2015 at 4:18pm
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Thanks for the quick reply back. I'm going out right now to try and figure out how to operate the slide manually. Hopefully no special tools required. ------------- Lamar |
Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2015 at 7:10pm
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Everything that Doug said x2. Its your dealership that's going to make or break how your camping experience goes. Run as fast as you can away from that dealership. ------------- Ron & Shirley 2020 Tacoma 2012 177 rpod |
Posted By: Kickstart
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2015 at 7:13pm
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Our Kodiak, like the RP179 has a Schwintek Slide system. We received a Lippert RV Component Manual and pretty comprehensive Owner's Manual with the Kodiak. Each has a lot of info on the Schwintek slide included. This is one area where Dutchman is better than what we found from Forest River.
A few other things: Look on YouTube. There's a lot of Schwintek info there. Also, the guy who did the walkthrough for us with the Kodiak was also the shop Schwintek technition, and he stressed not getting into the habit of running the Schwintek in or out partially. Unless necessary, he said to make sure you run it all the way out or all of the way in with no stops. If your tech didn't show you how to lube the slide track and motors, then this is also found on YouTube. Although he said that something like WD 40 would work, he recommended a PTFE lube, which was Ok by me, as I've always been a TRI Flow guy. ------------- '10 RP 175-Replaced by 2014 Kodiak 173 QBSL '12 Toyota Tundra '05 Sportster (half a Harley) Retired-We're on Beach Time! |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2015 at 7:36pm
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My 2¢...First step is to properly identify your slide and then source the correct manual. There are several types and the procedures are different for each one. If you can confirm the manufacture is Lippert, and the slide you have is the Schwintek wall slide, there a few things you can do before having to disconnect the electrical on the motors and simply push the slide back in, which of course you will need help to do. -another reference requires the motors be disengaged by removing a screw and lifting the motor out of its seat before pushing...
This link http://lci1.com/support-center - Technical Support Center and Videos may be helpful. I can't speak specifically about the 179 because I have a 178 and it has an "Over the Floor Slide" Good luck, come on back and let us know what you learn. EDIT: The link is mis-behaving... after you click it, on the left side menu go to: "Slide-Out Selections", then "In Wall Slide-Out" Then "Manuals" ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: LePodders
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2015 at 8:25am
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I was told by our dealer you have to remove the soft panel on the left of the fridge, unlock the motor??, and manually push the slide in. I havent looked at the manual yet. But I am definently curious how to get slide in in case of an issue. ------------- Keenan, Kathryn, Millie, Rio & Cali (2015 r pod 179) Poddy by Nature |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2015 at 9:18am
This is consistent with what I have read...although there may be two motors, one on each slide. The manual suggests there are other steps to override before having to disengage motors and pushing. ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2015 at 10:19am
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There are videos of how to manually operate the Schwintek slide as well as pdfs for it. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: lamarkeiko
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2015 at 12:28pm
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Thanks for all the interest and replies back. I've watched several of the U Tube videos on disconnecting the motors, and doing the manual overide with the controller circuit board. Here is what I have found, or better said, not found on my RP-179. With the slide out, I can see where it is probably very easy to peal back the rubber seal to access the single screw that holds the motors on each side. I never physically tried that on my trailer though. The problem I have is that even with those screws removed, and the slide in a completely open position, once I go back inside to pull back the rubber seal and lift up the motors to disingage from the tract. That can't be done, because the inside framework of the slide prevents access to the motors. With the slide stuck about halfway or all the way in the motors could probably be removed. I was able to see the motors when the slide was in. My biggest fear would be to have the slide stuck all the way out. The other videos covering the manual overide on the controller sounds like the first thing to try in case of a stuck slide. I don't know where that circuit board is located, so if any one knows, please let me know. I think we need more specific slide information just for the RP-179. Lamar ------------- Lamar |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2015 at 2:10pm
Got one showing it being done on a POD? ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: LePodders
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2015 at 2:30pm
 these are snaps can be removed to remove the entire panel for access to motor------------- Keenan, Kathryn, Millie, Rio & Cali (2015 r pod 179) Poddy by Nature |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2015 at 2:41pm
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I was told the same info that LePodders have passed along. I was also told that once you have manually pushed it in you must use a board or something to brace it closed so it doesnt slide back open when you move the camper. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: TigerPawd
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2015 at 6:29pm
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If you unscrew the wooden panel under the fridge, you will see a little control box with instructions on how to do the override. Be careful though - there is some pretty untidy wiring under there. I tried to bungee them out of the way, but decided it wasn't a good idea. I was a little concerned about something falling off the counter during a tow, falling into that space, and then crunching that panel, so I put hinges on it. I really don't want to get routine access - just a way to protect that panel. ------------- Joan, Jerry and the two Pugs 2015 R-Pod 179 |
Posted By: lamarkeiko
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2015 at 10:07pm
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I located the slide control panel. It's not under the fridge. Its inside an arm to the dinett seating area. It looks just like the U tube videos with the same instructions printed on front. As far as unsnapping the panel that covers the slide motors, I did some pulling where it looked like snaps could be. Nothing gave free. I'm afraid to pull too hard for fear of breaking something. I have some pictures I would like to attach, but I can't figure out how to do that. Lamar ------------- Lamar |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 19 Feb 2015 at 10:22pm
------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: lamarkeiko
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2015 at 11:13am
Thanks.     Here's my attempt at posting the images.------------- Lamar |
Posted By: lamarkeiko
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2015 at 11:19am
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Wow, those are big picture files. I thought I made them small enough. ------------- Lamar |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2015 at 11:25am
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Looks good...OK so you are saying that you can't get to the motors when the slide is fully open because the upholstery trim with the big buttons is in the way?
------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: lamarkeiko
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2015 at 12:17pm
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Yes, that's the problem. Still don't know how hard it will be to access the motors once the trim was removed. Lamar ------------- Lamar |
Posted By: lamarkeiko
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2015 at 12:25pm
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On my original post, I mentioned that the person doing the walk through with me stated that I could pull the R-Pod with the slide extended. Nobody comented on this specifically, but in a stuck open slide situation, could this be done without damage? ------------- Lamar |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2015 at 12:33pm
Check techntreks initial response, no...you should never ever move the POD with the slide out. The slide room and POD frame are not designed to handle the forces that will be generated by the acceleration and breaking and turning and going over railroad tracks...etc. ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: TigerPawd
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2015 at 3:00pm
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Hmmm. Looking at those pictures of another #179, that slide-out control box is in a different place vs ours. On ours, the box is behind the fridge panel (as mentioned above), so it can be accessed with the slide-out in or out. Sounds like someone realized that inside that hassock thing isn't a good plan. FYI, ours is among the first of the 2015 run (June 2014), but has the slightly older color scheme. It appears the control box change was made fairly recently. Incidentally, that roundy section in front of those hassock thing is a fine place for john paper - just be sure you have a spare roll available in case your slide-out is stuck in.... ------------- Joan, Jerry and the two Pugs 2015 R-Pod 179 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2015 at 7:00pm
I did in my first reply to you. It was part of the reason I suggested you find a new dealer for service since they suggested that you could. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: lamarkeiko
Date Posted: 20 Feb 2015 at 8:33pm
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techntrek, Your right. I looked back at your post. I think I may have missed the comment because of the separation of that line from the part about looking for a new dealership. ------------- Lamar |
Posted By: mrharrybay
Date Posted: 31 May 2015 at 10:01am
| So looking at these posts I can assume that manual slide operation is not done with a crank, as indicated in my generic owners manual? |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 31 May 2015 at 11:47am
Nope. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 31 May 2015 at 2:00pm
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No hand crank on the 179 Schwintek slide.
------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: shortstrike
Date Posted: 31 May 2015 at 4:04pm
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I would really like to know who your dealer was? I'm getting a lot of great information out of this post but my guess is that we would be talking about something else if your dealer knew what they were doing. I am planning to purchase a 179 in Oregon late Summer or early Fall of this year. I would like to know which dealer to avoid. I know in Southern Oregon there aren't many. It would probably be more appropriate to post your dealer comments in the "Dealer Reviews and Comments" section. Either way, I for one, would like to hear what you have to say. Thanks and good luck. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 31 May 2015 at 9:23pm
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Welcome. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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