slide-out cameo f37cksls problem

The full room slide-out on my 2011 cameo f37cksls will not retract.  I am attempting to determine the slide-out system used that year in order to troubleshoot the problem further.

Slide-out extended smoothly yesterday but will not retract.  Batteries tested as fully charged and good.  Attached to truck power as well.  The other two slides work ok.  The micro switch on the bedroom door is active and OK.  Lights dim when power switch is pressed to bring slide-out in.  Fuses checked out ok and no breakers appear tripped.  Apparently there is not a manual way to retract the full room slide on this year and model from what I have been able to determine from my internet research.

Interested in any ideas?  My thought is if I knew manufacturer I could make contact and troubleshoot further.  And I am attempting to schedule a mobile RV service to look at the problem – reliable mobile RV repair is hard to come by and I would like to get the slide in so I can tow to a dealer.

Gordon

B.W.Gentry
Owner/Admin
2007 Carri-Lite XTRM5
Breckenridge, TX

Topic

[JohnD222ParticipantTopics - 8Replies - 518Total - 526]

Gordon,

I think this is the same chain driven slide much like the fws model, just not so long.  The toggel to unlock the slide lock has zero function on that chain drive.

You must remove the two black panel walls in the main storage area to access the lock, and chain drive motor etc that are just above the furnace.

I will send you a pm with my phone number  to walk you through it.  I am on the east coast

All that said, dimming lights lead me to believe you have weak batteries, or the motor is loose in its mounts and finding up.  Are you on shore power?  Do you have big doors? If so, do they work?  They draw as much power as the chain motor drive.

Talk tomorrow

John

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

[CLOC-AdminKeymasterKeymaster]

John,

Thanks for your response.  I was with business clients yesterday.

I was not aware of a chain drive but anything is possible.

Gordon

 

B.W.Gentry
Owner/Admin
2007 Carri-Lite XTRM5
Breckenridge, TX

[JohnD222ParticipantTopics - 8Replies - 518Total - 526]

Gordon,

 

You can try the brake switch above the slide switch.  Flip it on the opposit position versus where it and the other slide lock switches are positioned.  The try pushing the slide in by hand.

whatever you do, do not to put that lock switch back into its current position before you hook up to go. The slide will come out if there is any functionality to that switch.

john

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

[CLOC-AdminKeymasterKeymaster]

John,

Thanks for your thoughts and responses.

The snow storm we had here in Santa Fe this week finally mostly melted and a technician worked with me this morning.

We manually retracted the slide and he has ordered a new motor.  You were absolutely right about the chain drives – Actually there are three chain drives off the motor for the full room slide out on the f37cksls model.  The motor and chain drive are just toward the front of the unit (front of the furnace).  And the nut for the manual retract was on the side of the motor housing.  I have learned a great deal from this experience about the rig.

Again, I am appreciative of your feedback and responses.  If the weather had been better and my client demands less I might have gotten there on my own but mechanical issues are not my strong suit.

Thanks,

Gordon

 

B.W.Gentry
Owner/Admin
2007 Carri-Lite XTRM5
Breckenridge, TX

[JohnD222ParticipantTopics - 8Replies - 518Total - 526]

Gordon,

When you find a motor please post information about the supplier, and if known, the cost.  That will be invaluable information for others, maybe even me.

I think that Al-Ko fabricated the gears and slide assemblies and had those motors built or maybe in house.  Lippert bought them out a few years ago and gradually discontinued many of their product lines.  So a source would be invaluable to other Carriage, Cameo and maybe even early model Lifestyle owners.  and don’t toss the old motor.  It might be rebuildable but probably at a greater expense than a new one.

I would be interested to know if your slide lock switch worked or if the tech simply turned that nut on the end of the motor shaft without removing the brake.  It has been known to break off if turned without the brake off or removed.  Also, was there already a hole in the back wall panel of your main storage so he could just crank it in, or did he need to remove the wall panel to get to that nut?

I suspect that the gear and chain assembly is the same on our models.  The motor is in the middle connected to a center sprocket driving an upper and lower gear.  On mine everything from the steps on back, I.e., behind the motor run on a shaft connected to the lower sprocket.  The shaft that moves the bed is connected to the upper sprocket.  Yes I have a bedroom door switch.  That switch quit working and needed a replacement a few months ago.  I did both of the other two under the garbage can at the same time.  (Same switch but wired differently)

the “relay fix” and heavier wires from the battery described in other strings greatly relieves strain on the motor.  150% better performance.

Good luck in the snow.  I remember being snowed in for 3 days/nights in Cheyanne when the interstate was closed…

John

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

[CLOC-AdminKeymasterKeymaster]

John,

The tech brought in the slide manually.  Did not use brake switch.  At first try the gears were not engaging but on further effort they did and he was able with socket wrench to bring in easily.  The motor identification plate was covered in black spray paint which was apparently used to paint the frame structure.  There was no access to the motor for manual retraction; had to remove the ‘basement’ wall.

That was done Thursday and no follow up with when a new motor would be available.  I called this morning and they are still checking and will get back to me.  The tech said it appeared to be a standard motor used in leveling systems (??).    I would like to give them more info so we can move process along although the tech told me they have extensive in’s with many different motor manufacturers and distributors.

I am still not totally convinced the motor was bad and it was not clear as to me why the tech believed it was the motor rather some connection.   I am wondering if I have a switch under the garbage can.  I was in that area to set the bypass.

The motor is in the middle with a sprocket for the bedroom and another sprocket for the kitchen.

I will apprise of progress and motor found.

So much for my planned trip to southern New Mexico this week.  The snow has melted quickly except in the mountains.

Gordon

 

B.W.Gentry
Owner/Admin
2007 Carri-Lite XTRM5
Breckenridge, TX

[JohnD222ParticipantTopics - 8Replies - 518Total - 526]

Gordon,

it is good you found a tech service with connections.

Very few of these motors failed – most that did were because the mounting bolts stripped out because Carrisge too long of a bolt.  The fix eas to add an extra washer so the bolt did not bottom out in the motor casing, but ghat did not work if they were too far gone.  I only remember one bad motor for other reasons.

I do know that when the outer windings or the armature of a motor fails it can make lights dim, essentially an internal shirt that usually blows a fuse, even the slow release type Carriage used.  Moto would do nothing for a bit, fuse resets, dimes lights and blows again.

there is a way to test for this and which one it is but that is beyond me.  That is why I said keep the bad motor because most motors can be rebuilt but as I said often mote than a new one because only a few places can do it.

before you put the storage wall back up, drill a big hole in it so you can use a socket to turn the nut without removing the wall. The brake is held in place by 4 small screws in the back of the motor so it can only be removed  if the wall is down.  That is why I asked if the brake switch did anything (most do not, but worth a try).

cranking that nut with the brake on will and has broken the armature. If such a break is on the wrong side of the forward bearing, the motor is worthless.

john

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

[JohnD222ParticipantTopics - 8Replies - 518Total - 526]

Gordon,

You have 2 switches by the garbage can.  one cuts power to the motor when the wall is in, I.e., stops the motor from bringing the wall in too much, the other stops the motor from pushing the wall out too much.  Usually these switches work or not, but I guess a weak connection point could cause minimal power through.  Both of those switches have grounds and power connections so I guess it is possible they could cause a brown out/dimming but I never experienced it.

There must be a mile of wire between the battery, fuse box, door lock, both garbage cans and the toggle in/out switch.  The “relay fix” brings full power within a foot of the motor via néw heavy wire about 10 feet from the battery. It uses the old miles of wire to toggle the new relay.  Unlike the motor, the relay needs very little amperage to activate (connect battery wires to motor).

 

john

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

[bolljlParticipantTopics - 12Replies - 37Total - 49]

We had similar issue kitchen slide went out would not come back in. Somebody on this forum mention to switch the two wires on slide motor and then use out switch  to bring slide back in.  This worked switching wires back forth until I got rv in for repair, dealer replace limit switch.

Just a note we do not have the long kitchen slide.

[JohnD222ParticipantTopics - 8Replies - 518Total - 526]

Bollojl and Gordon,

To get to the motor wires on the big walls you cannot access from below zip panels, you must remove the wall panel(s) in the main storage area.

yes, swapping wires and issuing in for out, or vice versa, would work on this long wall chain drive motor too.  In fact, if that worked without the brown out lights dimming, it would suggest that nothing is wrong with the motor, but rather in one or more of the limit switches.  Hind sight is great.

but if you do that, remember be certain the bedroom door is closed and that you do not to bring the wall too far in or out – none of the switches will be stopping or starting anything.

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

[CLOC-AdminKeymasterKeymaster]

Thanks for responses.  I was on the telephone with the tech this morning.  He is firm in his opinion that the motor is the problem based on finding good power at the motor.  He does not believe the limit switches to be the issue.  For now I have to accept his diagnosis.

Apparently a replacement motor has been found at a Texas warehouse.  Apparently they have relied heavily on photographs of motor and chain and sprockets to determine motor needed.  Again I have to believe they are doing their best.

I have obtained the phone number of the La Mesa telephone tech support and left a message requesting any tech guidance.  And I have been told that Tierra RV bought the part inventory, manuals, etc. from Carriage when they went out of business.

I will provide any updates as I work to resolve this problem.

Gordon

 

 

B.W.Gentry
Owner/Admin
2007 Carri-Lite XTRM5
Breckenridge, TX

[JohnD222ParticipantTopics - 8Replies - 518Total - 526]

Fran,

We have not heard back from Gordon who seemed to have found one several weeks ago.

I think this is old news.  Above I think I said Lippert, but seems that I was mistaken.

From:

http://www.al-ko.us/865_911.htm

Dexter Axle News / Press

<i>Dexter Axle Acquires AL-KO Axis, Inc.</i>

<b>        Dexter </b><b>Axle Acquires the North American Assets of AL-KO Axis, Inc.</b>

ELKHART, INDIANA – Dexter Axle, a leading manufacturer of trailer axles, brakes, and hubs & drums for over 50 years, announced that it has acquired the North American assets of AL-KO Axis, Inc. AL-KO Axis is a manufacturer of axles and other components for trailers and towable equipment in the utility, recreational vehicle, heavy duty, manufactured housing, agricultural, marine, and specialty markets. As part of the transaction, the AL-KO Kober Group will become a shareholder in Dexter Axle, and Stefan Kober will join the Board of Directors of Dexter Axle.

“We are thrilled by this acquisition and the positive impact it will have on our combined customer base,” said Adam Dexter, President and CEO of Dexter Axle. “The addition of the AL-KO people, products and facilities will help us continueto providethe highest level of customer service available in the market place.”

Stefan Kober, CEO of the AL-KO Kober Group stated, “Over my time in the axle industry, I have recognized he similarities in AL-KO’s and Dexter’s business principles of striving for on-time and complete delivery, producing high quality products, and offering superior customer service. I believe that our customers and employees will appreciate the additional resources that Dexter will bring to this pursuit.”

Dexter products are American made in highly automated facilities in Indiana, Georgia, Oklahoma, California and Tennessee with distribution throughout NorthAmerica and several other countries. AL-KO Axis has locations in Elkhart, Indiana, Shawnee, Oklahoma, La Grande, Oregon, Tifton, Georgia, Ward, Arkansas, Rock Hill, South Carolina, and Ankeny, Iowa.

“We have begun to implement plans to utilize our combined capabilities to offer our customers the best service and most comprehensive product line in the industry,” Adam Dexter continued. “We look forward to working with the AL-KO Axis management team through a successful transition.”

Dexter Axleis majority owned by a fund managed by The Sterling Group, a leading private equity firm based in Houston, Texas with over $1 billion of assets under management.

<i>Dexter Axle has been a leading manufacturer of trailer axles and trailer brakes for over 50 years for the utility trailer, recreational vehicle, heavy duty, manufactured housing, agricultural, marine, and specialty trailer markets. Dexter products are American made in highly automated facilities in Indiana, Georgia, Oklahoma, California, and Tennessee. Since 1960, OEMs have installed more than 45 million Dexter Axles with the assurance that they are providing a quality product that will enhance the safe operation of their trailers. Dexter Axle is ISO9001 certified.For more information, visit </i><i>www.dexteraxle.com</i><i>.</i>

NEWS_FROM_DEXTER.pdf

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

[Fran WinkelerParticipantTopics - 4Replies - 20Total - 24]

To everyone, Where you can get a Adacel slide motor.

What I believe to be true today is: RBW Industries Inc was bought by a company currently known as AL-KO AXIS, INC. in 2008. From the above posts I went to leisurervparts.com and received a call back from a Tech who stated that AL-KO is now closed. Leisure RV Parts is the only US provider of original Adacel slide motors. They are Fed-ex’ing me an exact match at the same price I paid years ago to RDW but without the gear. That is break assemble, motor and gear reduction assemble for $379.00 and $26.00 for shipping. Yes the gears are $150.00. There are no old ones around from the old RDW stock. The Tech said the gears need to be machined in USA as a new product. Years ago I had AL-KO send me a gear for free because they put the wrong one on the motor I ordered, those days are gone.

I deleted my original request for help. Today I can’t find the post that pointed me to Leisure RV Parts but they are the answer today!

Thank you to all,

Fran

 

[JohnD222ParticipantTopics - 8Replies - 518Total - 526]

Fran,

Is this the motor for the strictly gear driven curb side dinette or the motor for the large chain driven slide in the FWS or  +/-2/3 walls in other models?

thanks

john

 

 

JohnD222
Based in Florida except summer
2013 36FWS Lifestyle (our great 2010 Cameo 36FWS has happy owners)

[CLOC-AdminKeymasterKeymaster]

The mobile RV service was unable to successfully locate a replacement motor.  And because of the black paint – apparently to prevent rusting – the ID of the motor was not available for inspection.  After several weeks I paid my bill and told the mobile RV service to stop their search.  I have an appointment scheduled next Friday  to take my RV to a La Mesa service center in Albuquerque.  I will keep all of you apprised of my progress.

Gordon

B.W.Gentry
Owner/Admin
2007 Carri-Lite XTRM5
Breckenridge, TX

[Author]

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