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Old 10-17-2018, 07:01 PM   #1
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Traumatic failure of slide support mechanism '14 Itasca 38Q

Hi All,

I don't know if this particular thread has run, but I can't find one.


I have attached pics showing the slide support and its failure on my 2014 Itasca 38Q.

On the right side you can see that one of the two adjusting bolts has sheared and dropped down about 1/2 inch. On the left side in the close-up you can see that the extra stress has ripped the bottom of the angle piece (it actually is a lot worse and really opened up, but I have it shored up with a 2X4).

First of all it seems incredible to me that the integrity of the entire mechanism rests on the shear strength of 2 bolts!!

Secondly, I would have considered this a one-off if the same thing hadn't happened to a friend of mine on his Adventurer 37F just this past summer!!
(I have attached a pic of his home-grown solution).


Soooo, is this an endemic problem? Have any of you had this failure? And if so, what was the cure? Has Winnebago said anything about it?


Thanks for any help.[IMG][IMG][/IMG][/IMG]
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Old 10-20-2018, 04:15 PM   #2
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Had the same thing on my 09 Journey slide with three slide rams. The center (passive ram) kept fracturing the bolt - had it welded twice by Winn only to fail again. Third time Winn replaced the entire ram support with a heavier one and have not had issues since. The support that failed was under the fridge so had a significant load on it. It was complex to replace and I suspect that Winn used a lower grade bolt than was needed causing the failures.
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Old 10-20-2018, 07:58 PM   #3
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Hi Bob,

Guess what? The failure was under the fridge just like yours. Thanks for the info.

We're from upstate NY but here in Arizona for the winter. Taking it to La Mesa RV in Phoenix next month and will insist they use grade 8 bolts. It still looks to me like a pretty poor design!

Thanks again,

Ken
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Old 10-24-2018, 05:35 PM   #4
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I’ve got a 08 Journey 39Z.
Did Winnebago take care of the repair or did you pay for it.
I’m going to inspect mine tomorrow. Any advice on what to look for?
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Old 10-24-2018, 05:57 PM   #5
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I know I paid once for the bolt welding. Not sure when they replaced the roller assembly if I paid as they did other items as well.
Unfortunately Winn have vehemently denied all all component failures at their factory service that I have had. Winnebago put the pressure on the service center to make money as the new slideout crisis evolved and it affected their corporate earnings. I have had several other items they have denied but ended up fixing. They told me the second round of bolt failures were normal wear and tear - which i strongly suggested otherwise.
To check your coach, look for fractured bolts supporting the slideout ram rollers on the long and heavy slides particularily under the fridge. You likely would have noticed a different sound when operating them as well. The slides involved are the vintage Power Gear slides which are extremely rugged.
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Old 10-24-2018, 08:25 PM   #6
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Failure slide support

My 2014 Itasca 33c had very similar failure. In a nutshell Winnebago stills uses a out dated Lippert system that does not support weight of adding 4 door frig and washer dryer in later model. My slide out was tearing up the floor and sitting on it when retracted. If you have black marks on floor, look out!
It cannot be fixed! Need to update to Lippert newer heavier weight design.
I’m going out to Winnebago next year and collect the extra cost (over my extended warranty) or call the local tv to give Winnebago some exposure.
Check out iRV2 Winnebago owners forum for stories about this problem.
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Old 10-25-2018, 07:11 AM   #7
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This problem has happened to my 2011 37F center ram on the full wall slide. I replaced the broken bolts with grade 8 bolts by drilling new holes next to the broken off bolts. I have driven about 2000 miles with the repair and it has worked so far without failure but the jury is still out on how long it will last.

Bill
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Old 10-25-2018, 08:13 AM   #8
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I hate to hear this. We also have a '14 38Q. It is the only slide that has not caused problems. I will need to keep and eye on it, but this kind of failure is likely to show no signs until it totally fails. Perhaps some "necking" might occur before complete failure.
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Old 10-25-2018, 08:28 AM   #9
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The issue is with the support structure used for the pre 2015 Power Gear slides. It has nothing to do with Lippert - yours is likely a separate/different problem. Power Gear was acquired by Lippert around 2015 and the current slides are different technology except those used on very large heavy slides.
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Old 10-25-2018, 01:07 PM   #10
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The side slide on our 2014 View Profile stopped working. We were told one of the motors wasn't working. They told us it was a problem with similar RVs as the motors were too small. But they never said anything about broken bolts.
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Old 10-25-2018, 01:18 PM   #11
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I inspected my 08 Journey 39Z today and found two bolts sheared on the the center arm.
Called Winnebago technical assistance and got some kid that had no idea there was a problem. Put me on hold to talk to the slide expert who was clueless also. After I educated him on their coach he told me to call Power Gear/Lippert.
I processed to explain to him that Winnebago is painted on the side of the coach not Power Gear. I then told him we’re in the market for another coach and it won’t say Winnebago on it.
I guess we’re on our own to figure these problems out.
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Old 10-25-2018, 05:06 PM   #12
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So, I haven’t called Power Gear yet. Can anyone tell me where I can source new bolts?
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Old 10-25-2018, 06:48 PM   #13
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Home Depot sells Grade 5 and Grade 8 bolts/nuts. I'd go with the Grade 8s as they are arguably the strongest readily available to the public - unless there is a possibility that low grad bolts are intentionally used as a "fuse" designed to break if the mechanism jams. Perhaps the slide experts here can weigh in on this possibility.
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Old 10-25-2018, 08:11 PM   #14
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I’m going to call PowerGear tomorrow and ask for information. The Winnebago dealer in Forest City may be another source.
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Old 10-27-2018, 09:00 PM   #15
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Jumped right in when we got home.
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Old 10-27-2018, 09:03 PM   #16
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Done
Grade 8 bolts. Because of the shoulders I had to create spacers from a large nut and some washers. Slide moves better now.
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