By Cheri Sicard
In the video below, Jacob Rigor from Rigor RV Repair shares his least favorite RV slideout system. Of course, this is one RV professional’s opinion. Yours may differ. But in his job, Jacob says these RV slides consistently present the most problems.
So what is the RV slideout system Jacob says is his least favorite?
The BAL® Accu-Slide system!
Unfortunately, Jacob says this slideout system is common in RVs. Be sure to watch the video to see the potential issues in action.
Main issues with the BAL® Accu-Slide system
#1 Cables get loose over time: The main problem this causes is that the loose cables will cause the tensioning blocks to catch on each other when opening or closing the slide. The resulting tension can literally rip the cables in half or tear the pulleys off the wall. Gone too far and it can even bend the frame.
#2 Oil on the roof: Jacob says he has seen the gearboxes in these slideouts leak oil on the roof, which in turn causes the roof to bubble and eventually crack, leaving water leaks in its wake. Watch the video as Jacob says there are two places where you can see this occurring—and one of them is hidden.
#3 Cables break: When he has seen this happen, Jacob says it is due to the cable not being properly tightened. However, he has also seen instances where the slide cables came from the factory so overly tightened that they just gave out under the stress.
Jacob’s RV slideout system advice
According to Jacob, if you are shopping for an RV and it has a BAL® Accu-Slide system, you should run the other way. He sees so many problems with this RV slideout system that he feels it is wise to avoid it altogether.
But what if you already own an RV with a BAL® Accu-Slide system? Jacobs says there are three options:
- Trade in the RV and get a different one (he REALLY dislikes these slides).
- Have it replaced with an alternative slideout mechanism, which is extremely costly.
- Make sure you do proper maintenance, which is probably the most practical and cost-effective solution to avoiding the issues mentioned above.
Proper maintenance for a BAL® Accu-Slide system
Jacob says there are two things you can do to avoid issues with your BAL® Accu-Slide system. Watch the video for demonstrations of what to look for:
- Consistently monitor the tension on the cables.
- Check your roof for leaks.
##RVDT2288
IMHO the schwintec is the worst one, then the BAL system. Personally I don’t like either one, give me the rack and pinion any day! I had a 5th wheel that had the twin cylinder hydraulic slide system in the early ‘90s that always wanted to turn slightly sideways extending or retracting. I finally solved the problem with flow control valves, on each hydraulic line to the cylinder. Only my experience as an industrial mechanic helped, the dealers techs didn’t have the slightest idea how to solve the problem.
Agreed on the valves. I recall NUWA installed hydraulics on slide outs years ago, I seen numerous hydraulic problems with the power pack valves..sometimes the only way at the time to pull the slide in was to swap the hydraulic lines from one port to another. A McGuyver thing.
The Schwintek system isn’t really bad unless it’s not used properly. So many people only partially extend the slide room and then retract it and the Shcwintek system can get confused. But it can also be easily reprogrammed.
Also, Schwintek isn’t really ideal for heavier slide rooms but, sometimes, I see it used for those.
We use a stationary TT seasonally. 6 months with slides out, 6 months in. Noticed the same wrinkle bubbles as on the video, and last spring at shut down saw a small crack at the top of a wrinkle. No time to repair and slide going in for 6 months. This fall I ran out the slide part way and inspected the inner edge of the roof expecting to see the same damage if the motor gearbox leaked. Nothing. Ruled out oil leak. Repaired the damage at the outer edge of the roof. Fortunately the adhesive immediately under the crack prevented water damage. So unless you see both outer and inner edge damage, don’t assume the damage is a leaking gearbox.
I was sure this was going to be about Schwintek!
Ditto, Tommy Molnar. 🙂
Oddly I wonder if Jacob actually repairs the things he talks about. It’s more about click bait & making a living from YouTube.
I HARDLY find this a clickbait channel. You do know what that is, right?
Thank you, Cheri! I was sure the answer was going to be Schwintek’s system, but it was not. I’ve never heard of this one, but I’m thrilled that our RV has entirely different systems that extend and retract the slides in our RV. 🙂
I’ve had two 5th wheels with this system now without any problems. The Schwintek is definitely worse, but techs see a lot of Bal system failures because they are so common, leading to a lot of false info of them being terrible. Once a year I inspect mine and never have had a problem.
I have the same experience. Have replaced a gearbox but only problem was the cables were way overtightened at the factory.
Can’t say we disagree! Thankful my hubs is handy and can YouTube his way into fixing almost anything. Biggest issue with ours in our Georgetown XL is not only all the things cited in this article but that to access the motor and the adjustments pictured, you have to remove 18′ of decorative trim in 2 layers to get to it and you KNOW it never goes back up without dings and damage.
While I agree with the author regarding the BAL system, all slide systems must be property installed and maintained, otherwise problems will be the result. Proper installation of the slide system is the responsibility of the builder. Proper maintenance of the slide system is the responsibility of the owner. Pick your favorite system, lacking either of these essential requirements and it will soon turn into a nightmare.
I don’t proclaim to be an RV Technical Guru but I have had a LOT of experience with the Bal Accu-Slide as well as the Schwintek slide system.
My personal experience says…..
Both require inspection and adjustment.
Both are prone to failure, but the Schwintek in my opinion is much costlier to maintain and/or repair.
I almost had to purchase a TT because I was unable to find anyone to fix a simple electrical issue in my Winnebago. This is in Wenatchee, Wa. no one will work on the mechanical parts of a motorhome within 200 miles.
Thankfully I found a shop and 3 hours of labor later, problem solved. Well worth it!
Anyways..The place I have spent a lot of $$$$$ over 18 yrs, and treat the techs nice as they do me. Told me to NOT buy the Swintek rigs with this slide..
That nailed it for me…
My little brother bought the same rig I was looking at last month. On their 1st trip the slide leaked water the same as a shower.
Different dealer, I hope they fixed it for him.