Vroom Slide System

On June 29th we took our 2018 Phoenix Cruiser 3100 to Fabel Repair Center in Appleton, WI to have the Schwintek system replaced with the Vroom system.  The replacement took longer than originally expected because this was the first Phoenix Cruiser that Fabel installed the Vroom system on.  In fact, ours was only the 5th PC that the Vroom system had been installed on by Vroom or any of its authorized repair centers.  Due to the curved outside walls of a PC, Vroom installers must modify how they use their templates for aligning the installation of the Vroom tracks.  As a result, the Vroom system on a PC takes longer to complete than it does on a unit wtih straight outer walls.  In our case it took over 2 days for Fabel to complete the installation.  Now that Fabel has completed the Vroom system on our PC, they feel it will only take them a couple of hours extra to work on a PC rather than the time it took to complete ours.

Even though it took longer to complete the installation, we are happy we decided to have the Vroom system installed rather than have a Schwintek service center work on our PC.  We were considering letting Schwintek work on our PC, but they said that they would only be replacing the existing components with like components and that there has not been any changes to their system.  With the Vroom system, the drive gears are held in contact with the drive track so the drive gears cannot "slip" or "skip a tooth".  In addition, the drive gears and the drive track are more substantial and have larger teeth.  The cost for the Vroom system is just under $5,000, which is about twice as much as Schwintek was going to charge us for replacing our system with the same components that were already on it.  It is nice to not worry about whether the slide is going to open or close.  We were impressed with the work done by Fabel and their communication during the installation.

If anyone is interested in talking to the General Manager of the Fabel Repair Center about installation of the Vroom system, his name is Brandon Greetham, his email is bgreetham@fabeltruck.com and his phone number is 920-832-8200.

  We have a 2019 3100 we purchased gently used in March 2020. We have had no problems with the slide system although it is a bit slower than our previous diesel pusher which was hydraulic. Should we expect any slide problems?? Or was your replacement an "upgrade"? We have been rv'g since 1970 in a variety of rigs and I always follow any manufacturers recommendations on maintenance, lubrication, etc.

  Just wondering - Thanks.

Hank

Our installation of the Vroom system was necessary because the Schwintek system was not working properly.  If we didn't push or pull on the slide itself the back drive system would not move the slide in or out.  I am a maintenance nut and followed all the recommended maintenance steps issued by the company that manufactures the Schwintek slide system.  I believe that the reason some people do not have issues with the Schwintek system is that their respective slide presses enough pressure against the slide motor gear and the gear rail that is mounted on the slide itself.  If there isn't sufficient press against these two surfaces, the drive gear slips on the gear rail, which is what we were experiencing.  The Vroom system holds the motor driven gear against the gear rail.
Gary

  Our slideout paperwork is only marked as Lippert but an internet search says Schwintek is part of or a model of Lippert. Although a Schwintek supposedly has some hardware on the outside of the slide that a Lippert does not. We will just have to keep eyes and ears open for any issues. We are going to the factory in September so I might ask them.

I have a 2020 PC2351 and in first year had system repaired at factory for it not opening correctly. Teeth were chewed up. Again right after warranty, the slide out was out of alignment again. Same issue so I went to Tucson in April and had Vroom system installed at factory. Best upgrade ever. No more issues.

The great thing about the Vroom system is that its design won't let the gears get chewed up.  Glad to hear you are happy with your Vroom system.

   Is there a "ballpark" figure for the Vroom system. I have read it may depend on the particular motorhome. And it appears these are best done in Tucson at the factory? Would think they would find a few trusted installers to widen their nationwide market.

  For those of us still with the Lippert system, are you carrying around a spare motor or two just in case? The price on Amazon seems to be around $70 per unit. The replacement process on YouTube appears straightforward. I realize that might not be the only issue. So far no metal filings on the floor though. Per a website I found yesterday, I "synchronized" the two motors on our 3100 yesterday and did notice a difference i.e. they seemed to work better together after I did it. Supposedly that will reduce the strain on the system.

  Finally, I am seeing a lot of negative posts online at various web sites about the Schwintek system. A main issue behind problems (other than a not-so-robust design) seems to be how large the slide is and how much weight is on it (e.g. dinette, residential frig, couch all on one slide as is more likely in larger coaches).
 

Hank

I was quoted $4,500 from an installer in Connecticut. But they do seem to be looking for more money because the PC in different than most RVs  regarding the slide configuration due to the curved wall.
The factory seems more wiling to "get the job done" for that price per the folks that have been there.
Here's a list of the installers:

Our installation at Fabel was $4950, plus taxes.  The base price for a Vroom installation at Fabel is also $4500, but they charged us 2 extra hours for the added time it took over a normal installation to install the Vroom system in our 3100 PC.  We are very happy with the installation and have no problem with the additional cost.  If we had wanted to have Tucson to do the job, we would have had to wait until March 2024, plus the added cost of driving to Tucson vs. Wisconsin.  Since we live in Michigan, and because Fabel could get us in within a month, it was an easy decision.
Gary

While doing my installation by Vroom, they discovered all 3 of the rollers needed replacing because of the adjustment bolts were not sufficient to keep the slide level while moving in or out and cutting into the bottom of floor. They have an upgraded version of the rollers they installed. My total cost ran $4550 at Vroom factory. I had to wait 6 months for my appointment.

I am looking to get the Vroom system installed on all 3 slides in my 2019 2910T. I am talking to the installer in Louisiana, Tech RV.  Dwyane is asking for a picture of a sticker on the schwintek slide h frame on the inside of the coach. It apparently provides them with the dimensions of the original schwintek slide mechanism and is needed for all installs.

I don't see this sticker on any of my slides. For those of you who have had the Vroom system installed, where did you find this sticker on your coach?

Regards, Kevin

When we had our system installed last year, I was asked about the sticker as well, but I was also unable to find the sticker.  Instead, Fabel (the installer) had me provide them with measurements that they used for ordering the Vroom system from Tucson.  Good luck with your install, hopefully you will be as happy as we are with the Vroom system.
Gary

Gary,

  Did Fabel remove your slide to do the Vroom? Can they do other RV stuff like wiring? I ask because we now are scheduled to go to the Phoenix factory next April to fix a wiring issue (110V is shorting out and shooting/arcing because of contact with some metal). My local RV tech says the slide has to be removed to access and repair the wiring which is stil under the slide even when extended. Phoenix is estimating at least 10-15 hours of labor at $175 an hour. If I could get a Vroom and a wiring fix at same time it might make financial sense. As you see we also have a 3100 with that large slide.

Thanks,

Hank

They did NOT have to remove the slideout to install the Vroom system, but they definitely have the capability to do so.  They were considering replacing our rollers under the slideout with larger rollers to spread out the weight of the slideout over more area, but to do so would require its removal and we decided to go with the rollers that came with the PC.  I would call them and speak with Brandon about it.  He is the manager of the truck repair area which is where they work on all RVs.  While I was there I saw them working on several RVs for work other than installing the Vroom system.
Gary