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While there are a couple of different types of RV slides out there, one of the most common is the Schwintek slide. This type of slide uses whats called worm gear to move the slide in and out as you need it to. These slides are operated from a control panel inside your RV and are very easy to use.

However, some times slide experience issues. In the video above, our product specialist and all-around knowledgeable RV enthusiast, Ian Baker is here to share some tips and tricks on what to do if your slide doesn’t move when you want it to or if you have one side moving and other staying put.

What is a Schwintek Slide?

A Schwintek slide as we said above is a type of slide-out that’s commonly used on motorhomes and towable RVs. The slide is unique in that it uses some worm gears to make the slide out move in and out of the RV.

There are motors to either side of the slide that help the slide move when you want it to move, and there’s a panel inside the RV that allows you to control the motor. Schwintek slides are generally easy to use and that’s why you’ll find them on a wide variety of RVs out there.

What Could Make a Slide Fail to Move?

Well, there are any number of issues that could be plaguing your slide-out. However, Ian says the most common one is out of sync slide-out electrical motors. If the motors are out of sync, the slide may not move at all. Othertimes just one side may move, which will cause a bind in the gears and not allow it to retract or extend all of the way.

Other issues with the slide could be a faulty part, such as a burned-out motor or faulty wiring. However, those are far less common, so you should take some time to check to make sure the motors are synced up before troubleshooting anything else.

How to Fix a Stuck Schwintek Slide

If you have a Schwintek slide that’s stuck, don’t worry. There are things you can do to get the slide back on track and operating properly. Here are some things to try.

Make Sure the Electric Motors are Synced Up

As we noted above, Ian says that the number one issue with Schwintek slides is that the motors are often out of sync. This can cause issues when you go to move the slide from the control panel inside the RV.

As a preventative measure, you should hold down the button to retract the slide for a couple of seconds after the slide is retracted all of the way. This will allow the motors to sync up. Ian says to do this a couple of times to make sure the motors are synced and then you should be able to operate the slide-out properly.

An important thing to note here is that you need to have the right amount of power. Hook up to shore power or make double sure your battery is topped up before trying to operate your slides.

Use the Manual Override on the Control Box

If that doesn’t work, or you’re still experiencing issues of some kind, then you need to go down into the basement of your RV and find the control box. The control box should be right underneath the slide-out.

On that box, there will be a manual override button. You can press that six times and then you push and hold on the seventh time and it will trigger a manual override so you can try to get the side in. From there, you really should take your RV in to have it check out by a service center.

Additional Things to Try

What if neither of those things works? Beyond those two things, there are some physical things you can do to the slide-out and control box. First, you can move the slides manually. Ian doesn’t touch on this in the video, and if you’re doing this, you really need to get your RV to a service center ASAP.

In order to do this, you’ll need to disconnect the cables for the slide from the control box. This will disengage the brake or lock and allow you to move the slide by simply pushing on it. Make sure to push the slide in evenly. From there, you’ll need to reconnect the wires for the motors to the control box so the brake or lock reengages.

If that still doesn’t work, and you have a slide stuck out, then you need to take the screws off on the exterior of the RV at the top of the slide. From there, you have access to the motors for the slide. You should be able to move them up about half of an inch, which will disconnect them. Then you should be able to push the slide in. Replace those screws, and then either use a slide lock or a wooden 2×4 cut to the right length on the inside of the RV to make sure the slide doesn’t slide back out.

To learn more about these other two methods, you can check out this video put together by Thor Motor Coach. It walks you through the steps well.

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Do you have any questions about Schwintek slides or have any ideas for other topics that should be covered in our How To series? Leave a comment below, or hit up Ian on Instagram!

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If you’re familiar with our video content, then you likely know Ian Baker. He’s our product specialist and does all of our RV review and RV model overviews. Ian thought it best to take some time to highlight RV accessories he thinks every new RVer should get before they head out to the campsite for the first time.

Surge Protectors

A surge protector for your RV is an absolute must-have. It protects your RV from unwanted power surges when it is plugged into the power source at the RV park.

While most RV parks offer power outlets for you to plug into, what you’ll often find when out RVing is that those places to connect up your RV haven’t been updated in quite a while. This can lead to issues at the outlet. These issues can include low voltage, high voltage, power spikes, brownouts, blackouts and more.

The surge protector goes between the campgrounds power outlet and your RV’s power hookup. It’s the guard for your RV’s power system and prevents you from frying any electrical features inside your RV.

Potable Water Hose and Water Pressure Regulator

Just as important as having a properly operating electrical system is having a properly operating water and sewer system.

Ian advocates for the use of a high-quality hose that’s been rated for potable water. Can you hook up any old hose? It will likely fit on your RV, but don’t do it. It simply isn’t healthy because the hose has not been rated for potable water. There are various lengths of hose to choose from and you should be able to easily find something that is the ideal length for your RV.

Another thing to get to protect your water and sewer system is a water pressure regulator. These little devices are a simple valve that you put between your water source and your water hose. Again, just like with power, you never know how much water is going to be coming out of a water source. Sometimes water pressure is low, sometimes it’s far too high. High water pressure can damage your RV, and a water pressure regulator will prevent that from happening.

Water pressure regulators come in a few different types. There are adjustable ones with gauges on them, stainless steel ones, and brass ones. You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg here, but a water pressure regulator is an important safeguard for your rig.

RV Toilet Paper

We’ve talked about it before on this blog, but RV toilet paper is an important item for any RVer. You’ve got to use the bathroom sometime and you need to have the right toilet paper to get the job done.

As Ian says, RV toilet Paper is a necessary item. Your RV’s septic system is somewhat of a delicate thing. It’s not as robust as the sewer systems you’ll find at homes and in businesses. You need toilet paper that will break down easily. RV and Marine toilet paper is designed to do just this. The paper is specifically formulated for RV septic systems and using something else can actually cause a clog, which is the last thing you want to deal with when out camping. Get RV toilet paper. You won’t regret it.

Leveling Blocks

Having your RV level at the campsite is important for several reasons. You want your RV to be level for the obvious comfort reasons, but it’s also important for certain appliances like your RV’s refrigerator. Refrigerators are designed to operate best when level. If you’re camped on a slat, you could experience problems.

This is where leveling blocks come into play. These simple blocks go under the wheels and will help get your RV positioned just right. If you need to know how to use them, we have a blog post on that.

Outdoor Party Lights

Getting away from the absolute must-haves and into the definitely want category, Ian shifts focus and recommend some party lights for your campsite because we know you’re going to party.

Jokes aside, having some good outdoor lighting around your camper is a smart move. It illuminates things at night so you can see more easily and it can help you find your RV in the dark if you go off stargazing or to the campgrounds clubhouse or a neighboring campsite.

Clear Elbow for Dumping Your Holding Tanks

Last but not least, we have to talk about emptying your holding tanks. We’ve discussed how to empty your holding tanks in other blog posts and videos. It’s an important step for any RVer, and you need to have the right equipment. A clear 90-degree elbow, like the one that Ian recommends, is very important. It might sound gross, but it allows you to see if there are any obstructions or issues when emptying your holding tanks.

Even if you don’t experience any issues, a clear 90-degree elbow at the end of your sewer hose just lets you see when the tanks are empty or when you can close up the valves on the tanks and put away the rest of your sewer equipment. Ian says it’s also extremely helpful when you’re flushing your black tank. You can see exactly when the tank starts to run clean.

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Those are Ian’s tips on what RV accessories you need to have for your first time RVing. Let us know what you thought in the comments below! 

Also, if you have anything you think needs to be added, please leave us a comment and let us know!

 

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When many people think of camping and RVing, they imagine a campground that’s pretty developed. However, there’s many square miles of land that falls under the care of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This land is for public use and is open to camping. The best part is that it’s free to use this land, and there’s a lot of it out there.

What is BLM?

As I said above BLM land is land designated for public use. While it might not see like there is a ton of BLM land out there if you live on the east coast or in the midwest, you’ll find if you go west it makes up a huge portion of the land out there. If you combine BLM land with all of the National Forest Land, which is also public-use land, then you’ll get about 25 percent of the land in the entire country.

That’s a lot of ground, and much of it is ready an open for you to camp on it. The land was designated for public use thanks to The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. Accessing the land is a great way to see some of the most impressive parts of our great country, and I highly suggest you do some BLM camping at some point.

You Can Stay at a BLM Campground

There are a wide variety of campgrounds within BLM land, from developed facilites with restrooms, potable water, electrical hookups, picnic areas, dump stations, and more to campgrounds that offer little more than a pit or ring for your campfire. If you want to camp at one of these designated campgrounds, then you’ll often need to pay a fee. Most of the time, these campgrounds are first-come, first-serve.

You can also make reservations for a campsite at a specific campground. To make reservations at a campground, head to recreation.gov and find the campground you want to stay at and make your reservation. It’s important to note that some campgrounds may have restrictions on the size of RV you can have. This is something you need to check ahead of time. Each campground is different.

You Can Also Boondock for Free

Boondocking on public land is also and option and it’s free. This is often called dispersed camping, and is the same thing as boondocking in an RV. Dispersed camping is allowed in many areas of BLM land. You can find a map of the land that allows dispersed camping on the BLM website. Another option is to download the Public Lands app. This app will show you all of the different types of public land right on your phone.

One thing to note about boondocking on public land is that your stay can’t exceed 14 days in a 28 day period of time. This means you’ll have to move every 14 days. If you plan on spending a long period of time out camping on BLM land, then you’ll have to find a few areas to move around to as is needed. This usually isn’t a problem, because you’ll need to empty your RV’s holding tanks from time to time, and it makes sense that you’ll need to leave to find a dump station.

When boondocking on BLM land, keep in mind, this land is here for public use, but it needs to be respected and treated well. Practice “leave no trace” camping guidelines. You want to leave the land exactly as you found it so the wildlife there can prosper, and so that other people who come after you can enjoy the land.

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What are your thoughts on BLM camping and RVing? Leave a comment below. Do you have anything you think should be added? Leave that in the comment section below, too!

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There are quite a few 2020 Class A gas motorhomes perfectly suited to satisfy your desire for an adventure touring the country. What I’m going to do here is focus on five of these, all of which have a single wall slide to open up their respective cabins.

Exactly what is a wall slide? It’s a slide-out where the entire driver’s side (or passenger side on a few motorhomes but not any of these five) pulls out to create more living area space. This slide will pull out everything from right behind the driver’s seat all the way to the end of the motorhome.

Before we take a look at the chosen few to highlight in order by length, let’s quickly run down what they all share upfront—a Ford F53 chassis with a 6.8L Triton V10 engine – and in the back: a tow hitch rating easily capable of towing your car, SUV, or truck. On to the chosen five!

Thor Vegas 25.6

Thor likes to call the Vegas one of their ‘RUV’ models, as in Recreational Utility Vehicle. Then again, Thor loves acronyms (see the A.C.E. below). At 26 feet 6 inches in length, the Vegas 25.6 is certainly the shortest in this five, but this length allows it to have the drivability of a Class C. The wall slide of the 25.6 contains a large 76-inch dream dinette able to sleep two, a 40-inch TV on a swivel, a wardrobe closet, and the queen bed that flips up when you bring in the slide.

The bedroom also has additional closet space and its own 32-inch TV. Designed for efficiency, the 25.6 has a streamlined kitchen entirely on the passenger sidewall. Upfront is the final sleeping space, a drop-down overhead twin bunk sitting above the cab’s swiveling captain’s seats. The Vegas 25.6 also has a nifty exterior 32-inch TV for your outdoor viewing pleasure.

See a 3D tour of the interior by clicking here.

Entegra Coach Vision 29F

Entegra Coach builds some of the finest motorhomes out there and the Vision 29F certainly fits the bill. You’ll find the wall slide is packed with all sorts of camp conveniences: a comfy booth dinette; kitchen counter with its wide space and double-bowl sink; a three-burner stove, microwave, and oven; the master bedroom dresser and wardrobe closet; plus a pair of stacked twin bunks.

These and the optional drop-down overhead bunk allow the Vision 29F to sleep up to eight tired campers. The bathroom is a walkthrough with private access from the bedroom plus has a glass door-enclosed angled shower with a skylight and light. You’ll also find a sweet entertainment center on the exterior with an LED TV on a swivel bracket plus a DVD/AM-FM radio and speakers.

See a 3D tour of the interior by clicking here.

Winnebago Intent 31P

The Intent is new to the Winnebago lineup. Sitting at 31 feet in length, the 31P has, you guessed it, stacked twin bunks embedded in its wall slide (in fact, the rest of the highlighted motorhomes have bunks, FYI). Also within the wall slide is the dinette; deep kitchen counter with a double bowl sink, three-burner cooktop, oven, and microwave; bedroom wardrobe closet, TV and additional storage.

With the bunks plus the walkaround queen bed, convertible dinette, jackknife sofa, and StudioLoft bed, you’ll be able to sleep up to eight. A nifty addition to the bunk beds is a closet rod just in case you’d rather use it as an additional wardrobe space… or if you want to make one of the kids sleep with hanging clothes. The living area has a 39-inch HDTV and the bedroom is all set with a 32-inch HDTV.

See a 3D tour of the interior by clicking here.

Thor A.C.E. 32.3

That’s a lot of periods, I know. Most RVers just say ‘Ace’ even if the acronym actually stands for “A and C Evolution.” Effectively, this means an A.C.E. is a motorhome with Class A features but has the maneuverability of a Class C motorhome. The A.C.E. 32.3 can sleep up to eight happy campers because it has a) a queen size drop-down overhead bunk, and b) yes, there’s a pair of stacked twin bunks embedded in the wall slide.

Also sitting in the wall slide is a 68-inch convertible dream dinette containing a 40-inch TV; the cooktop/oven, deep kitchen counter and sink; and the master bedroom’s wardrobe closet as well as the bedroom’s dresser, and a 32-inch TV. The master bedroom, by the way, has a walkaround king-size bed. The fridge sits on the passenger side of the 32.3 sharing a wall with the bathroom and its full-size angled shower. The 32.3 also has a pair of 15.5-inch LED TVs in the bunks with a DVD player, plus an additional TV, a 32-inch one on the exterior so you can enjoy a little viewing under the awning or the stars.

See a 3D tour of the interior by clicking here.

Holiday Rambler Admiral 34J

At 36 feet, the 34J runs a full Laker Center Anthony Davis and a foot more in length beyond the Thor Vegas 25.6. And guess what? It can sleep up to eight. Because? Well you know. The 34J, like the other larger motorhomes in this article, has a hide-a-loft dropdown queen bed… as well as stacked twin bunks embedded into the wall slide. These bunks are slightly different as they have a nifty enclosure – a sliding barn door.

The Admiral 34J’s wall slide has everything the A.C.E. 32.3 does only with just a tad more room – bigger wardrobe closet, more kitchen counter space, and a slightly larger booth dinette. The passenger side adds a pantry and has a residential fridge. TVs are all over the place – a 32-inch flat-screen in the bedroom, another in the bunk area, a 39-inch flat-screen in the living area, plus on the exterior, you’ll find a 50-inch LED TV.

See a 3D tour of the interior by clicking here.

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So there you have it – five fantastic Class A gas motorhome options with a single wall slide. Have any others you’d like to tout? Drop us a note, we love hearing from our fellow RVers.

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The national parks are a true treasure of our great country. Inside these parks, you’ll find some of the most impressive natural landscapes and wildlife anywhere in the world. More Americans should spend time at the national parks, and there’s no better way to do that than in an RV.

However, planning and executing a trip to a national park—whether it be Yellowstone, Big Bend, or one of the many others out there—can be a bit challenging. While every park has its own special features and requirements, some general tips and tricks could never hurt. Here are 10 tips to help you RV in national parks.

1. Make Reservations Well in Advance

Reserving a campsite is something you must do well in advance, especially in the popular national parks. More and more people want to see what the parks have to offer and this often means the campsites within the parks will get booked up. The more in advance you can plan the better.

If the national park you want to visit is all booked up, consider checking out campgrounds nearby that will get you close enough to the park so that you can make your way to the park for a day trip. Another option is going at a time that’s not during the busy season. Going in early spring or later in the fall can be a great time to go and be able to get the reservation you really want.

2. Keep an Eye on the Weather, Road Closures, and Local News

In the time leading up to your trip, keep an eye on the local news, weather, and any road closures in the area of the national park you plan to visit. The last thing you want to do is drive your RV a long way to camp and not be able to see what you drove all that way to see. The national park’s particular website will be a good resource, but consider following the park on social media and just keeping an eye on the news about the park in general.

3. Identify Must-See Destinations and Camp Near Them

Do you have a few places within the park you want to visit, or a couple of landmarks you absolutely have to see? Then camp near them. Just because you are camping inside a park, doesn’t mean you’re going to be close to what you want to see. National parks are huge. This means you need to have a plan and camp as close as possible to the things you want to see. From there you can hike to specific locations within the park.

4. Be Ready to Dry Camp

Camping in your RV inside the park is the goal, but you’ll often be without a full hook-up. Be ready for this. Don’t expect to have electric or water hookups. Come ready with a plan to boondock. This means having enough water and power for the duration of your stay. This will likely also mean using less power and taking advantage of any public or campground restrooms that are available. If you come to the park with the right mindset and plan, it shouldn’t be a problem to dry camp during your stay.

5. Know Your Route to and Through the Park

Some national parks have more than one way to get to them or through them. Some of those roads will not be suitable for your RV. You need to know ahead of time, which route you plan to take in your RV. This will help keep you on the right track and keep you comfortable on the road. Look at routes that other RVers have taken and consider getting an RV-specific GPS to guide you along the way.

6. Get Good at Maneuvering Your RV

Practice makes perfect. This is true for pretty much everything, including driving or towing your RV. The more you do it the better you’ll be at maneuvering your RV when it counts. In national parks, not all of the roads are very wide and you’ll need to be good at controlling your RV on the road. You’ll also, need to get good at parking your RV. Some national park’s campsites are small, make sure your rig will fit before you go and that you have the skills to get the RV into the spot easily.

7. Stock Your RV Appropriately

Most national parks don’t have much in terms of places to buy supplies. This means you’ll need to stock up on food, personal supplies, and camping gear ahead of time. Even if there is a small shop inside the park for you to buy supplies you will find that the items there are usually quite expensive.

An exception to this is firewood. Do not bring firewood with you or across state lines. You want to get firewood in the park. The reason for this is because of invasive insect species. If you bring firewood from another place, you’ll likely bring along insects that don’t belong there. This can be devastating to the local environment.

8. Be Considerate of Others While in the National Park

You’re not the only one at the national park. The parks are popular destinations for travelers, especially families. This means you need to be courteous of other people coming to the park to enjoy all it has to offer. This means keeping your campsite orderly and well-kept, but it also means avoiding things like making tons of noise at night, not obeying signs and other postings from park officials, and letting others take advantage of beautiful vistas, trails, and other opportunities within the park.

9. Be Prepared to See Wildlife and Treat it With Respect

Hopefully, one of the main reasons you want to go to national parks is to observe and learn about all of the amazing wildlife that lives within the park’s boundaries. While at the park, be ready to come across wildlife and be ready to react appropriately. This means following all posted signs and directions and following the suggestions and orders of any National Park Service employees.

You should also check out the various programs the National Park Service puts on to educate people about wildlife, especially if you have children. These programs are education, interesting, and a whole lot of fun!

10. Camp Responsibly and Leave as Little Trace as Possible

You’re not in the national park to make your mark. When you leave your campsite, you don’t even want people to know you were there. This means you’ll have made as little impact on the natural environment as possible. Take care of your trash, put out your campfires all the way, and don’t disturb the environment around any more than is absolutely necessary. You want others to be able to come and enjoy the park, too, and for years to come. The best way to do that is by leaving as little trace as possible.

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The national parks are amazing and there’s no better way to see them than in an RV. If you want to experience all that they have to offer, then an RV is your ticket to adventure. Check out all of the RV’s Camping World offers!

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Class A motorhomes are fantastic large RVs to have. They offer plenty of space, a lot of features, and most of the creature comforts of home. For many camping families out there, they’re the best option. However, they can be quite expensive.

However, there are options out there that are reasonably affordable. While some luxury Class A motorhomes can cost over $1 million, some can be well below $100,000. These RVs are still fantastic options with good features and amenities.

I wanted to pull together a few reasonably affordable Class A motorhomes below. I do not list the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) below because if you go around to RV lots across the country, you’ll rarely find units listed for that. You can usually find units priced well below the MSRP. A quick search of the models listed below on Camping World’s website shows they’re all listed for far less than the MSRP. So keep that in mind when reading.

Fleetwood Flair 28A

The Fleetwood Flair 28A is an RV you can find at lots across the country for a very reasonable price. Between the dinette and the sofa there’s plenty of seating for thos long hauls, but the RV also comes with a large king bed a nice size kitchen and a small bathroom.

The unit features a gas engine that makes 460 torque and 320 hp and it sleeps up to six people thanks to its king bed, dinette, sofa, and drop-down bunk over the cab. The two slides on this unit help open up the floorplan a bit and the rugged Ford F53 chassis is known for its durability. Overall, this unit measures 29.25 feet long, and it’s a good option for small to medium size families.

Check it out at Camping World

Thor Axis 25.6

The Thor Axis 25.6 is another good option. This unit has only one slide out, but otherwise has all that you could want or need. The model features a full bathroom, a kitchen along the passenger side of the RV. On the driver’s side wall, there’s a large dinette and at the rear of the motorhome a queen flip-up bed.

The unit measures 25.5 feet in length and the Ford E-450 chassis features a gas engine with 305 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. This unit sleeps up to four people between the drop-down bunk and the queen bed. It is a fantastic option for small families.

Check it out at Camping World

Thor Vegas 24.1

Want an RV with an even smaller slide out? The thor Vegas 24.1 is the way to go. This model features a single small slide for the sofa bed, a bathroom next to the sofa, a kitchen across from that, and a sleeping area at the rear of the unit that can be two twin beds or a single king.

This model is built on the Ford E-450 chassis and that means it gets a gas 305 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque engine. The overall length of this one is 25.5 feet, and the motorhome sleeps up to four people. It’s another great option for small families.

Check it out at Camping World

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Looking for a good Class A motorhome? Check out all of the models avaliable at Camping World’s website. 

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