Slide problem on possible purchase

[LadyRVer]

I looked at a 2004 Winnebago Chalet Model 30BR today at a dealership. The owner said there is a problem with the slide, it will only go out so far and stops. His tech has tried to trace down the problem, but cannot find it and actually with all the other work lined up, dealer cannot let tech spend a lot of time on it.

My question is if I would go ahead with this purchase on an "as is" sale, could this be a real costly situation to get into?

I can think of a few things it could be, but I myself do not have the capability to fix anything like that.

Thoughts?

[Spade_Cooley]

I have a friend who bought a Mercedes camper van with slide. The slide kept coming off the track. After two years of fighting and going through various warrantee problems, he finally sold it. No one was able to fix it. Don't buy!

[bukhrn]

Dave H M wrote:
Run Forest Run

X2, depending on where you are and the dealer, that $X/hr that BFL13 mentioned could be $105.+/hr, around here its like $125. +/-, X who knows how many hours, not to mention parts.

[LadyRVer]

Again, appreciate the help.... afraid to get into the "unknown" before a purchase. After a purchase, a lot different. Thanks, all.

[gbopp]

If the dealers Tech can't find the problem it's either an incompetent Tech or a major problem.
I wouldn't take the chance.

[Dave_H_M]

Run Forest Run

[wa8yxm]

If I were looking at a rig and I was told "The slide only goes out so far an stops we have not been able to figure out the problem) (NOTE likely would take me less than 10 minutes to figure it out).. I would quite likely diagnose (And perhaps cure) the problem for them. Then say "NO SALE" and find a better dealer.

[LadyRVer]

Appreciate the replies and suggestions. Thanks to all of you.

Barb

[navigator2346]

I would go back and try the slide with the engine running. The slide motor might not be getting a full 12vdc and running the engine could help

[SDcampowneroper]

might be a very good buy for someone handy. Slides are electric rack, cable or hydrauilic. My google search did not turn up which Winnie used on that model, but i suspect its electric.
Run Away from cable slides, trust hyd. slides, electric is likely for this unit. A gear is stripped, motor weak, out of time rack. maybe something else.
If you are serious about this unit, get an independent rv repairman to accompany you incognito to inspect and diagnose.
It could be serious or simple
The dealerships foot dragging is suspect. A simple fix dont you think they would have done it?

[Lwiddis]

I wouldn’t buy anything from a dealer with a known and unfixed problem.

[BFL13]

LadyRVer wrote:
I looked at a 2004 Winnebago Chalet Model 30BR today at a dealership. The owner said there is a problem with the slide, it will only go out so far and stops. His tech has tried to trace down the problem, but cannot find it and actually with all the other work lined up, dealer cannot let tech spend a lot of time on it.

My question is if I would go ahead with this purchase on an "as is" sale, could this be a real costly situation to get into?

I can think of a few things it could be, but I myself do not have the capability to fix anything like that.

Thoughts?

Time is money. You have no way to know how much time at $X/hr it would take to fix it, VS the discount for the possible cost off the purchase price.

So it is a total gamble. Why take the chance? "There is more than one pebble on the beach" and all that.