Class C slide power supply?

[MikeyInNY]

New to us 2002 Fleetwood Tioga Class C. Yesterday we prepared to leave camp we retracted the slide, no problem. When we arrived at the new campsite the slide wouldn't extend. Camper was level, engine running, emergency brake on. As far as I know, those are the required conditions to extend the slide. I did the old "Turn it off and try again" routine without any success. I checked all the fuses and breakers in my distributor box, no problems found. I'm certain it has a 12V power source somewhere. Since the engine has to be running, I'm guessing from the engine electrical system. Where would I find the fuse/breaker for it? I've searched without any luck.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

The slide controller (relay) usually has an inline fuse between it and its power source rather than a fuse/breaker in a power panel somewhere. However, I have no knowledge of where Fleetwood may have tucked it away on a 2002 Tioga.
I'd first try to locate the slide controller and see if 12v power is reaching it. If not find the power source and fuse and diagnose there. If yes, check the slide in/out switch to verify it is sending the necessary signals to the controller.

 

[Kirk]

As far as I know, those are the required conditions to extend the slide.

Since it worked before, it is probably safe to assume that it isn't an operator error.

 

[ferfer]

Off chance but is a storage door underneath slide open?

Usually storage doors have and interlock switch to prevent slide movement when open. They can fail and can be temporally bypassed.

 

[8Muddypaws]

Recently experienced the same thing. If you have your owners manual it may tell you how to move the slides with a socket& ratchet. (It takes strength & time).

Mine was a fuse (20A Slow Blow) on the controller board for that slide. Fleetwood usually puts the controller boards, one for each slide, on the wall in the power bay or close to the house batteries.

It may look like the attached picture.

 

[MikeyInNY]

I did find out it should be powered via the fuse block under the dash by the emergency brake pedal. However, I haven't been able to determine which fuse is the power supply. Somewhere in the circuit it has to sense that the emergency brake is set. I do get the light on the dash, so I would think that part of the circuit is satisfied. the switch has one wire in, two out (In/Out). The connection is sealed so trying to get a meter in there to see if there is power is difficult. I did send an inquiry to Fleetwood to see if there is a slide circuit diagram, I'm not too hopeful that I will get a worthwhile reply. In the meantime I will attempt to see what is under the slide while it is retracted. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[MikeyInNY]

I am amazed! Fleetwood sent me very complete electrical files, several hundred pages worth. It will take me time, but I will figure it out.

 

[Kirk]

I am amazed!

I am also amazed. In 2009 the former Fleetwood RV was broken up via bankruptcy and the motorized divisions and the company name were bought by American Industrial Partners. The Fleetwood of today is a completely different company that the one that built your RV so it's a remarkable that they even have those drawings and even more so that they supplied them to you. Good luck, as I sure hope that helps.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Usually storage doors have and interlock switch to prevent slide movement when open.

I'm not sure how "usual" that is. None of the 4 slide-equipped RVs I owned had that sort of electrical interlock. Instead, they had mechanical limits on the bay doors so they couldn't open enough to interfere.

 

[ferfer]

I'm not sure how "usual" that is. None of the 4 slide-equipped RVs I owned had that sort of electrical interlock. Instead, they had mechanical limits on the bay doors so they couldn't open enough to interfere.

Thanks Gary. I tried to Edit my post but time ran out -- JUST BEFORE I HIT THE SAVE BUTTON! Sigh

I do a related question. Do the storage doors that open R to L or horizonal need or have a method to prevent slide movement?

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Do the storage doors that open R to L or horizonal need or have a method to prevent slide movement?

Typically not, but the specifics would depend on the body design. Thus I hesitate to give an unequivocal No.

War story: My 2004 American Coach had mechanical limiters on the vertical opening bay doors. All well & good. But when the coach was in the Freightliner factory service shop, a worker discovered that the horizontally opening fuel door did NOT clear the slide as it closes. CRUNCH! I guess nobody ever thought the fuel filler door would be open when the slide was out.

 

[DonTom]

New to us 2002 Fleetwood Tioga Class C.

First, check the simple stuff from inside, make sure it's all in the clear.

One time my slide would not extend, and it was because a cabinet door opened while driving, where it could not be seen from the slide switches, and the slide was getting caught on the open cabinet door, preventing the slide from extending.

Check both low and high for things that can prevent the slide from moving. Mine was surprising quiet when stuck when I pressed the button, and I wondered what was wrong.

No damage was done, everything worked perfectly after the slide was in the clear after I discovered the open cabinet door that prevented the slide from extending.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[MikeyInNY]

Final result: I also ordered a Ford E450 service manual. The electrical schematic identified the fuse that sends the control power to the slide switch. The slide requires the ignition to be on, so its fed from a chassis fuse under the steering wheel. I found a third wire in the same circuit that went directly to ground. Once I disconnected that wire, the slide and dash fan worked fine. I traced the wire in a wiring loom towards the back of the rig but lost it when the loom entered the frame. I don't know for sure what that wire goes to, everything else is working fine. So I capped it and left it disconnected. I am happy.