Stuart RV Repair fixes RV slide-out motors on-site across Stuart, FL and Martin County. Lippert, Schwintek, hydraulic slides, motor replacements, controller boards, and rail alignment. We come to you.
Stuart RV Repair fixes RV slide-out motors on-site. Lippert rack-and-pinion, Schwintek in-wall, and hydraulic slide systems. Motor replacements, controller boards, gear assemblies, and rail alignment. $150-700 depending on the system. We come to you anywhere in Stuart, FL and across Martin County. Call 772-280-3915. Need other RV electrical repairs? We handle those too.
Slide-outs are probably the most mechanically stressful system in your RV. They extend and retract thousands of pounds of wall, furniture, and structure using electric motors or hydraulic rams. Every time you set up camp, those motors and gears take a beating. And when a slide-out fails, it's not just an inconvenience. If it won't retract, you literally can't drive. We treat stuck slide-outs as emergency calls here at Stuart RV Repair and prioritize them accordingly.
There are three main slide-out systems we see across Martin County. Lippert's rack-and-pinion uses a gear-driven rail under the slide. Schwintek (also a Lippert Components product) uses thin in-wall motors with worm gear drives. And hydraulic systems use fluid pressure from a pump and cylinders. Each one fails differently. Schwintek motors burn out from overwork. Lippert rack-and-pinion gears strip. Hydraulic seals leak and pumps lose pressure. We know the failure patterns for all three because we fix them every week.
The controller board is the brain of the operation. It tells the motors when to run, how fast, and when to stop. When a controller goes bad, the slide might not respond at all, run in one direction only, or slam to the end of travel without stopping. We carry replacement controllers and motors for the most common systems so we can fix these on-site without ordering parts and scheduling a second visit.
This is our #1 emergency slide call. It could be a dead motor, a blown fuse, a bad controller board, or stripped gears. First priority is getting it retracted so you can drive. On Lippert systems there's a manual override shaft accessible from below. On Schwintek systems we can manually drive the motors with jumper wires. Once it's retracted, we diagnose the root cause and fix it properly.
Stripped gear teeth on a rack-and-pinion system, or a worm gear starting to fail on a Schwintek motor. The grinding gets worse over time until the slide stops moving entirely. Don't keep running it once you hear grinding. Each cycle chews up more gear material. We replace the gear assembly or motor before it becomes a bigger problem. Usually $200-400 depending on the system.
On Schwintek systems, one of the two motors may have failed. The extend motor works but the retract motor is dead. Or the controller board has a relay failure on the retract side. On hydraulic systems, a stuck valve or leaking cylinder can prevent retraction while extension still works. We test each motor and direction independently to isolate the failure point.
The two sides of the slide aren't synchronized. On Schwintek, this means one motor is running faster than the other, either from different load or a motor starting to fail. On rack-and-pinion, the rails may have shifted. We check motor current draw on both sides and adjust rail alignment to get both sides moving evenly. According to Lippert's specs, rails should be parallel within 1/8 inch.
Low battery voltage is the first thing we check. Slide motors draw 30-40 amps and need strong 12V power. If batteries are low, the slide will creep or stall. Beyond batteries, a failing motor draws excessive current and moves slowly, or the controller board may not be delivering full voltage to the motor. We test amps and volts at the motor terminals under load to find the weak link.
Blown cylinder seals or a cracked hydraulic line. You'll see pink or red fluid pooling under the RV near the slide-out. The slide may still work but with reduced power, and it'll get worse as fluid level drops. We carry replacement seals and can rebuild cylinders on-site for most common systems. Full cylinder replacement is needed if the bore is scored. Runs $400-700 depending on the repair.
Slide-out systems vary widely by RV manufacturer and model year. Here's what we see most across Stuart and the Treasure Coast, and how each system typically fails.
The most common slide system in travel trailers and fifth wheels. Uses a geared rail driven by an electric motor. The gear teeth can strip after years of heavy use, especially if the slide is overloaded with heavy furniture or modifications. We replace motors, gear assemblies, and rail sections. These systems also have a manual override crank accessible from underneath the RV for emergency retraction.
Lightweight, space-saving design that uses two thin motors mounted inside the slide wall. Each motor drives a worm gear that moves one side of the slide. The downside: these motors work harder than rack-and-pinion motors and fail more often. We see Schwintek motor failures every week. We carry replacement motors and controllers on the truck. The dual motor kit with controller is the most common repair we do at $350-550.
Common on Class A motorhomes and higher-end fifth wheels. Hydraulic systems use a pump, reservoir, and cylinders to extend and retract the slide. They're powerful and smooth, but when they fail, the repair is more involved. Leaking seals, failed pumps, and stuck solenoid valves are the typical issues. We carry hydraulic fluid and common seal kits on the truck. Pump replacements may require sourcing the part, which usually takes 1-2 business days.
Cable-driven slides use steel cables on pulleys to extend and retract. The cable can stretch, fray, or snap over time. The pulleys can seize. And the motor that winds the cables can fail. These are less common than rack-and-pinion or Schwintek, but we still see them in older rigs and some newer budget trailers. Cable replacement is a bigger job than a motor swap but we handle it on-site.
Call 772-280-3915 or request an estimate online. Tell us what's happening, whether the slide won't extend, won't retract, makes noise, or is stuck halfway. If you know whether it's a Lippert, Schwintek, or hydraulic system, that helps us bring the right parts. Stuck slides get priority scheduling.
Our tech checks the motor, controller board, wiring, and gear mechanism. On Schwintek systems we test both motors independently with an amp clamp. On hydraulic systems we check fluid level, pump pressure, and cylinder condition. You get a written estimate before any work starts. Diagnosis typically takes 30-45 minutes.
We carry Lippert and Schwintek motors, controller boards, gear assemblies, and hydraulic components on the truck. Most slide-out motor repairs finish in 1.5-3 hours. Emergency retractions to get you road-ready can usually be done faster. You'll be setting up camp again the same day.
| Repair Type | Price Range | Typical Time |
|---|---|---|
| Controller board replacement | $150-300 | 1-1.5 hrs |
| Schwintek motor replacement (single) | $200-350 | 1.5-2 hrs |
| Schwintek dual motor kit | $350-550 | 2.5-3 hrs |
| Lippert rack-and-pinion motor | $250-400 | 2-3 hrs |
| Hydraulic pump / cylinder repair | $400-700 | 2-4 hrs |
| Rail alignment & adjustment | $150-280 | 1-2 hrs |
| Emergency slide retraction | $100-200 | 30-90 min |
Bedroom slide on our Grand Design got stuck halfway out at a campground near Stuart. Couldn't leave. Called these guys and the tech was out the same afternoon. Manually retracted it, then replaced both Schwintek motors and the controller board. Slide works better now than it has in years. Lifesaver.
Living room slide on our Keystone was making a horrible grinding noise every time we extended it. Tech came to our place in Hobe Sound, found stripped gear teeth on the Lippert system, and replaced the motor and gear assembly. Slide runs smooth and quiet now. Honest about the repair and the price was reasonable.
Hydraulic slide on our Class A was leaking fluid and barely extending. Tech found a blown cylinder seal, rebuilt the cylinder right there at the Jensen Beach campground, refilled the hydraulic fluid, and tested it under full load. Whole job took about 3 hours. Really impressed with the knowledge and the price.
Slide-out motor repairs in Stuart typically run $150-700 depending on the system. A controller board replacement is $150-300. A single Schwintek motor replacement runs $200-350. A Schwintek dual motor kit is $350-550. Lippert rack-and-pinion motor replacement is $250-400. Hydraulic pump or cylinder repair runs $400-700. We always give you a written estimate before starting.
Yes, this is one of our most common emergency calls. A slide stuck partway out means you can't drive. We manually retract it first so you're road-safe, then diagnose the motor or controller issue. On Lippert systems there's a manual override shaft. On Schwintek systems we manually drive the motors. We treat these as priority calls and try to get out same day.
Lippert makes rack-and-pinion systems with gear-driven rails, and Schwintek uses thin in-wall motors with worm gear drives. Schwintek systems are lighter and take up less space but motors work harder and fail more often. Hydraulic slides use fluid pressure and are more common on larger coaches. Each system has its own repair approach and parts.
Low battery voltage is the #1 cause. Slide motors pull 30-40 amps and need strong 12V power. Beyond batteries, worn gears, a failing motor, misaligned rails creating drag, or a controller board not delivering full power can all cause slow operation. We test voltage at the motor under load to separate electrical from mechanical issues.
A single Schwintek motor takes about 1.5-2 hours. A Lippert rack-and-pinion motor swap runs 2-3 hours depending on access. Hydraulic cylinder replacement can take 3-4 hours. Most of the time is getting access to the motor behind the interior wall or under the RV. The actual motor swap is usually 30-45 minutes once we're in there.
We can. Misaligned rails cause uneven extension, gaps in seals, and extra motor strain. On Schwintek systems, the two motors need to be synchronized. On rack-and-pinion systems, the rail adjustment bolts may need resetting. We use a dial indicator to check alignment and adjust both sides to spec. The alignment runs $150-280 and usually takes 1-2 hours.
We handle all RV electrical repairs, from shore power and batteries to converters, appliance wiring, and full panel upgrades. Multiple electrical issues? We knock them all out in one visit across Stuart and Martin County.
We cover Martin County and surrounding areas for all RV slide-out motor repairs. Stuart, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Hobe Sound, and beyond.
Call us or request a free estimate. We prioritize stuck slide-outs and can usually get a tech out same day. Motor replacements, controller swaps, emergency retractions. All done at your campsite or driveway.