Emergency Power Gear SlimRack Slide-Out Retraction at Dragstrip Campground in Bristol, TN

Slide-out repair photo 1 on Forest River FR3 motorhome in Bristol, Tennessee — Kitchen slide-out stuck fully extended near Bristol Motor Speedway

Slide-out repair photo 2 on Forest River FR3 motorhome in Bristol, Tennessee — Power Gear slide-out switch showing a fault indicator

Slide-out repair photo 3 on Forest River FR3 motorhome in Bristol, Tennessee — Inspecting the Power Gear slide-out controls

Slide-out repair photo 4 on Forest River FR3 motorhome in Bristol, Tennessee — Slide-out controller and wiring in the storage compartment

Slide-out repair photo 5 on Forest River FR3 motorhome in Bristol, Tennessee — Testing the slide-out controller

Slide-out repair photo 6 on Forest River FR3 motorhome in Bristol, Tennessee — Forest River FR3 with the slide retracted for travel

Customer complaint

What the customer noticed

At Dragstrip Campground in Bristol, the kitchen slide-out on a Forest River FR3 was stuck fully extended. The owners, visiting from North Carolina, could not safely drive home with the room out.

Diagnostic findings

What inspection and testing revealed

The Power Gear SlimRack controller showed a “stops not programmed” fault. More than 12 volts reached the controller during testing, but it would not accept or store a relearn of the fully retracted and extended stops. The controller needs replacement. The reason the stop programming was lost could not be confirmed.

Work performed or recommended

What Sunset did or recommended

Responded to the emergency, retracted the slide-out fully, and tested the slide-out controls and controller. Attempted to relearn both travel stops, but the controller would not retain the commands. Recommended replacing the failed controller.

Outcome and next step

Where the service call stands

The slide-out was fully retracted so the motorhome was road-ready. This was an emergency retraction, not a permanent controller repair. The owners plan to replace the controller after returning to North Carolina.

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