Door Side Slide Problem

[Dick D]

I think I have air in the hydraulics in the big door side slide.

It goes in just fine, but needs manual help coming out (pushing on it).

Has anyone done an "air bleed" on one of these, and if so how did you do it?

[USA in a Chevrolet]

According to my manual for the Lippert system, First make sure you have enough fluid in the resevoir. You need automatic transmission fluid & the resevoir should be filled to within 1/2 inch of the top when all slides in & landing gear up. Then operate the slide several times & the air will be worked out of the system.

[wingnut60]

Does it need to be pushed on all the way out, or just to get it started?

[Dick D]

USA, thanks for the quick response. Does your Manual say what type of Auto Transmission fluid to use? Type F, or Dextron, or one of the many other types. I looked on my tank and it is a little low but makes no indication as to the type of tranny fluid to use.

Wingnut, it starts out on it's on but about 1/2 way then it needs manual help. This is only when going out. It does fine, when going in.
I assume that the air is on one side of the line only. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[USA in a Chevrolet]

USA, thanks for the quick response. Does your Manual say what type of Auto Transmission fluid to use? Type F, or Dextron, or one of the many other types. I looked on my tank and it is a little low but makes no indication as to the type of tranny fluid to use.

Wingnut, it starts out on it's on but about 1/2 way then it needs manual help. This is only when going out. It does fine, when going in.
I assume that the air is on one side of the line only. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

The fluid is Dexron III. You can go to the Lippert site & download the manual.

[Dick D]

USA,

Thanks for the information. I shall make a visit to Wally World in the morning and see if they have it, if not, it's off to the auto parts house.

And Thanks for the information about the download at Lippert. I will get it too.

[wingnut60]

My Lippert manual say ANY type of automatic transmission (ATF) fluid is ok to use--maybe newer models are different, but for the ''05 any type works.
Joe

[Dick D]

Thanks Wingnut

Since mine is also an 05 I think I will use Type F. The Dextron III is a Synthetic and quite a bit more expensive and I would bet that what's in there isn't synthetic.
So I'll use what I think is already there.

PS. I want to thank you and USA, for all the help. You both gave me much more information than I had before I started this thread.

[Motor31]

I have an 05 and was told to use Dexron 3 by the Lippert tech. That was confirmed when I had a front Jack ram replaced going on 3 years ago.

[wingnut60]

Sure wish there was some consistency in what you get from Lippert--I was at the factory last Sept having the pump ungraded to get rid of the 'drop' when raising the trailer--asked about the hydraulic fluid, was told any ATF works.
Joe

[BlueSkyRanch]

According to Lippert info on the Internet they ask you use ATF. See link

http://www.eaa1358.com/Passport/Slideout/Lippert%20Slideouts/Hydraulic%20Slideout-Web.pdf

[terry and jo]

Does anyone else think that there is the possibility that Lippert has changed fluid "types" over the years? After all, just in this thread we are dealing with different year models.

That said, if anyone gets in touch with Lippert, maybe they ought to ask them if there has been changes over the years and if they have a list of model years and fluid types. I'll have to search for it, but I'm thinking that there was an e-mail link to someone at Lippert on one of the forums.

If I find that, I believe I'll contact them with that question.

[Dick D]

My old traveling buddy called Lippert about another matter, and while he was talking to them, he asked them about what oil to use.

They recommended Dexron II or III. They said that the synthetic oil will make the slide come in quicker in cold weather.

They also recommended that the oil in the resivour be changed every 36 months. This is the 1st that I have heard about a regular oil change, but I think I will do it since I need to add oil anyway.
I think I can take a 2 or 3ft piece of 1/4 hose that is easily obtained at an auto parts house, or the hose for a windshield washer and siphon it out without too much trouble. If I can get most of it out of the resivour, then the rest won't matter. Adding the synthetic Dexron makes sense, and so does the oil change after 6 years. Mine's an 05 too.

[Red Ram]

I for one would like to see them put a spin on filter to filter the fluid. With over 38 years in maintenance, all the systems that I seen that were operated by hydraulics had filter systems on them. It would be easier to change a filter now and then to keep any moisture and dirt out of the system.

[terry and jo]

I found an e-mail address on the website for Lippert today and sent a message and received a reply. That message and reply will follow. I will note that I have replied to Mr. Bice to verify that they are recommending the Dexron III for all model years. So far, I've not received a reply to my request for clarification.

The bottom part is, of course, my original message:

TERRY,

We recommend Dexron 3 transmission fluid in our systems

David Bice
Lippert Components Inc
Customer Service Representative
866-524-7821
574-534-7161 Fax

Thank you for your business.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sent: Friday, April 15, 2011 1:30 PM
To: Ecommerce User
Subject: Type of Fluids for RV Hydraulics

Sir or Madam,

At 5th Wheel Forums, there is a discussion going on online about the type of fluid to use in the hydraulic systems in DRV Suites fifth wheels. The link to the discussion is here:

http://www.5thwheelforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3326&highlight=lippert+email

The different DRV Suites models range over different years and some of the owners are reporting different types of automatic transmission fluid for use in the hydraulic system in their units. With some calling for Dexron II or III and others just mention ATF as a fluid.

With the possibility that Lippert might have changed types over the years, is there a specific type of fluid for different model years or can one particular type of automatic transmission fluid be used in all of them.

I have searched for and found this e-mail address via the internet, so if it is addressed to the wrong department or person, could you please forward it to the proper individual or reply to me with the correct e-mail address.

Thank you for your time and consideration. By the way, my wife and I own a 2010 DRV Suites 38 foot Mobile Suites and the level up system on it was my first experience with hydraulics on an RV. Even though I was familiar with hydraulic systems on farm equipment, I was very pleasantly amazed with the speed of raising the front of the coach, leveling the whole coach, and the operation of the slides. How is it that one can fall in love with mechanical devices?

Terry Miller
Tuttle, OK

[terry and jo]

I got a clarification from David at Lippert. The Dexron 3 is what is recommended for all the pumps they have used. I don't have his e-mail reply right handy to copy and paste into this message, but he has verified what I just wrote and what was in my previous message.

Hope this helps everyone.

[wingnut60]

I still think any type of brand-name ATF is suitable for this application. There is no temperature aspect to degrade the fluid, and generally, no way for contaminants to enter the system (condensation can always form in the fluid resevoir). If contamination were a hazard in this system, we would be told to replace the fluid at certain intervals, or there would be a filter to change. If the brand of the fluid was important, it would be addressed in the manual with dire warnings cancelling the warranty (similar to the Ford/GM/Allison transmission recommendations).
And full synthetic should always be better than conventional ATF, especially if operated in areas of low temperatures.
Joe

[USA in a Chevrolet]

I still think any type of brand-name ATF is suitable for this application. There is no temperature aspect to degrade the fluid, and generally, no way for contaminants to enter the system (condensation can always form in the fluid resevoir). If contamination were a hazard in this system, we would be told to replace the fluid at certain intervals, or there would be a filter to change. If the brand of the fluid was important, it would be addressed in the manual with dire warnings cancelling the warranty (similar to the Ford/GM/Allison transmission recommendations).
And full synthetic should always be better than conventional ATF, especially if operated in areas of low temperatures.
Joe

I think it is more than brand. Chevy & Ford each use a different type of transmission fluid which has different properties. That is why you can't interchange the fluids between Ford & Chevy. I imagine that if you were to drain the fluids completely & refill with the other brand you would be ok. You just can't mix two types of fluid. The same is true with antifreeze types.

[rogandveda]

Just wondered if anyone knows where you can get Lippert Hydraulics worked on that they really know what they are doing and understand the systems?
Like a Lippert RV repair service?

[jcasey]

I forwarded your inquiry about where to find a good Lippert "fixer" to a "well-placed source" and got this recommendation:

If they are in TX , they can go to Bennett's RV Center in Granbury, TX, which is southwest of Fort Worth. They do a great job of hydraulics and are Lippert certified. Their service center also added the Level-up to units on their lot that were in stock. Bob Tidge (works for Lippert, I think) said he would allow them to work on Lippert hydraulics anytime.