Main Living Slides

[WRWGN]

As my signature states, I have a 2019 40-KSSB4 Mobile Suites.


The last 2 stops I noticed that when opening the unit, the main floor (ODS and DS) slide take a long time to start moving after depressing the switch. It sounds like the hydraulic pump is trying to build up pressure. The ODS side moves in and out normally once it starts moving. However, the DS slide is very jumpy and slow when moving out or in.


My thought is that it may be low on hydraulic fluid. Does the slides share the same reservoir as the leveling system? The leveling jack are fine except the front ODS seems to make a noise periodically. I found a reservoir in the battery compartment above the batteries. The fluid seems low, but the jacks and slides are extended. Also I don't see a line indicating normal level. If the reservoirs are different where is the other and which is which?

[porthole]

Same tank.

All slides in, all jacks up, about 1” from the the top of the tank (trailer on the truck).

On mine, once the fluid level is correct I ‘Sharpie’ a level line with all slides out and a typical auto level jack extension.

[porthole]

The slides don’t move right away when changing direction due to the way the hydraulic rams are adjusted.

Look under your slides at the ram ends and you will the adjustment nuts that are the stoppers the ram operates against.

There is a 2” to 4” gap between the nuts, that is the delay you are probably seeing.

[WRWGN]

Thanks. Don't understand why the DS slide is hesitates every 2-3 inches of movement and seems to jump alot. The ODS slide is very smooth.


Also, how to fill the reservoir if low.

[porthole]

Thanks. Don't understand why the DS slide is hesitates every 2-3 inches of movement and seems to jump alot. The ODS slide is very smooth.


Also, how to fill the reservoir if low.

Hesitation every 2-3” is something else, something binding. The ram pushes and pulls on one end and uses a rack and pinion to move both ends out evenly.

Have someone operate the slide and watch the movement.

[wingnut60]

I would think the first thing to try would be some dry silicone grease, sprayed generously on the rack teeth--don't use reg grease. If that doesn't help, maybe something on the rack is out of line/binding. To see the operation of the slides, it will be necessary to cut into the chloroplast cover in two places--each cut in line with the slide rack. If you do this, make the cut a 3-sided piece that will hang down from the front-facing side. Once you find the problem, you can easily place the cut portion back with screws/gorilla tape or such.
If they are still the same as my former '05--the slide ram is at the rear of the DS and at the front or the ODS.
Use a turkey basting bulb to fill the reservoir...don't try to pour out of the oil container, it is a tight fit in there.
As porthole said--1" from top of tank (not top of fill neck) when all slides are in and all jacks are up when hitched.

[WRWGN]

thanks guys. didn't see anything that might be binding without cutting into the underbelly. No strange marks on the front or rear rack. I will be hitching up in the morning so I'll check the fluid level then. If needed I'll get some fluid.

[WRWGN]

I pulled in the slides, hooked up to the truck and after checking, the reservoir is only 1/2 full. Tomorrow I will be topping it off. I'll need to keep an eye on the level to see if there is a leak somewhere. I don't see any oily spots on or around the jacks so I don't think there's a leak there.

[WRWGN]

I filled the tank to 1" from the top. It took nearly 3 qts. The auto parts store had a little hand pump that screws onto the bottle and has an 8" hose. Made it a lot easier. But everything is running so much smoother.
Thanks to all the responses.

[porthole]

3 quarts is a lot of lost fluid. If you can, you should check every fitting.

Good chance you could get a bit of a turn on most of them.

[wingnut60]

This has to be a very new unit--either it wasn't filled at the factory (if not, where was the dealer PDI on this?) or there is a very bad leak somewhere.
3 quarts would be easily visible somewhere--sounds a lot like both the factory and dealer messed up.
As porthole mentions--are there any fittings with obvious fluid drips on them in the pump compartment.
Lets hope is was only a lack of first fill that caused the problem--keep an eye on the reservoir.
Joe

[WRWGN]

I'm checking what I can get to without dismantling anything. I'm also going to keep a close eye on the fluid level. I need to take it back to the dealer when we get back so I'm gonna bring it to their attention too.

[hdrider]

I'm checking what I can get to without dismantling anything. I'm also going to keep a close eye on the fluid level. I need to take it back to the dealer when we get back so I'm gonna bring it to their attention too.

Sent you a PM, or at least I think I did lol.

[clev]

WRW, when I got my 2017, I was new to all this hydraulic stuff, but I'm a little anal (not the associated body part). I've read every manual that came with my RV at least 3 times each, some 5 times, not counting all the online research. My hydraulic fluid jug was less than half full and the slides 'were just not right'. Following the manual, I brought in all the slide, and added "TWO QUARTS" of synthetic hydraulic fluid. That brought it up to about an inch below the top. Like porthole, I drew a line. The best advice that I can give is read your manuals.

[Cummins12V98]

Not long after owning our 16 I retracted EVERYTHING while hitched. I sucked all the fluid out and replaced with AMZ/OIL Synthetic ATF, 3 years later no issues.

[clev]

I am a firm believer in total synthetic fluids.

[porthole]

Not long after owning our 16 I retracted EVERYTHING while hitched. I sucked all the fluid out and replaced with AMZ/OIL Synthetic ATF, 3 years later no issues.

Have you been in any really cold areas to compare performance with the Syn ?

[Cummins12V98]

Have you been in any really cold areas to compare performance with the Syn ?


Not with this DRV but 07.5 DRV was in some weather in the teens in SD and all worked well.

[Dmcfarden]

I noticed this past trip that I had several hydraulic hose fittings that were dripping fluid. The largest leak was on the front left jack near the heating unit. I could order new hydraulic hoses for the front but does replacing them require a full drain and then bleeding them or just how complicated is this task, better left to the trailer shop?

[dmorse68]

I filled the tank to 1" from the top. It took nearly 3 qts. The auto parts store had a little hand pump that screws onto the bottle and has an 8" hose. Made it a lot easier. But everything is running so much smoother.
Thanks to all the responses.
What type of hydraulic fluid does DRV use? What is recommended?

-David

[Cummins12V98]

What type of hydraulic fluid does DRV use? What is recommended?

-David


They use plain ol Dextron. I use 100% synthetic AMZ/OIL ATF.

[WRWGN]

So far so good. Two stops going thru the leveling process and it has maintained the proper level since filling it.


I might empty the tank and go with synthetic when I get to Texas for the winter. For those who did that, did you flush it multiple times to get all of the Dino (non-synthetic) fluid out?

[Cummins12V98]

Bring in all slides and rams while hooked to truck. Suck out all the fluid and refill with synthetic.

[WRWGN]

Thanks much.