Slide creep

[waynemoore]

I have a slide creeping problem and need some advice. It’s on a 2010 Mountaineer 305RLT. The slides will creep out from the fully closed position in less than 30 minutes. This happens when traveling or when in storage. I can close up the rig and come back 20 or 30 minutes and the bed room slide is out about 2 to 3 inches. Of course the other two slides are out a bit also. The longer I leave it the further the slides come out. It appears there is enough fluid in the reservoir when the slides are in, it is about ½ full. I have open and closed the isolation valves so I don’t think they are the problem but I am not sure of that. So what does the group think? Thanks for any help you can give.

[1retired06]

The valve would be my first guess. It is supposed to function as a lock and the reason lock bars are not required.

[Jolu]

Check the outside valve controls to be sure they are turned all the way open. If they get sort of not all the way open or all the way closed the slide can slip open some. I have had this happen.
Joe

[Carl n Susan]

quote:Originally posted by waynemoore


...It appears there is enough fluid in the reservoir when the slides are in, it is about ½ full. ....

What level is in the reservoir when the slides are out? As I recall, the reservoir should be full to within 1" (or less?) when the slides are retracted. If you don't have sufficient hydraulic fluid air will be introduced into the system when you extend the slides. One of the causes of "slide creep" is air in the lines. Especially when all of the slides are creeping.

[waynemoore]

Ok I called Lipperd and they said I need more fluid in the tank it is about ½ full when the slides are in. It needs to be about 1 inch from the top as Carl of Carl n Susan said. I am going to get some fluid and run the slides in and out several times in hopes that fixes the problem. Thanks Carl of Carl n Susan for the info and thank all for the help. I will let you know if that solves the problem.

[Carl n Susan]

After filling the reservoir, draw a line on the reservoir where the fluid levels is with the slides retracted. Check this mark periodically. The hydraulic system is a closed one. A leak somewhere is the likely cause of any fluid loss. If the fluid level starts going down you know you have another problem.

[GA Mountaineer]

We had the slide creep problem. Was a bad hydraulic cylinder on the bedroom slide. Was leaking internally from the extend side to the retract side.

[Wiesehan]

x2 on the bad cylinder. It took several trips to Keystone and Lippert before the bad cylinder was found and replaced. No problems since then. Good luck.
Don

[waynemoore]

Problem solved it was a low fluid reservoir. Filled it and cycled the slides though two times and as of this morning all is closed and tight. I will be watching the level as the fluid can’t evaporate so I would guess I have a leak somewhere. Now the problem of finding the darn thing? I can’t tell all you MOC members how much help and information I get from just reading your posts. Again thank you for your help.

[MIMF]

Wayne, most of what everyone said is true. With the rooms all closed, add ATF to the reservoir to almost the yellow cap on top of it. Then move the rooms out and back in. Go look at the fluid in the reservoir and if you see bubbles floating slowly up thru the fluid, you have air in the system. Operate the rooms in and out about 3 more times and let it set so, all of the air dissipates from the fluid. If the rooms stay closed, that is the end of your problem. But, please do make sure that all of the IRC valves are fully open before you start all of this. There is no inbetween on those valves. Either all the way open or, all the way closed.

If, after you have or, see no air bubbles in the fluid and the rooms do still creep out then, you have a hydraulic cylinder issue. Especially if, you close the rooms tight and then close the IRC valves.

Good luck and I hope this takes care of the issue.

[ols1932]

We went through the problem with slide creep that turned out to be a bad check valve in the hydraulic pump.

Orv

[maximo]

Am I right or wrong? If you have all the slides in and have the Lippert 6 point leveling system you will have to also have all the leveling jacks up. This means you check the oil level when the RV is hooked up to the tow vehicle and all slides are in. RIGHT???

Frank

[Carl n Susan]

Frank: you are correct!

[MIMF]

Frank, that would be the ideal way to check it but, really not necessary. For years, I have been suggesting to everyone that when all the hydraulics are working smoothly and the fluid in the reservoir is at the level you want, use a black permanent marker (Sharpie) and draw a line where the level is. Then, extend the rooms and draw another line. That line will be somewhere further down the side of the reservoir. Use that as a gage to determine whether or not there may be a leak some where in the system. If the fluid level ever starts showing up below either of those lines, you might want to start keeping your eyes open for a leak. If, I had the 6 point level-up, I would draw a 3rd line for when those legs were extended.

Just a simple way keep track of what is goin' on.

[waynemoore]

Ok here it is one day latter and the slieds are in and tight. I am one happy camper I will now keep and eye on it to see if I have a leak. again thank you for all the help.

[MIMF]

Good deal, Wayne!