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Old 12-28-2015, 02:55 AM   #1
CORattler
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Operating slides in single digit temps

Are there any special considerations or procedures for operating slides in single digit temps?
I know the slides will operate slower and the hydraulic fluid is thicker. I just don't want to break anything.
I was thinking of using a hair dryer to heat the hydraulic fluid reservoir tank and the pump motor.
 
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Old 12-28-2015, 04:11 AM   #2
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When we were full timers we were in temps as low as -10 and never had a problems at that temp. The only problem was with me hooking up at those temps.
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Old 12-28-2015, 05:40 AM   #3
rohrmann
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According to the LCI fluid recommendation chart, the above freezing fluids shown still will pour at -45 degrees, so you should have no problem. We've been in the teens a number of times and had no issues with the slides or jacks, once I had changed the pump breaker out to an 80 amp.
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Old 12-28-2015, 08:15 AM   #4
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That's the key. Keystone changed our breaker out to an 80amp under warranty because we kept having the breaker reset a number of times to get the slides in when it was really cold. After the breaker change, no problems.
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Old 12-28-2015, 03:29 PM   #5
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Never an issue for us, wintered one year in Colorado Springs. Always made sure we were on shore power when operating the slides.
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Old 12-30-2015, 12:23 AM   #6
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The only issue I ever had in temps that cold was ensuring that there was not any ice/snow on top of the slides. My slides really never worked any slower but my Reese hitch was froze and I had to use about a full can of deicer to get the arm to release.
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Old 11-14-2016, 02:56 AM   #7
WaltBennett
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I would think single digits wouldn't be a problem. Worry more about less than -10, when the fluid starts getting harder to push than the 'cost effective' pump can handle without burning out. Think about how your car's power steering and automatic transmission work at those kind of temps and you'll get it.
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Old 11-17-2016, 03:38 AM   #8
richfaa
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Thank goodness we have never been in cold weather with our Montana's and that was the plan.
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Old 03-11-2017, 09:06 PM   #9
The Impulse
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Smile Camping in the snow

We stayed at a casino Rv park 2 years ago over Easter Weekend and woke up to a couple inches of snow. The hubby had to drive the truck to each slide to brush them off to be able to close them. We were not prepared for that ... lol ..,
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Old 12-28-2017, 09:14 PM   #10
Bill.vannuys
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I had performance issues with my slides and level-up in cold weather; very slow and the breaker would trip several times. We do a lot of cold weather stays in Colorado and moving the slides and level up was a slow process.

Last week I drained the hydraulic fluid and replaced with full synthetic Valvoline ATF. The link below is the list of recommended fluids that I used to chose my replacement fluid.

https://www.lci1.com/assets/content/...mmendation.pdf


This totally eliminated the breaker problem. Additionally, the slides and Level-up are running smooth and fast now when operated around 15 degrees F. We have enjoyed below freezing temperatures for the past week and I am very happy with the result.
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