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Old 05-09-2012, 09:49 AM   #1
Gkerlin
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Hydraulic slide shut off valves

My unit has 4 slides with shut off valves inside a small door on the front outside of the coach.

It seems as if sometimes the valves work to shut off a slide and sometimes they don't. It should be a simple process but perhaps I'm dense.

I've noticed that sometimes I will go to shut off a valve and there is pressure against it and it springs back to the open position. Other times (most of the time) the valves will turn with no resistance at all. They turn 180 degrees - up being open and down being closed.

Today I shut off 3 of them, went in the coach and started to close the large LR slide... it went about 1/2 way and then all of a sudden the other slides started to come in.

When I went outside the other valves were closed... perhaps a tiny tiny bit open. It seems that they might have opened slightly when I was closing the LR slide.

I can't for the life of me believe that this is a two person job... one to hold the valves shut and one to operate the slides.

I'm glad that all 4 slides move in and out but it sure would be nice to just move the one that I want sometimes.... Again - once in a while I can.

Does anybody have any thoughts? What am I missing here?
 
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Old 05-09-2012, 10:44 AM   #2
nosticks
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They are sensitive. Turn them fully off or on. Sometimes at first they creep. I found by cycling the slides one at a time fully in and out the creep cleared up. I think they just needed purged through use. It was a big issue for me due to where my unit was located in my former storage area. I had I-Beams, and neighboring boat protrusions to navigate the slides in and out. I could even get the entertainment slide to stop part way out to avoid this hulk of an excuse for a boat that never moved next to me, and then the last slide would begin to move.
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Old 05-09-2012, 11:22 AM   #3
Fireater99
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We had the same problem on our brand new fifth wheel. I made several calls to the dealer and manufacture. Finally was told to check the fluid level, but never even thought about since we had just picked up the unit the day before from the dealer. After checking the fluid, I found it to only be a 1/4 full. When we did our walk through all the slides were out, and when I questioned the salesman about the fluid level then he stated that they checked it. Anyways I filled it to the required amount and everything works like it is suppose to. On another note, our valves turn past 180 degrees. I hope this helps.
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Old 05-09-2012, 11:32 AM   #4
bncinwv
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X2 on the valves gong past 180 degrees, and they must be turned the full amount past the 180 degree mark to function correctly. At least I can confirm that with regards to our rig (2011 model)
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Old 05-09-2012, 11:46 AM   #5
1retired06
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A problem we have never had.
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Old 05-09-2012, 12:17 PM   #6
Gkerlin
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What is the normal amount that the reservoir should be filled to? All my slides are presently out and the container is about 1/4 +/- full.
I just ran them all in (one at a time and they worked) and now the container is about 1/2 full. Perhaps a tad more.
Also - what sort of fluid do you fill it with. I assume hydraulic but is there a specific weight or brand to use?
The valves turn to about the 6:30 7:00 position to off, and as I said - this time they all went in one at a time. I'll do as you suggested nosticks and see how things go.

Thanks everyone
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Old 05-09-2012, 02:26 PM   #7
Fireater99
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1/4" from the top, with all slides in.
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Old 05-09-2012, 03:01 PM   #8
dieselguy
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Always check your reservoir level with all slides in ... if you add any fluid with your slides out, you'll have an oily mess when you retract them next time. A really basic explanation ... As the slides extend, the oil in the reservoir pushes the cylinders out thus the level drops ... when retracted, the oil returns to the reservoir thus the level increases. Use the cheapest tranny oil you can find at say Wally World ... believe us we know what we are talking about. With the slides all in, fill the reservoir to about 1" or less from the top. This will keep the oil level well above where the pump could suck air. The reason some of your slides sprung back somewhat was there was air in the system. Cycle all your slides completely in and out 3 - 4 times ... this will self purge most all the air out.
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Old 05-09-2012, 07:30 PM   #9
Art-n-Marge
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Maybe it's changed for newer rigs but in my '06 Monty, turning off the valves takes some effort and it takes several rotations in a clockwise manner to ensure the valve is closed. Same thing with turning back on, it takes several rotations and the valve has some resistance before it gets to the open position.

My manual states the reservoir should be filled when all slides are in and to 1/4" of the top of the reservoir. I marked the level with a permanent marker to make it easier to see.

You have to use the right tranny oil too. It's Type A (not Type F). There are many alternatives to Type A since it can be hard to find. Check with autoparts person for safe (and cheap) alternatives (Dexron/Mercon?). Like mentioned above, there's no reason to use the highest priced stuff.

I just realized I have had just about every "easy" problem with my slides. Low battery (learned to check battery charge), not stabilized before sliding in or out (too much movement, start/stop requiring better circuit break (upgraded CBs), low trans fluid (filled properly now) and getting a chair crushed because it wasn't strapped down in transit (haven't replaced it yet). I hope I never have the real bad issues like bad pump, bad motor, slides moving out by themselves or misalignment.

I hope your problem is just low fluid.
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Old 05-10-2012, 12:42 AM   #10
Gkerlin
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Thanks for all the tips. To be clear, the rooms are not shifting after extended/retracted so that's good. I have a suspicion that I just wasn't turning the valves enough. My valves turn about 190 degrees or so. I was probably turning them just to where the pointer was pointed at "off" (180 degrees) rather than going all the way to the stop. Seems like all is working fine now.

I went to Keystones website and D/L'd an owners manual since even that was not in the rig when I picked it up.

Going to get some type A ATF fluid today and fill the tank to the appropriate level.

Thanks again.
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Old 05-10-2012, 10:31 AM   #11
Gkerlin
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OK... I went to 3 different auto parts places and nobody had the type A. They all tried to give me type F and I told them that was no good.

One place had 3 different types of hydraulic fluid and the guy there said someone came in recently looking for type a ATF but then grabbed one of the hydraulic fluids instead and said "this will work" but the auto parts guy did not remember which one he grabbed.

Can anyone tell me what is a suitable alternative. Perhaps a name brand that's easy to find. I really am not worried about the cost because all I need to put in is about a pint or two tops.

Are any of the Dextrons OK?

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Old 05-10-2012, 11:21 AM   #12
maximo
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I have the Lippert 6 point leveling system in my 2011 Big Sky. If you have the hydraulic jacks be sure they are also up when you check the fluid level.

Frank
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Old 05-10-2012, 01:04 PM   #13
bncinwv
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According to our hydraulic guru (MIMF), dextron is fine, see this previous thread:
Hydraulic Fluid
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Old 05-13-2012, 02:35 AM   #14
CamillaMichael
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Gkerlin

What is the normal amount that the reservoir should be filled to? All my slides are presently out and the container is about 1/4 +/- full.
I just ran them all in (one at a time and they worked) and now the container is about 1/2 full. Perhaps a tad more.
Also - what sort of fluid do you fill it with. I assume hydraulic but is there a specific weight or brand to use?
The valves turn to about the 6:30 7:00 position to off, and as I said - this time they all went in one at a time. I'll do as you suggested nosticks and see how things go.

Thanks everyone
As you see, different members have noted different fill levels for their rigs...documentation for our Montana atates 1" from the top with slides in. You probably should check the documentation for your specific rig to make sure you are not filling to the wrong level.
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