Sluggish slides: Dry lube?

[David T. MacNeill]

Our slides are on the sluggish side and I’m wondering if it has to do with the mild corrosion I see on the exposed slide rails when extended. This is a 16 year old coach that spent most of its time in one shaded spot, I assume with slides extended so the rails were exposed to the elements. Should I lube them, or will that just attract dirt? Would spraying dry silicone lube all over them be a good idea?

[rohrmann]

I would think about maybe removing some of the corrosion with steel wool or a fine sandpaper, then spray away with dry silicone and repeat as necessary. Hopefully that will solve your issue. I'm guessing your slides are hydraulic? Or, what are they if not hydraulic?

[David T. MacNeill]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

I'm guessing your slides are hydraulic? Or, what are they if not hydraulic?

I’m so new to this coach that I don’t know what powers the slides but I’m pretty sure they are electric. We had an issue of them not working when we were on 110v because of a wimpy 15awg extension cable. We replaced it with a stout 12awg Monoprice cable and they work. I think the wimpy yellow Camping World cable simply could not supply enough juice to get the motors running.

We have a 2001 Montana 3280RL, so if anyone knows what Keystone was using in those days please enlighten me.

[1retired06]

Our 2002 had three slides, all hydraulic. Suspect yours is the same.

[beeje]

Most likely hydraulic. All the steel under my slides was very rusted up so I cleaned it up as best as I could and sprayed it with rust reformer paint. That was 2 years ago and it still looks good. I spray dry lube on everything that moves under there a few time a year. I know you should not use any kind of grease. It will attract dirt and hold it there.

[jcurtis934]

Also wax the sides of the slide out rooms! Spray and wipe both sides of the outside flap seals with aerospace 303.

[cpaulsen]

My 3 slides are hydraulic also. Look in your front compartment and you should see the hydraulics and most likely 3 valves to operate whatever slide you want to open or close. I clean my rails and use white lithium spray lube on mine.

[David T. MacNeill]

Originally Posted by beeje

I spray dry lube on everything that moves under there a few time a year.

What brand of spray dry lube do you use?

[David T. MacNeill]

Originally Posted by jcurtis934

Also wax the sides of the slide out rooms! Spray and wipe both sides of the outside flap seals with aerospace 303.

Thanks for the tip. I’m ordering some tonight!

[beeje]

I also do as jcurtis does and keep the seals conditioned with 303 or slide seal lube. My unit gets waxed and buffed several times each year and lives in a pole barn.

cpaulsen, they say you should not use any kind of lube on the slide rails that stays wet as it will attract dirt and grit and hold it there acting like sand paper every time the slides are moved.

Any kind of dry lube can be used. I also spray down the hitch head and white plastic disk from time to time.

[cpaulsen]

Originally Posted by beeje

I also do as jcurtis does and keep the seals conditioned with 303 or slide seal lube. My unit gets waxed and buffed several times each year and lives in a pole barn.

cpaulsen, they say you should not use any kind of lube on the slide rails that stays wet as it will attract dirt and grit and hold it there acting like sand paper every time the slides are moved.

Any kind of dry lube can be used. I also spray down the hitch head and white plastic disk from time to time.

I camphost and do not move much. I check them before moving and use brake cleaner to remove whatever is then and then use the white grease. Never had a problem.