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12-22-2010, 10:21 AM
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#1
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Union Bay
Posts: 92
M.O.C. #8385
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Slide Hydraulic Fluid
Please confirm that I can use Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)to top up the reservoir to about 1/2-1 inch of top, and all slides IN.
Thanks, B
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12-22-2010, 10:42 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Santa Fe Springs
Posts: 4,189
M.O.C. #639
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Thats what I use and it'ss in the manual for the pump too.
__________________
Pulling a 2004, 2980 RL an oldie but goodie.
Tow vehicle is a 2009 RED RAM 3500 DRW.
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12-22-2010, 11:25 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Essex
Posts: 1,123
M.O.C. #6880
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Don is right. Was told to find the cheapest transmission fluid and you'll be good to go.
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12-22-2010, 01:17 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 908
M.O.C. #7915
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I put a line with a magic marker on the side of the tank indicating the fluid level with slides in and the level with slides out.
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12-22-2010, 07:04 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Land O Lakes
Posts: 2,783
M.O.C. #10246
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Based on advice from this forum, we use AT fluid to top off ours....
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12-22-2010, 07:35 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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The book says ATF Type A (versus Type F). Type A was hard for me to find and now it's called Mercon or Dextron or something like that can be used. Check with the autoparts store experts for a suitable alternative to Type A then buy the cheapest one, nothing fancy is needed if you can't find Type A.
With the slides in fill to 1/2" of the top of the reservoir (not from the top of the cap). Make sure the cap area is clean before opening it to eliminate contaminants from falling in. The permanent marker at this 1/2" spot on the reservoir will make things easier for next time.
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12-23-2010, 09:15 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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Yes, use the cheapest transmission oil you can get at Wal-Mart. MIMF is a member of this forum and an expert on the slide mechanisms. That's what he recommended we use.
Orv
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12-24-2010, 03:32 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Goshen
Posts: 1,058
M.O.C. #2827
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Hey B, go down to your local "Wally-World" and back to the automotive section. Look for their brand of ATF. I think it is in blue 1 quart bottles. At least...it used to be.
What you are looking for is a label that says "Dexron/DexronIII-Mercon/Mercon5". When you open the bottle and start pouring it into the pump tank, you'll notice it is red in color. That does not matter. Pour it in anyway.
Add the fluid with all of the rooms in the closed position and fill it up to about 1/2" from the bottom of the fill cap in the top of the tank.
Any other questions, you know where to find me.
Dale
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12-24-2010, 04:53 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Hollister
Posts: 1,043
M.O.C. #10764
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I thought I read on RV.net or someplace that using a synthetic ATF is better if you are operating your slides in cold weather. Comments?
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12-24-2010, 06:22 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Omaha
Posts: 2,073
M.O.C. #2780
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Let me tell you at 13 degrees those slides move real slow--of course when I am that cold I move slow too
__________________
Paul and Jan Kelpe
2014 Big Sky 3150RL
2015 GMC Denali, Duramax/Allison
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08-18-2011, 07:02 PM
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#11
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Surrey
Posts: 68
M.O.C. #10340
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I thought I read somewhere that the hydraulic fluid (AT fluid) should be changed every 3 years or so. Has anyone ever done this? How to you drain the fluid in the reservoir?
__________________
2018 Denali 3500 SRW
2007 3400RL
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08-19-2011, 08:38 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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That's a good question. I've had my rig for 5 years and have never dchanged out the fluid and didn't think to read that it's required. I don't use my rig very often and suspect the fluid is not as "weak" as others, but all fluid gets old over time. The fluid is still pretty pink in my rig. Like in a vehicle, the fluid will discolor and age because of the heat associated with how it's used.
I could see pumping out the fluid in the reservoir and replacing that, but this does not cover the fluid remaining in the hoses. Kinda like changing the fluid in the braking system, it requires some kind of bleed system and this has been possible with my vehicles but I am not aware of a similar system in a slideout system.
I hope someone can suggest something and it isn't a major production and therefore very expensive.
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