Hydraulic Slide Fluid - Montana Owners Club

mtnhntr · 09-19-2006, 05:19 PM

The hydraulic slide system for our 2005 2955RL is low on fluid. The manual says to use automatic transmission fluid (ATF). I can do that, but all the ATF I have found is colored red and the oil in my reservoir is clear - presumably came that way from the factory. I much prefer the clear as any leak won't stain things up too bad. What do you all use, and if it is clear, what and where do you get it?
Thanks, Ken

Mac · 09-19-2006, 05:38 PM

Ken,

MIMF2 (Dale) who works for Lippert suggests the least expensive ATF you can get, usually a brand at WalMart that I don't have in front of me right now. But the color doesn't matter in the least. I never have thought about your point about staining but I don't know what to suggest for a "clear" fluid, I'm sure they're out there.

mac

bsmeaton · 09-19-2006, 05:56 PM

Ken - you're right, mine was very red. Never thought about the stain if the bedroom cylinder ever lets go. Of course I'm not going to think about it either, because everytime I do IT HAPPENS

.

You might ask the Monty Dealer or any RV Dealer what they use. May have a Lippert product on the shelf. I'd be a little nervous asking NAPA, as you might get the right color but the wrong product. It seems to be a lot lighter weight than standard hydraulic fluid.

firetrucker · 09-19-2006, 08:17 PM

Dale does say to use the Dexron/Mercon ATF fluid, but as Mac said, the cheapest you can find. I don't think I've seen it any color but red, though. If you look at the specs for ATF, you might be able to reference it to a specific type of clear hydaulic fluid.

Bob

mtnhntr · 09-19-2006, 08:59 PM

Thanks for the replys. I since stumbled on to a similar post in the technical forum section and the ATF seems what is to be used. I just wonder where the clear stuff came from in mine. I asked a Montana Dealer and he didn't know. I will probably just go with red stuff.
Ken

Paul Severson · 09-20-2006, 04:01 AM

I have the same model. Have you noticed a leak? Why is the fluid low? I check every couple of weeks and so far no change in the level. I don't believe that there should be any usage due to normal use.

mtnhntr · 09-20-2006, 06:35 AM

Paul, we just got the 5er so I havn't had time to notice any level change. However, there was some fluid in the drip tray which also dribbled down to the top of the battery box. The people we got the 5er from said they at one time had a leak, but couldn't remember where for sure (they hadn't used it for a year). They had the dealer fix it. The fluid that I wiped up may have been left over from the earlier leak, but I am watching it closely. The level when I got it was 1/2 full and it is a clear fluid, which I would like to get if I could only find out where.

mtnhntr · 09-20-2006, 07:15 AM

I called the dealer that sold the 5er and they said that if my fluid was clear to use HWH hydraulic fluid and to not mix automatic transmission fluid with it. ATF was ok, but I would have to first purge the HWH out. I am going to post a thread on the technical forum to see if the factory rep will respond to the use of HWH.

zteg · 09-20-2006, 09:03 AM

Ken,
Just filled mine with red on saturday. Just make sure its rated A. Could not get in auto store but found in Sears.

Cat320 · 09-20-2006, 09:48 AM

I kind of like the red it will help to identify what's leaking.

jpkelpe · 09-29-2006, 11:45 AM

Dale (MIMF) says it makes no difference if the color is not the same--just the cheapest ATF "DexronIII/Mercon,Mercon 5" you can get is fine.

mtnhntr · 09-29-2006, 05:58 PM

Dale responded to my personal message and said that ATF is OK to mix with the claer stuff. So that is what I will do.
Ken

Okie Guy · 09-29-2006, 07:32 PM

Guys...being a farmer, redneck, cowboy guy I would think it would be the same thing as what we use in teh tractors. Mystic hydraulic fluid comes in clear and in a very light green color. You might look at the local Tractor Supply store or Atwoods Farm and Ranch store.

Hope this helps!

Okie

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