AC Dripping - Page 2 - Montana Owners Club

bsmeaton · 08-08-2006, 09:06 AM

Steve,
Are you using a slider hitch in you shortbed?

sreigle · 08-08-2006, 03:44 PM

Brad, I have a slider hitch but have had to slide it back just four times in 11 years. Two of those were with Montanas, since January 2001. The rounded nose on the Montanas give you a pretty good turn radius. With the new nose cap I hope we never need the slider again.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

bsmeaton · 08-08-2006, 04:14 PM

Steve,
I had one put in, and like you, I've only used it twice. Unfortunately I tried to use it last week and it plain won't move. The locks clear (quikslide) but nothing. I can drag the trailer around the parking lot with the brakes on and nothing. I can move it a couple of inches unloaded, but nothing with weight on it. I suppose I may have rusted the rollers, or when they swapped to the new truck the got it out of alignment but it sure looks OK. Ever have trouble with the rollers on yours?

Ozz · 08-09-2006, 01:55 AM

Streigle,
I did take it there, he greased the slip yoke and said that was all he could do.
The problem is with Ford, they will not repair the problem. I am assuming that if they fix mine, it may set a president, or something. Any dealer will only go as far as authorized by the big Ford man in the sky. If they do any further mechanical work, they will not get reimbursed for the work.
They call Ford, describe the problem, Ford says tell him it's normal.
I will drag them to court, and 5 minutes before the Judge gets in, they will settle, or buy back.
These big corporations try and wear you down, they just haven't figured out yet, that I am about half nuts.
The attorney is free for me, the Lemon Law insures that the automaker pays all the freight. IF you have a valid case.
I do.
Ozz

'07 3400RL 2nd RTU
2 Golf Cart batteries 1500 watt inverter
Honda 2000 Generator, 2nd one and twinning kit coming
Maytag's with 220 Dryer
Stationary domed Sat. dish
LCD 12 Volt Amp gauge
LCD Tank Monitor
3 added 120 volt outlets
On Board Air; 12 Volt Viair 450C compressor
2006 Ford PSD 4x4 Off Road Lariat
Hadley Air Horns
Truck inverter with 110 volts for laptop
Color Backup Camera
Awning lock

sreigle · 08-09-2006, 11:01 AM

Bsmeaton, the rails may not be precisely parallel or are binding for some reason, as you mentioned.

I had the problem a few years ago where it didn't want to slide. A friend took his rv slideout lubricant and sprayed the heck out of the rails and inside the mounts, everywhere he could spray on parts that move or slide. Then we tripped it and gave a healthy shove with our feet. Ever since then it slides very easily.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

Clyde n Deb · 08-11-2006, 06:11 AM

Brad: Was in the sand at Big Mac last weekend, and tried to put the Monte thru the back window of my GMC. Caught it just in time when I heard the window starting to make unorthodox noises. No damage fortunately. Slider wouldn't budge. It's gotta be kept lubed, and I get really lax on it as I seldom need it. (twice in 2 seasons). When it's lubed, it works fine.

'05 2955RL
'04.5 GMC D/A
SRW Short Bed Ext. Cab
16K Reese slider
Prodigy

bsmeaton · 08-11-2006, 07:57 AM

Hi Neighbor (were down the street),

How did you get it to finally release? (Penetrating oil?), what grease do you use on it (Rollers - rails)?

I haven't been to Mac since Memorial Day. How's the water level? We were up during the big windstorm on Memorial day that did some damage on the beach.

rickfox · 08-11-2006, 05:56 PM

Better late than never,

As I have previously mentioned Brad, its good to hear you've had no problems towing your boat thus far. My endeaver of towing a 1500# MC trailer is much less demanding except it is only a single axle, and the 3400 is quite a bit longer.

I installed the very hitch that was shown in the photo above. I was not satisfied with the way the cross member was mounted to the side brackets (with only one bolt on each side) and reinforced each side with 2. I probably will have them welded when I get around to it.

I'm happy that all have been polite in discussing your set up, as I sure took a shelling not so long ago when I mentioned installing a rear hitch.

Rick & Wanda
2003 2500HD Crew Cab
Duramax with Allison Trans.
Firestone Airbags
Glide-Ride Pinbox - It's Great!
2006 3400RL - We Love The Trailer!

Montana Customer Service?

Clyde n Deb · 08-11-2006, 06:07 PM

Brad: Chris at Del Camino lubed it for me when I brought up the problem. I think CW actually sells some kind of lube designated for it. The weight of the 5er actually makes it worse. Mine slides fine now without weight on it, but not loaded. Think it was just a combo of white lithium and silicone. Gonna dig thru some stuff in the garage and see what I can come up with. Don't think it's as complicated as we're making it.

Clyde

'05 2955RL w. Onan 5.5 LP
'04.5 GMC D/A 4" exhaust, deep Allison pan, extra cap. rear diff. cover
SRW Short Bed Ext. Cab
16K Reese slider
Prodigy
and a smile this wide!

illapah · 08-12-2006, 04:29 AM

We had same water drip (run) problem on our 2955. Had the dam installed (or whatever that piece was), NO JOY! Had the lo profile replaced under warranty with standard unit. No problems since. Lo profile also was freezing up condenser coils. Noted that later models of Montana have moved ac to a rear location too.

Illapah
Ely, NV
03 2955RL
05 Ford F350 PSD Lariat

sreigle · 08-12-2006, 04:59 AM

I've tried several different lubes. The standard slideout lubricant you buy at CW or some Walmarts works far better for me than anything else. It's not cheap at something like eight or ten bucks per can but is it ever good at keeping that slider working!

Illapah, at our factory tour last month we were told in response to a question that the AC was moved to the back to keep overall height down. The Montanas got taller in late 2003 when they went to the flat floor upstairs and taller basement storage area. At one point the brochures showed 12' 11". 2004, I think. Moving the AC reduced the overall height a couple of inches or so. Adding a 2nd AC increases the height, however.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

bsmeaton · 08-12-2006, 06:08 AM

Steve, that is what the dealer told us in '03, the low profile AC allowed them to raise the roof. It changed midyear though, so some of the 2003s are still the lower roof. Clearly it sounds like they gave up on the low profile ACs and just moved it further down.

Don't think I'll get much support through warranty for an '03, but I think I'll have a chat with the dealer about a standard replacement. It has been in every year with the problem, but they just tighten the bolts.

Illapah, was the standard unit a Dometic? and did it cure the problem?

Brad & Dory

bsmeaton · 08-12-2006, 06:11 AM

Thanks for all of the info on the slide lube folks. Got a CW down the road and I think I'll work the problem this weekend.

Brad

sreigle · 08-12-2006, 11:03 AM

Brad, ours is an early '03 and has the lower roof, lower basement, and the step up into the bedroom. There were quite a few other improvements in the later '03 models, most from things they read about on this forum.

Yes, the Dometic DuoTherm has been on the Montanas at least since our 2001 model and maybe prior to that.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

MAMalody · 08-12-2006, 07:15 PM

How is the best way to measure for height? I installed the 2nd ac on a 3575RL and my rough measure, hanging a tape over the side, puts the height at 12'11".

Mike

F350 7.3L LB
2003 3575RL

sreigle · 08-13-2006, 03:58 AM

Mike, there may be more than one way but I find the highest point (the AC in our case), lay a 2x4 across it, then measure from board to the ground. Have a rope tied tightly around the 2x4 and have someone on the ground bring it taut and mark it with a marker where it touches the ground. Then climb down and measure from board to mark.

If the ground is level you can lay a level across the board to make sure you're getting an accurate measurement. I generally just flatten the board against the AC. That's close enough for my purpose. I'm going to allow several inches for clearance, anyhow. Ours measures 12'7" and I use 13'0" for my limit as far as what we're going under.

See another Montana or Mountaineer on the road? Flash lights twice, it might be one of us!
Steve Reigle (pronounced Regal)
Fulltiming since 3/21/03
'03 3295RK
'05 Ford F250 SD Lariat CC SB 6.0L PSD/TS FX4 4x4

Our RV Travels (now Firefox-compatible)

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