We have a 2002 Cardinal 29 WB LX. We keep it at a RV storage facility not too far from our home. A few days ago we went by to check things out and found the bedroom slide was not completely closed at the bottom. Maybe a 2-3 inch gap. We kinda looked at each other because we are very careful to leave things snug. We decided it had been an oversight so I hooked up the batteries and we closed er up. Disconnected the batteries and left. This morning we went back to look things over (have had a mice prob) and that slide was again open 2-3 inches at the bottom. With no power how is this happening? Anyone else had a similar experience? We don't believe in ghosts, lol but this is perplexing. Maybe a simple explanation. Anyone????

Is the parking spot flat? If at an angle is it possible the weight of the slide is causing it to creep?This is a real head scratcher. :hI will be watching this thread to see what you come up with.Bill

I have absolutely no suggestion for your slide issue. But, I'm well aware of ghosts from the days of raising kids. When we inquired of our youngins, "who did this?", their response was... "not me!" We had no one in the family with that name.:M

One very helpful gentleman suggested via PM that it could be a loose hydraulic fluid res. cap, or perhaps it needs fluid. He had had a similar experience. Love this site.

Hoppypoppy wrote:One very helpful gentleman suggested via PM that it could be a loose hydraulic fluid res. cap, or perhaps it needs fluid. He had had a similar experience. Love this site.If you have hydraulic slides this sounds quite likely.On the other hand maybe the mice have the hand crank.....:h

Hoppypoppy wrote:One very helpful gentleman suggested via PM that it could be a loose hydraulic fluid res. cap, or perhaps it needs fluid. He had had a similar experience. Love this site. Loose cap on reservoir will have no effect on this at all. There is absolutely no pressure contained in the hydraulic reservoir. In fact there may even be a vent in the cap. It's possible there may be a internal leak in the control valve. I know some trailers used to use a lock to prevent the slides from moving out when traveling or stored.B.O.

Ghost in Our Cardinal?? | Good Sam Community

Gib3633
Explorer
Aug 22, 2013
I have Montana which has a heavy slide move out at the bottom as well. Inside the door for the controls for front legs and rear stabilizers there are 4 valves one for each slide. I now close them each time I move and that took care of the problem. Hydraulic fluid merely back fed back to the reservoir. These valves can also be used for isolating a particular slide if so desired.
netjam
Explorer
Aug 18, 2013
Usually an rv place will just replace the ram. I would guess 2 hrs max plus the ram which is cheap. Where in AZ? Sunshine in Lake Havesu is OK. I have been to a bunch of others I wouldn't recommend.
Hoppypoppy
Explorer
Aug 17, 2013
Anyone have an idea of what it costs to have an internal leak in a slide cylinder repaired? It's Sat and the shop I normally use is closed. As far as heat being a factor I can find no record, other than the one mentioned in this thread, of ambient temp causing problems with hydraulics. A malfunction in equip can heat the fluid to a point it causes problems, but not just hot weather.
hoopers
Explorer
Aug 17, 2013
billmac wrote:
My comment sure got quoted. It must have been popular.

I will say that air can cause havoc in hydraulic systems. Ever had air get into your cars hydraulic brake system?

RV's get hot in the Texas sun, but not hot enough to make the transmission fluid act up in my rv slide system. None of my friend's rigs in Texas either.

Slide cylinders arms can get dirty and damage seals. Then they can leak. Usually air will often get in before the larger molecule oil can get out.

Again, just my 2 cents but I am not trying to be the definitive answer. Just trying to help a fellow rv'er with what I would look for. I think I am done now.

Lots of air in my hydraulic system the past 5 months. Only issue was the slides took a little bit longer to start moving, once I pushed the slide out button. However, my fifth is a bighorn, so maybe the design is different. I had several leaks in my system which has just been fixed.

According to Lippert's phone contact, their system is designed to purge any leftover air automatically after repeated uses.
Hoppypoppy
Explorer
Aug 17, 2013
partsman01 wrote:
I gave you an idea of a cause.

Yes you did, and I thank you. I even did some research on how heat affects hydraulic fluid. My results are inconclusive at this point, but I am not done. Just wonder why this issue has never come up in our other 5er, nor, according to the original owner, has it been an issue in the 11 years he has had it here in the Valley. Called him today. Just want to KNOW.
partsman01
Explorer
Aug 17, 2013
I gave you an idea of a cause.
Hoppypoppy
Explorer
Aug 17, 2013
Well, I am officially, and completely, stumped. Went to 5er tonight and went over every visible inch of slide system. Not a hint of a leak. Fluid level is good. Don't have a clue what to try next.....Frustrating!!!!
Hoppypoppy
Explorer
Aug 16, 2013
redsb3 wrote:
partsman01 wrote:
It is caused by the high heat and the thermo dynamics affecting the fluid, causing expansion and contraction, expansion while being heated makes it go out, then it cools, but there is no way for it to pull back, then the next time it heats up and creeps out a bit more, eventually leading to the gap you are seeing, put something there that would be like a pencil against paper and watch it and you should see marks made as the slide creeps out.

I believe this is the answer. I have no leaks and level hasn't changed in 4 years, yet every summer, mine does the same thing. The bottom will creep out about 2 inches. The reason I believe this is the answer is because it doesn't do it from late October thru May. Only does it when it gets really hot here in Tucson.

Could this be an issue of over filling? Not enough space to allow expansion?
redsb3
Explorer
Aug 16, 2013
partsman01 wrote:
It is caused by the high heat and the thermo dynamics affecting the fluid, causing expansion and contraction, expansion while being heated makes it go out, then it cools, but there is no way for it to pull back, then the next time it heats up and creeps out a bit more, eventually leading to the gap you are seeing, put something there that would be like a pencil against paper and watch it and you should see marks made as the slide creeps out.

I believe this is the answer. I have no leaks and level hasn't changed in 4 years, yet every summer, mine does the same thing. The bottom will creep out about 2 inches. The reason I believe this is the answer is because it doesn't do it from late October thru May. Only does it when it gets really hot here in Tucson.
billmac
Explorer
Aug 16, 2013
My comment sure got quoted. It must have been popular.

I will say that air can cause havoc in hydraulic systems. Ever had air get into your cars hydraulic brake system?

RV's get hot in the Texas sun, but not hot enough to make the transmission fluid act up in my rv slide system. None of my friend's rigs in Texas either.

Slide cylinders arms can get dirty and damage seals. Then they can leak. Usually air will often get in before the larger molecule oil can get out.

Again, just my 2 cents but I am not trying to be the definitive answer. Just trying to help a fellow rv'er with what I would look for. I think I am done now.

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