Hydraulic slide out issues while traveling
After buying a used 5th wheel, prepping it, and setting out on our cross country journey, we thought we had all of our ducks in a row, but our hydraulic slide out mechanism stopped functioning at our ...
Forum Discussion
Njmurvin wrote:
Wow! You must have the world's worst luck with slides.
I had a hydraulic ram go bad on my previous trailer. The only complication was that the manufacturer of the ram went out of business and I had to find a "close" match. It seemed to work fine but it was fairly expensive as I recall. I also learned (too late) that they can be rebuilt - especially if you have farm equipment dealers in the area.
I would think that repairing your new trailer would be cheaper than taking the hit on another trade. But that's your call. You'll probably have better luck finding competent service techs able to work on a mechanical slide.
Ludicrous that any tech that has to deal with hydraulic systems didn't know that elementary fact about cylinders. Nothing but a heavy-wall pipe with the closed end either welded up or a plug threaded in and the other end, where the rod comes out, with a threaded plug with a hole for the rod and seal (yes, this is =very= simplified). I know guys who simply build their own cylinders, duplicating an OEM cylinder. Just have to make sure to hone the interior smooth, like an engine cylinder.
Lyle
