Forum Discussion

Jerry_B's avatar
Jerry_B
Explorer
Jul 19, 2017

Slide opens while in storage

I have a mobile suites with three slides that operate off a common hydraulic pump. On occasion, the large off curb slide will open about two inches while all power is turned off. What's the deal? It is stored in an open ended she'd.
  • Sounds like a leaky hydraulic valve. When power is removed it bleeds the pressure through and opens the slide a little. Any competent mobile RV Tech should be able to diagnose it and repair it.
  • sch911 wrote:
    Sounds like a leaky hydraulic valve. When power is removed it bleeds the pressure through and opens the slide a little. Any competent mobile RV Tech should be able to diagnose it and repair it.


    x2. Especially if there's an attenuator/accumulator somewhere in the system that keeps some pressure in it at all times.

    Lyle
  • After further consideration,we use the rv all winter and put it in storage in early March.I think when it self opens is late spring when the temps are higher. Could this be normal??
  • It actually could make sense, as the hydraulic fluid will flow easier when the temperatures are higher, so it could more easily leak past a seal.

    Is the slide the same distance out at the top and the bottom of the slide?
  • I have the same problem. On this forum I found a tip, that solved it for me. Run the slide out, hold the button down and let the hydraulics force fluid (and the air that is probably causing the problem) through the bypass for about 3 seconds. Run the slide in do the same. Repeat 2 or 3 times. It will not hurt anything. I would not try slide locks, but others have a different opinion.
  • I had the same problem with my triple slide Cardinal. It is most likely one of the hydraulic cylinders has an internal leak. This allows the pressure required to hold the slide in to leak off. The cylinder will work but will not hold the pressure over time. There is a test procedure to determine which cylinder is leaking. Google lippert hydraulic slide repair.