Hydraulic cylinder protection...is it needed?

“I would spray/wipe as per the owner's manual ...” Gee, follow the owner’s manual. What a concept. What does the manual say, Teeshot? Hopefully not one that asks (easier) than reading.

HWH says to spray with WD-40 and wipe off.

I would spray/wipe as per the owner's manual and again before you retract in the spring.. Overkill? Perhaps but I've had to force jacks to retract on two Motor homes. one is mine

My are down for three month parked on the ocean for five years . They look new and work find.

Use silicone spray and not WD 40. it attracts dirt. silicone does not.

Ordinarily those cylinders are not going to rust but we all know they make things as cheaply as possible on RV's.
It certainly wouldn't hurt to put a little something on them - just for insurance.

My Kubota is nine years old and had sat in the weather for half it's life and now sits under a shed. Hydraulic rams look perfect and work perfect and never put anything on them. Same with my fifth wheel. They're designed for the elements.

1. Just make sure they stay clean. Just hose them down if blowing wet debris gets on the silver piston
2. You do need to cycle them twice a month. This keeps the seals moist and flexable.
3. You also need to cycle your slide rooms twice a month also. Hydraulic or electric. Doug

I think MH people worry too much, look at all of the heavy equipment and farm equipment sitting out there with exposed hydraulic cylinders that are never treated with anything - and yours are under the MH not sitting out there in the elements.

Having said that, I spray mine with silicone spray every couple of weeks and usually when raising them if they've been down for a couple of weeks. Makes me feel good and doesn't harm the cylinders.

Bill