What type of fluid goes in the Slide tank?

lacofdfireman wrote:
I have a 2007 Georgetown 350DS with a Double slide. Large Living room slide and a small bedroom slide. I was looking at the tank that holds the hydraulic fluid and it's only half full. Is this normal? And what type of hydraulic fluid is used in the reservoir?

Slide is a Lippert..

aw32 hydraulic oil most likely maybe dextron atf oil also

When you looked at the tank and it was half empty - was the slide out? If yes, pull the slide back in and then check the tank. Don't fill the tank with the slide out.

When the slide is out, the fluid has gone into the cylinders to push it out. When the slide is retracted, the fluid will return to the tank.

Bill

Trackrig wrote:
When you looked at the tank and it was half empty - was the slide out? If yes, pull the slide back in and then check the tank. Don't fill the tank with the slide out.

When the slide is out, the fluid has gone into the cylinders to push it out. When the slide is retracted, the fluid will return to the tank.

Bill

Great advise. Yes the slide was out when I checked.

Aw 32 is cold weather hydrauic fluid, akin to 20 w motor oil. Aw 46 is more suited to all season use, Aw 64 for hot weather
Hydraulic fluids are not multi viscosity like motor oils. they need to be chosen for their viscosity at temperature of usage.

ALL Jack and Slide rooms use Dextron Transfluid. NEVER use Hydraulic fluid. Doug

Glad your here Doug.

The level may depend on the position of the slide, but since the slide out is a "Double Acting" cylinder I am not sure how much the level will change (Double acting means it can push or pull by the way).

Should be a label on the tank as to what it holds.. May be covered in oil and hard to find.. Clean carefully.

wa8yxm wrote:
The level may depend on the position of the slide, but since the slide out is a "Double Acting" cylinder I am not sure how much the level will change (Double acting means it can push or pull by the way).

Should be a label on the tank as to what it holds.. May be covered in oil and hard to find.. Clean carefully.

This is correct for most slide cylinders. The fluid displaced when the ram moves is just moved to the "backside" of the ram. NO EXTRA fluid is used from the reservoir. But, there are some type slide mechanisms that do use a little fluid, but not much fluid is used. LCI reservoirs have a low and hi level mark on the reservoir. I would activate the rooms and then see where the level is then retract and see if you are concerned. Doug

dougrainer wrote:

wa8yxm wrote:
The level may depend on the position of the slide, but since the slide out is a "Double Acting" cylinder I am not sure how much the level will change (Double acting means it can push or pull by the way).

Should be a label on the tank as to what it holds.. May be covered in oil and hard to find.. Clean carefully.

This is correct for most slide cylinders. The fluid displaced when the ram moves is just moved to the "backside" of the ram. NO EXTRA fluid is used from the reservoir. But, there are some type slide mechanisms that do use a little fluid, but not much fluid is used. LCI reservoirs have a low and hi level mark on the reservoir. I would activate the rooms and then see where the level is then retract and see if you are concerned. Doug

Perfect. Will try this today and add accordingly.

Double acting cylinders do NOT have the same volumetric capacity on both sides!
The diameter of the ram will determine the difference in capacity. A larger diameter ram will have a much greater difference in capacity than a smaller one.
Whether the fluid level is checked with the ram extended or retracted will depend on how the cylinder is mounted.
I recommend finding the name of the system manufacturer, google it, and download the Owners Manual.
Good luck.