Does Your Unit Have Hydraulics? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Does Your Unit Have Hydraulics?

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

Seems like a broad statement...I have a hard time believing that every single rig with slide outs should follow their advice. I recently helped one of my fellow workampers get setup and the slide outs work sequentially, they can not control which slide comes out first/second/last.

I was not given any instructions like that with my coach. About the only rule they gave me was to make sure the coach suspension is aired up before operating the slides. It's a Monaco thing...but I have operated my slides with the air dumped as long as the coach is on near level ground and the leveling pads didn't have to do much twisting of the frame to get the coach level.

RickandJanice · RV-Dreams Family Member

I think Terry's point is to check with the dealer and if they do not know then check with the manufacturer. Since I was the one who made the statement in the other site, I can tell you that this was a question that I never thought to ask when buying our unit. I'm sure it differs between manufacturers also.

This particular case was in reference to DRV's only and even the engineer that told us this, said it was by design on DRV products Because of the way the hydraulics are routed on these units, the bedroom slide is the high point in the system and closest to the pump which makes it easier to work a bubble out as a bubble will always try to migrate to the high point in the system.

Thank you Terry for posting this on RV Dreams as this is probably something that anyone with hydraulic slides or jacks needs to be aware to ask about on their particular brand of rig. It was by coincidence that we we just heard this at the rally in June and then had an air bubble two days ago after owning our unit for 3 years. Knowing this save me allot of headaches and a service call on a unit that is now out of warranty.

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

My Cedar Creek has hydralic slides and does bedroom one first then entertainment center next which is the next size up then the sofa/dining room slide last which is the largest slide.When pulling them in it still does the smallest slide to the largest slide in order.I can't change the sequence but can shut individual valves to keep any one of the three from operating.

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry and Jo have the Mobile Suites as we do. The Mobile Suites is a little different that some other brands. The Suites has individual switches for each slide. And I also haven't been doing the slides in the proper sequence. The person who pass this information out at the Suites Rally in Colorado Springs (Bob T.) is the engineer who help designed the the Trailair Level Up system and Dale F. also was there, owner the Trailair Company which he sold to Lippert, Trailair makes most of the slide room systems. If you think about the sequence it makes since. Also the Mobile Suites is all hydraulic, slides, and all 6 Hydraulic jack work off the same system. By following the sequence that Bob pointed out will help keep the air out of the system.

However as others have said you should follow the instructions of what ever brand you have. Thank Terry good info.

bzffr8 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry, We also have a Mobile Suites. When we pulled it for the first couple of times we noticed that the Dining room slide would be out at the bottom by a good 3 inches upon our arrival at the campground. Since we lived in Indiana we took it to Paul at Interstate RV for some other warranty work and we told him about the slide coming out when moving.

He told us that there could be an air bubble in the system and he asked us what sequence we used to close slides. Our sequence was bedroom, kitchen, then dining. He told us to run the kitchen in first, dining room second then bedroom last. We were skeptical but followed his advice and so far since July everytime we have moved we have had no issues with the slides coming out. I am not sure if there is a correct sequence or not but this one has worked so far.

Ken & Sarah · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have and Excel and no one told me to do it that way. I usually do the bedroom first whether sliding in or out. I was told when pulling the slides in and put them out again and then pull them in, this should eliminate any air bubbles and after a few times of doing this the possibility of the bubbles would cease. So far we haven't had any problems.

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

The only hydraulic system I was familiar with was on cars 30-40 years ago, and then when we changed brakes you always got some air in the system and they had to be bled. There was a valve at the high point that you opened and depressed the brake pedal till the fluid came out steady.

I can't believe the technology has changed that much. Air will make the system inoperable, and there must be a way to bleed it.

Serengeti2001 · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have a 2001 Safari Serengeti (hence the screen name), and it has a hydraulic system.
The system controls both slide outs, bedroom & living room/kitchen area along with the leveling jack system.
This past year we saw that the large slide out would come out several inches as we traveled, and upon inspecting the system we found a leak in one of the hoses.
The hole was where the line came through the frame.
To repair it I had to remove one of the two fresh water tanks just to get to the lines among a lot of other lines and cables.
I did not replace the line but i cut it at the hole and put on removable fittings along with a metal 90 degree elbow to prevent this from wearing again.
The cost of the parts were under $20.00 and luckily enough I could DIY.
As for bleeding the system we just ran both slides in and out several times, and on our last 1300 mile journey we had no problem with the hydraulics.