Hydraulic Leaks & Slide-Out Creep - smart beds et al

[robbyray]

Wanted to close the loop on several nagging problems I had with hydraulic leaks and slide out creep on my 2008 Alpine (36' FDDS). The easy one was the LR slideout creep and the front PS smart bed creep. Replaced two solenoids and the creep disappeared, evidently according to HWH, a fairly common problem and solution. The difficult one was the hydraulic fluid in the rear DS smart bed cavity (below basement floor level) after replacing the two hydraulic hoses. This one turned out to be two leaking / defective hydraulic rams slowly leaking on the bottom side of the rams pressed against the cavity floor where it was extremely difficult to detect. Every shop after the leaking hoses were replaced, except one, said they couldn't find any leaks or that it was simply residual spillage from the two hose leaks. Aubrey's in Yakima was the first to say it was the hydraulic cylinders. A trip to HWH in Moscow IA confirmed it was two cylinders which were quickly repaired, along with the two solenoids. Interestingly (or surprisingly), one hydraulic manifold services two smart beds and one room slide out (the one in the ceiling of the rear smart beds) and another hydraulic manifold (the one in the PS front bay) services the other two smart beds and the second slideout. There are spare solenoids on both manifolds if ever needed in a pinch as long as one carries spare fittings to plug the solenoid openings after removal of the spares. Monitoring hydraulic levels in the common reservoir for all slideouts and smart beds confirmed that the leaks were eliminated. Commercial "Brake Cleaner" was used to clean up the residual hydraulic fluid in the one "below basement" area. Hopefully "end of story" thanks to excellent diagnostic expertise and service from both above entities. ray

[EngineerMike]

Ray- you can permanently reclaim the "extra" solenoids using a machined plug. The solenoids are ~$150 ea, and the plugs ~$35. I did that when one of my spare solenoid valves started leaking. HWH didn't sell plugs, only solenoids (I guess they haven't' sold too many manifolds where the coach mfgr didn't use all ports.

Did you record the solenoid positions vs slider devices for front & back? If yes I'd like to compare notes on whether WRV was using the same schematic. I have 3 front & 3 rear devices like yours.

[robbyray]

Mike, know where the front PS smartbed solenoid is because I watched the replacement of that one. I will take a pic and either post it or send to you directly if you like. Didn't watch the one inside the DS smartbed ceiling but I can call HWH and see if they can tell me. They were surprised at one room slideout on each of the two different manifolds. Will be back to you later ASAI find out something about the setup. I was really pleased with Lon and his two techs plus the scheduler Tami. ray

[EngineerMike]

Dale Gerstel hypothesized the following numbering system and layout:
Room Slides:
DS Front = #1
DS Rear = #2
PS Rear = #3
PS Front = #4
basically CCW from #1 position above for numbering
Then, #1 & #4 off front manifold (both front room slides), #2 & 3 off rear manifold.

SmartBeds:
same CCW numbering and front-beds/front-manifold, rear-beds/rear-manifold layout.

If your rig is missing any room slide or bed, then that solenoid valve position is a "spare" plugging the hole. If your rig has 2 room slides & 2 beds, then you only have front manifold and no spare valves.

Let us know how yours works.

[Old Rv'er]

Robbyray - my smartbed ram leak was caused by the installer (WRV) who used channel locks on the machined bore of the ram when he was tightening the nut which hold it to the SB. Once it was changed I have had no leaks (knock on wood). HWH did a good faith repair on it several years ago. None of the other ones had/have this issue. I do have one SB which creeps out a tad over a weeks time, but I live with it, since it is so tiny.

[robbyray]

Mike, noticed you had an Hydraulic Cooler/Chiller over-pressurization or WRV recall issue several years ago. I have just blown my Hydraulic Cooler (29,000 miles) on my ’08 2-slide 36’ Alpine (HWH manufacture or in-service date Sep '07) with the redesigned radiator stack. Am currently stranded in Flagstaff AZ, at Freightliner where they have pulled the HC out and found a major crack in the HC metal housing where I lost much of my hydraulic fluid that power the brakes, steering and radiator fan. Would really appreciate your and other's feedback relative to: 1) How do I determine whether mine has been retrofitted with the upgrade Dave Campy (WRV) was sending out several years ago?, and 2) Where can I get a new HC if the current one can't be repaired and approximate cost; and 3) Where can I get the upgrade kit (65 psi pressure relief value, larger size fitting / hoses and approximate cost if mine doesn't already have the upgrade kit installed? Also noticed that Dale Gerstel and Kraig had some comments about this HC rupture issue several years ago. Thanks much, robbyray

[EngineerMike]

See response on hydraulic cooler on this thread.