Community Forums

belanga · 09-05-2015, 08:15 AM

We have a 2004 Gulfstream Sun Voyager and all of a sudden the main slide is creeping out about 2 inches over a very short time. Not sure where to start looking as the cause. It only goes out about 2 inches and stays. Any ideas?

ronnie_g · 09-05-2015, 03:18 PM

I am having the same problem on my RV. First it was only the bedroom slide out. But now a few times the living area has moved out while in storage.
I got the thought that maybe I need to hold the retract switch a while longer to put everything under stress. Not sure if that helps. Larger one has not moved, but smaller one was out maybe 3/4" the last visit. Have been considering calling a shop for support.

armymsg97 · 09-05-2015, 07:26 PM

I talked to me RV tech and he recommended using the slide locks. My front two were both sliding out about 1" or 2" when in transit. Since using slide locks problem has been cured.

ronnie_g · 09-05-2015, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armymsg97

Since using slide locks problem has been cured.

I have seen slide locks mentioned, but as far as I know I don't have them?
Is that something you add on, or what?

When we were looking at motor homes we did notice some had plates on the floor & slide out to attach a cord / wire but I don't have that in my unit?

armymsg97 · 09-06-2015, 10:05 AM

Slide Locks can be purchased at a RV store (may have to order). They come in three different sizes(lengths) depended on width of slide. Work on the same principle as a load lock in a semi trailer. If you google rvupgrades and search slide locks you can see an example of one. Hope this helps

RayHarkness · 10-02-2015, 12:49 PM

2002 Gulfstream scenic cruiser. Slide outs were creeping. Everybody had a different idea. Talked to a HYDRAULIC repair shop. They came out. Simple, the cylinders seals were shot and the fluid was bypassing....They had to pull them out, take them to shop, rebuild. Easy Peasy...that was the easy part.
Back, re install them. Working like a charm. problems solved. Rv dealers thought it was motors, motor brakes, leaks, everything under the sun. These guys listened when I cycled one slide, and said..they could hear it. FIXED...done QUICKLY. They also do level cylinders as well. Same things can happen. anybody has any questions, RayHarkness@outlook.com

and the price was a lot cheaper then ANY RV dealer, that probably wouldn't have a mechanic that could do this function. I have photos of the cylinders, and you can easily see they seals were totally shot. R

BeachDude · 10-02-2015, 01:01 PM

As mentioned already, slide locks are the solution.

Once upon a time, most RV manufacturers included one for every slide when you purchased a new motorhome. Thor still does it for their larger Class A models with big slides.

Over time, some unscrupulous dealers would remove them and "recommend" that you purchase them at the parts department counter. Eventually, even the manufacturers stopped automatically supplying them.

It's nothing more than an adjustable length bar with pads at each end. It's designed to keep your slide from opening. But you better remember to remove it, or you WILL burn out your electric or hydraulic slide mechanism if you try to extend while it's in place.

That was a very common source of warranty repair when the bars were standard equipment and the new owners forgot to remove them! Hmmm? perhaps that's why they are not standard equipment with most manufacturers these days?

RayHarkness · 10-03-2015, 06:07 AM

BeachDude is right...be careful of those slide locks. I did read where somebody used them, and the slide creeped, put pressure and it damaged the "lips" of the slide. On ours, if we had slide locks, when the ram was pulled in, you could see pressure going back out. If I could not have got the hydraulic rams repairs where we have the unit stored, I would have opened things up and put 2x4's or something, on the frame work. There was a ton of pressure bypassing.....

Sadly, the fix on our was replacing the hydraulic rams. The problem one was the bedroom or back slide, but we found similar condition on the main room slide ram. Just deteriorated seals....

Again, I was going to buy new rams and replace them myself, but they were VERY expensive, and I could not find the same rams available. That gave me the idea to check on Hydraulic ram repairs. This is very common on most construction equipment, done all the time. This allowed us to keep the SAME rams, reinstall them and all was still matched up. I am happy with that.....

R

RayHarkness · 10-03-2015, 06:09 AM

Let me add a photo of what we found..this explains it all easily....
see if I can figure this out here.

RayHarkness · 10-03-2015, 06:12 AM

try this again.

belanga · 10-03-2015, 07:23 AM

I think the issue is fluid leaking internally on the cylinder or valve. When I return home I have a RV repair company that I talked to and he stated it was a leak thru somewhere causing the creep. For now until I get home I will use my locks. Thanks for all the advice. The motorhome is a 2004 with 106,000 miles and it could be just worn out seals somewhere.

RayHarkness · 10-04-2015, 07:51 AM

I would almost bet this is what your going to find. We could hear the fluid gurgling when pressure on..bypassing.
not a hard fix, can keep the same cylinders, but getting some of them out is the real job.

I would tend to suggest a hydraulic repair place, they make sure the cylinders are buffed down propertly and to specs, then new seals. I guess anybody can do it, but I think somebody that specializes in just that procedure would be the best. I for some reason have not had a lot of faith in rv dealers....they want to sell units and get them out the door. I called several rv dealers on my issue, and the answers I got back were off the wall....and certainly VERY expensive....good luck..post back what you find. I would be interested.

belanga · 12-11-2015, 07:43 AM

I took it to the local RV shop that he is a hydraulic person. The first step he did was drain all the fluid out and replace, as per the company that make the slide equipment. They told him air will get in the system and cause this issue. I am not a hydraulic person so they could say the position of the moon could cause it. I cost me $114.00 for this to be done which I thought was bad and it appears to have solved the problem.

RayHarkness · 12-12-2015, 05:13 AM

if you got air in the system, something allowed this to happen, to get air into the hydraulic lines. they are sealed. UNLESS you got low on fluid, which also should make you look for any kind of leaks, that results in loss of fluid.

If you push the slide out, and strain at the end, and hear gurgling in the cylinder..its bypassing. Its normal. I suspect your seals could be bad or going bad. Just keep an eye on it. 105 bucks to put in new fluid??? You know, that fluid, which is probably Auto Trans fluid, doesn't get overused. I supposed it could get moisture in it. If it starts doing it again, your going to have to remove those cylinder, have new seals installed. That isn't all that expensive in the big picture. biggest problem is getting them OUT!!! My guys helped me on mine...then you have to reinstall, same position and lengths, and put in new fluid....Its a pain. but my slides are working great now.

Problem is we don't use these enough, and the seals can dry out. I am going to run mine in and out just a bit, when its stored, just to keep fluid on the seals.