Community Forums

jvalich · 12-07-2017, 05:57 AM

My friends, newbies as well, came home to find a puddle of hydraulic fluid under their bedroom slide. It's a 2003 Winnabago Adventurer I believe. Guessing the issue is a line, a ram or the pump.

Does anyone know if the slide needs to be removed to access the mechanicals? Removal certainly adds to the labor cost. They have a mobile tech coming in a few days.

Thanks!

smlranger · 12-07-2017, 06:03 AM

Surely not necessary to remove slide. It may be as simple as a leaking hose fitting or hose. Hose can be replaced. If it is a leaking cylinder, it may require gaining access by getting under the bed depending on location of leak source.

Bart Anderson · 12-07-2017, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smlranger

Surely not necessary to remove slide. It may be as simple as a leaking hose fitting or hose. Hose can be replaced. If it is a leaking cylinder, it may require gaining access by getting under the bed depending on location of leak source.

I too had a leaking slide up in Bath Maine on my 2003 Itasca Sundancer. I discovered a leaking hose. Removed the hose and took it to NAPA. They made a new hose and I put it on at the campground. Problem fixed!

chunker · 12-07-2017, 06:29 AM

Could be as simple as a loose fitting. Many of the hydraulic fitting are compression or flair fittings so don't use gorilla force to tighten. I would first relieve the hydraulic pressure, loosen the fitting then tighten securely. Wipe it all down and try the slide. That's assuming you find the source of the leak. Since it appears to be on a concrete slab, a creeper and flashlight will be useful.

jvalich · 12-07-2017, 08:22 AM

Thanks! I'll pass it on. My slides are a cable system so I'm not familiar with how the hydraulic systems are installed and component accessability.

marjoa · 12-09-2017, 06:24 AM

Removing slide is not necessary. But since he's under there fixing the leak, this would be a good time to perform PM on the whole system. Like....replacing the fluid, greasing the ram seals at the bottom of each ram, cleaning chrome rams with a silicone based lubricant, checking all electrical contacts and the like. Read the manual for full list of items and schedule. This is something that he can do himself and should learn to do.

jfoldesi · 12-12-2017, 06:13 AM

Probably using Flat rate manual

FIRE UP · 12-12-2017, 10:26 AM

jvalich,
As has been stated, the leak could be a number of potential issues. A ram seal, hose, fitting, etc. I hope it's not the worst. And that is, one of the two rams that extends and retracts the bedroom slide. I don't like classing all Winnes as being the same 'cause, there's at least some differences in certain models and operations. I say the "Worst" because, I've been there, TWICE! And the worst is, it's the master ram (forward one) for the bedroom slide.

I've only read of one other instance on this forum where the bedroom master ram was leaking, other than ours. And, if it wasn't for that person having the misfortune of that leak, and what it took to remove that ram to get it replaced or repaired, I'd never have known. It's a very, very intense and laborious job to get that ram out of there. I won't go into all the details now, unless asked.

Heck, even getting to the fittings on it is no small feat. But, seeing a spot on the floor beneath that area, is not necessarily indication that it's a disaster. As stated, it could be a hose, a fitting etc. A bit more information is needed to narrow down a procedure. Good luck and, please report back on what's found to be the culprit.
Scott

tboss619 · 12-12-2017, 02:06 PM

A good thing for you 2 do is record the event or maby take pics while he is doing the work and post it on here as a sticky..Might save somebody a lot of time and trouble in days to come ..just a thought good luck Terry

jvalich · 12-12-2017, 10:38 PM

Fortunately it's not my coach but rather a friends. They had a slide issue last year that was a 7 month repair. A mobile tech from Good Sam pushed in their other slide causing huge damage. Insurance covered this repair. I don't know if the repair shop did anything to the bedroom slide. They have a mobile tech who fixed their refrigerator last month coming to look at it tomorrow. I'll report back as to what he found. I'm crossing my fingers for them as they have had a lot of downtime with the coach and some major expenses.

saddlesore · 12-12-2017, 11:08 PM

I have a HWH LR slide that has developed a leak, will be going to the shop in a month or two... Just have been debating whether or not I want to drive the 2,000 miles to Moscow IA. or try to get it repaired near home.

fottip · 12-13-2017, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drwwicks

Many of the hydraulic fitting are compression or flair fittings

"FLARE" fittings...not "flair". Sorry, but words mean things.

rgvtexan · 12-13-2017, 06:17 PM

I knew what he meant, but thanks for the spelling lesson.

jvalich · 12-14-2017, 05:03 PM

The mobile repair tech said it's the ram. They are waiting for him to find the part so he can determine the cost. Does the slide have to come out to replace a ram?