Slideout trouble

[John Berger]

I've got a 2001 double-slide Montana fifth wheel. When I bring the slides in (I have to hold the switch) the motor keeps running for an intermittent amount of time(sometimes 3 or 4 seconds) until yesterday when I brought them in and the motor ran for almost 20 seconds before shutting off. I do not have this problem when putting the slides out. The same thing occurs if I try to bring it in with the switch on the motor. Any ideas on where to start with troubleshooting the problem? Am I looking at a sensor, or a switch? TIA

 

[TowPro]

Not sure how yours work, but here is how my 2000 Terry's works.



there is an electric motor (looks like a starter motor) that moves a rack gear, that is attached to the slide.



When I hold the switch, it will move the slide until it stops, but the motor will keep trying which causes a large current draw, which triggers a auto reset (heat type) circuit braker.



Personaly I hold the switch until the side is open, then let the switch go, same with bringing it in. why rely on a full loaded motor triggering a circuit braker to let me know the slide is open or closed.



by not triggering the brakers to go off, I feel thats one less thing that can go bad down the road.

 

[Barry]

I have the same trailer. Check fluid level in the hydraulic resevoir.

 

[John Berger]

Barry, fluid level is good. Why would it "stick" when pulling them in, but not pushing them out?

 

[KennyM]

Is there a small starter (relay) that runs the motor? It may be sticking. You would have a different relay for each direction. Which would explain the sticking in one direction. If you have these then try and swap them. I had the hydraulic system on the fiver we just sold, but never had an issue where I had to see how it worked.

 

[Barry]

Sometimes when bringing in the slide the rubber flap seals around the slide curl in and just for an instant bind the slide on it's inbound journey. May not be your problem... ... ... ... . Also, if your unit is like mine('01 Montana 2955RL) both slides are on one system. Has it always done this or has it progessively gotten worse? Does it do it all the time?

 

[John Berger]

Barry we have the same trailer. It started doing it early last winter. I checked the fluid level yesterday (slides in and out) and that is fine. The switch stuck for less than a second each time I brought them in while troubleshooting yesterday. Is it possible to adjust these things?

 

[phoekema]

worked for me

I had a '97 Holiday fifth wheel with hydraulic slide actuators and experienced much of the same thing you are describing. I first swapped the hoses around on the pump. This will make your switch work in reverse (out is in and in is out) but it checks out the pump and a possible valve problem. In my case it made no difference, but it convinced me that the real problem was the hydraulic cylinder seals internally (used to call them 'leathers' in the old days). Because the Holiday has this area enclosed and it is a real pain to replace the cylinder, I took a chance and added power steering additive which is supposed to renew the seals etc. That helped a lot for me.

Even if it only helps for a while, it pretty much proves the cylinder is at fault. Good luck... ..... hope another idea may help you solve your problem.