Slides and Leveling
I purchased a used 2006 Forest River Georgetown TS340. Since this is the first coach with slides and leveling I can say now I should have asked better questions. The one question I did ask during the demonstration phase "How do you get the slides and leveling jacks in if the button(s) don't work"? The answer I got "To manually retract hydraulic slides you have to open the manifold valves and physically push the slide in. A pretty labor intense process and usually requires more than one healthy person." This is not quite true, I have learned, more importantly if I can push in, how do I keep it there? Bungy cord and duct tape of course.
In the months I have owned the Georgetown I have learned more about Hydraulic Slides and Leveling than I ever wanted to know.
Lesson 1. Know where and what components make up your Slide / Leveling System.
I would suggest, strongly, you read the owner’s manual for the Slide and Leveling System and if necessary take the coach back to where you go it and have the dealer show you everything and label the parts with a sharpie or other. I have three slides and four leveling jacks, it was no fun learning this trial and error. The owner’s manual for the Slide and leveling system is awesome if you install or work on motorhomes’ for a living. For an owner Lippert is not helpful when writing their manual.
Hydraulic Power Unit Components:
A. Control Panel Slides
o Provides control to extend / retract slides when 12vdc is available
from house batteries
B. Control Panel Leveling Jacks
o Provides control to extend / retract leveling jacks when 12vdc is
available from house batteries
C. Reservoir
o Used to store hydraulic fluid for extending / retracting slides or
leveling jacks.
Reservoir is full when all slides are in (retracted) and leveling
jacks are up (retracted)
D. 12 VDC electric motor
o Drives the hydraulic fluid to extend / retract slides or jacks when
switch is pressed through the manifold to the hose and finally the
hydraulic cylinder actuator based on the position of the hydraulic
control valve.
E. Auxiliary actuation access (emergency extend / retract)
o Located at the end of the pump, it is used to turn pump if no
power is available or pump has failed. Operates by inserting a ¼
inch hex bit and rotating with an electric drill. It will extend or
retract a slide or leveling jack in approximately 45 seconds when
moving one slide or leveling jack at a time. Lippert technical
support states it will also extend or retract if turned by hand, no
estimation of time was given.
Clockwise to extend
Counterclockwise to retract
F. Hydraulic Manifold
o Connects the hydraulic hoses to each slide or leveling jack
hydraulic cylinder actuator
G. Hydraulic Control Valves (1) per function
o Based on the position of the Manual override valve and the
position of the slide or leveling jack switch will allow
Each Hydraulic Control Valve has an electric and manual
control. When a switch is pressed the Electric Solenoid
portion opens to allow movement, extending or retracting,
a slide or leveling jack. If there is a failure of the electrical
solenoid or loss of electric power a manual override allows
the operator to open the valve to movement, extending or
retracting, a slide or leveling jack
H. Trombetta Reverse Polarity Switch (Solenoid)
o Provides power, 12 vdc, to motor to extend or retract slide or
jack when switch is pressed.
I. Suppression Module
o Connects the switches, slides or jacks, to the Trombetta Reverse
Polarity Switch (Solenoid). It also protects the electronic
components from power surges.
Lesson 2. Practice manually retracting slides before you ever have too.
Do you have the tools?
Do you know where everything is?
Do you have access to everything you need to operate?
Do you know what manifold operates which slide or leveling jack?
Lesson 3. Testing and troubleshooting:
Failure of the Hydraulic Power Unit Components can generally be divided into 2 categories mechanical or electrical failure. A mechanical failure is a failure of any of the Power Unit Components including hoses, wires, slide components, leveling jack components, or fluid level. An electrical failure is a failure of the 12vdc house battery to supply power to the 12vdc electric motor.
• Test meter capable of measuring 12vdc and resistance in wires
• Standard wrench set SAE or METRIC based on your motorhome
• Screwdriver Flat and Phillips tip
Mechanical failures
Mechanical Failures are difficult to repair depending on mechanical aptitude and the amount of interference to evaluate the failure. A good example is a hydraulic leak found under a motorhome. The first question is where did it come from? The second is how many things do I have to take apart to get to the failed component? Third will I need help doing this, spouse may not count? Some things are better left to professionals, mostly because I have found lots of “How to Manuals” I have never found a “How to undo Manual”.
Electrical Failure
Because an electrical failure is a failure of the 12vdc house battery to supply power to the 12vdc electric motor they are generally straight forward to diagnose and repair as long as there is a basic understanding when each component will receive power and where to test them. The other reason is because there is generally a shorter list of possible failures.
He said the "Plastic Folding Hinge Assembly" that FR uses to Guide the hoses and Wires has Broken Several times! I have seen on this Forum the "Broken Bracket" and Members have "Adapted" a Steel strap Hinge for Repair! Just another "Slide Thing" to add to your List!
Linear Mode
