Bed rail lubrication

[rstephenhoward]

I recently purchased a 1996 Coleman Sun Valley and wonder if anyone can advise me as to whether I should occasionally lubricate the rails which support the sliding beds.  If so, what should I use? One side seems a bit stiffer than the other.

Thanks,
Steve

[bill623]

Wd-40

[hoppy]

On the bed rails on my Mesa, I just use a paper towel to remove the aluminum oxide and dust from the tracks. IMHO, using a lubricant may attrach and hold dust and other debris inside the tracks.
This seems to help mine to slide easily. You might want to check the slides for restriction throughout the entire travel of the bunks.

[wavery]

Spray a little silicone on a rag and wipe down the rails. Spray the rollers with Silicone spray (just a tiny bit).

I wouldn't use WD40. Although WD40 is a fine cleaning agent, it is nearly useless as a lubricant. Because it is petrol based, it can damage the plastic, nylon or Teflon rollers.

People think that WD40 is a good lubricant because it does eliminate squeaks a frees up sticky parts. Although, all it is really doing is cleaning out the gritty particles that are causing the problem.

If you have oxidation on the bed-slide rails, a little WD40 on a rag should take it right off (silicone is not a cleaning agent). Give the rails a few minutes to dry, then apply some silicone.

[haroldPE]

yes to silicone spray.  i use it twice per year on my bed rails and lift posts.

no to wd-40

[He Ruide]

I use a teflon lubricant - its called "RV Slide and Glide Dry Lubricant"

Ruide

[coach]

I use Non RV specific Dry Silicone spray

like this spray

Coleman's owner's manual calls for very sparingly, silicone spray only for the lift system pulleys, so just use that!

The 1996 Coleman owner's manual has a maintenance chart beginning page 41. Lubricate bed slides is listed under the heading "Annually or after long term storage".

Hope this is helpful.

[WolfPack]

I use silicone spray by CRC just a little on the bed rails and lift post.

[4Campers]

I use silicon spray once or twice a year. Spray some on a rag then wipe down the rails and lift tubes. Suprising how much dust can collect over a few months.