We spent the day driving on a very bumpy highway (101 California) and now that we are stopped for the night, we hear a loud knocking noise under the cap of the 5th wheel (Jayco Superlite) when we walk around the front of the trailer. Husband checked everything in storage under the rv, and nothing is rattling. We kept rocking the front of the RV, trying to locate the noise, and it is is now constant when we walk. Any idea what might be causing it and what to do about it? Our neighbors must be going crazy listening to the knocking.***Husband has been trying to locate the sound. It is not under the front cap; it is in the front storage area--there is square metal column on the right side by the winch. The sound appears to be coming from that--like something has rattled loose.

Check the front landing gear brackets Does it sound metal on metal or what

The sound is more like a cable or pipe knocking on wood.

What part of 101 are you on. I am in Eureka and can help if your on this end of 101

Mother-in-law stowed away to get out of this ****** Alberta weather.:BSorry couldn't resist. MIL is mad at me because I am going to Costa Rica and leaving her at home with the dog !Sorry I can't help unless it has something to do with your landing gear.

Knocking noise in front storage area -- metal column

ipeltier
Explorer
Jan 06, 2014
Just an update--we moved further on down the coast to a new rv resort, and the knocking noise has stopped. Perhaps the previous site was unlevel on one side so that the bottom of the landing gear was at an angle. Or the crummy California 101 highway bumped the problem back into shape. ;)
ipeltier
Explorer
Jan 05, 2014
maxum1989 wrote:
I have had a similar sound issue with my landing gear legs if that it what the sound is coming from. I had a little movement in the inner tube against the outer wall of the landing gear leg. While the trailer was unhooked from the truck, I took a heavy hammer(or axe-use the blunt end) and hit the leg right at the bottom near the ground to just shift if sideways a hair. Worked instantly. Just moved enough to take the movement out. It did take me a little while to figure out where the sound was coming from.

Your situation sounds the same as ours. Husband doesn't feel comfortable whacking the axle, but wedging that thin piece of putty knife in between the inner and outer tube has eliminated the movement and noise. Thanks for your input.
maxum1989
Explorer II
Jan 05, 2014
I have had a similar sound issue with my landing gear legs if that it what the sound is coming from. I had a little movement in the inner tube against the outer wall of the landing gear leg. While the trailer was unhooked from the truck, I took a heavy hammer(or axe-use the blunt end) and hit the leg right at the bottom near the ground to just shift if sideways a hair. Worked instantly. Just moved enough to take the movement out. It did take me a little while to figure out where the sound was coming from.
ipeltier
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
Old Biscuit--the triangular edge of the putty knife was inserted about 1" between the outer and inner casings, just enough to snug it up. Obviously there is some movement between the two causing the noise when the trailer moves from someone walking around the cap. We can't access the inner workings of the jack, so this is just a temporary fix to deal with the noise issue until we can access an rv shop.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jan 04, 2014
ipeltier wrote:
Old Biscuit--After removing everything in the under carriage storage area, and checking every possible cause, my husband stuck the edge of a flat putty knife between the jack and the sleeve and the noise stopped. Who knows if this is a serious problem or just something minor.

Putty knife between jack and sleeve???

Not able to visualize what you stated.

The 'leg' has three tubes----an outer tube (casing) and inner tube (moves up/down) and a drop tube (foot pad on end and adjustment pin goes thru it)

The outer tube is secured to trailer frame via braces with 'U' bolts (typically two sets---one inside front compartment and another set under trailer).
The outer tube should have NO movement. It should be secured to trailer frame tight.

The inner tube and the drop tube will have a little play...can be moved slightly but when extended and holding 5vr up that movement should be very slight.

Here is a manual on motor driven landing gear that has an exploded view of the workings of the 'legs'......LINK
ipeltier
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
Old Biscuit--After removing everything in the under carriage storage area, and checking every possible cause, my husband stuck the edge of a flat putty knife between the jack and the sleeve and the noise stopped. Who knows if this is a serious problem or just something minor.
kakampers
Explorer
Jan 03, 2014
If they are hydraulic jacks it could still be the issue mentioned above concerning the Level up...Lippert has a LIP information sheet on their website showing how to stop the "popping".
ipeltier
Explorer
Jan 03, 2014
Old-Biscuit wrote:
ipeltier wrote:
Husband has been trying to locate the sound. It is not under the front cap; it is in the front storage area--there is square metal column on the right side by the winch. The sound appears to be coming from that--like something has rattled loose.

Front landing gear assembly

Are you unhooked from truck with landing gear legs down and set?

Check the anchor bolts that attach landing gear assembly to frame of 5vr. Probably 'U' shaped bolts around the upper tube.
There should be NO movement in the upper part of assembly/tube
And only a little movement in the drop legs pin goes thru

Hook trailer back up to truck for support then retract landing gear just off ground and check the whole assembly for looseness

We're narrowed it down to the metal column of the landing gear. Something inside clunks when we shake the front of the rv. Jacks go up and down, no problem. I called a local rv service and they can't get us in before the middle of Jan. We're on the road over the next two weeks. Guess we'll just have to move on south and see how things turn out. Of course, these problems always happen when we're on the road over 1500 miles away from home.
Ramblin_Recks
Explorer
Jan 03, 2014
ipeltier wrote:
"Does your 5er have the 6 point Lippert Level-up system? "
I don't know--it's a 2007 Jayco Superlite 5th wheel.

Ok, your does not have that system. I asked because there are reports of "Popping" noises coming from the hydraulics in the automatic level-up system that can be fixed by adding a certain type of hydraulic fluid.

Good luck, hopefully it is an easy fix.

Reck
93Cobra2771
Explorer
Jan 03, 2014
joebedford wrote:
Sewer cap is off, hanging from the lanyard and knocking on the drain pipe.

Been there, done that. :LOL: