I purchased my 2011 AF 27-5 used. Yesterday, I returned from short trip and parked it in my driveway which has a downslope. As a result, I have to extend the legs quite far to get it level to open the slides - even after placing 4" blocks under the legs. I have done this several times and it has always made it to level. This time, I heard a click and everything quit. A few seconds later, another click and it was alive again. I concluded that the motor was overheated (thermal breaker) so I waited a few hours to try again. After waiting, it started slowly like it was really straining. Then, POW, something broke loose and it motored right up to level. What I didn't notice at the time was that only the driver side jack was extending. When I later realized the other jack was dangling in the air, I lowered it until the weight rested on both jacks. That's where it now sits.My old trailer had a pin or bolt in the landing gear that engaged the opposite side jack and I had that break or fall out once. Does this one have something similar? I haven't had a chance to really dig into this yet - hoping someone else has faced this before and can tell what to do and how to get to it. If it isn't this, then some troubleshooting advice would be welcome.

Sounds like the gearbox has broken. The are made of plastic and if extended too far will break. I went through a similar problem with my 2010 A 24-5. They are made by Lipert but Lipert also makes an aluminium. Look on EBay. UTube has agood video on how to replace them,

Njmurvin wrote:My old trailer had a pin or bolt in the landing gear that engaged the opposite side jack and I had that break or fall out once. Does this one have something similar? I haven't had a chance to really dig into this yet - hoping someone else has faced this before and can tell what to do and how to get to it. If it isn't this, then some troubleshooting advice would be welcome.Sounds exactly like a broken pin in the equalizing shaft. Should be easy to find.I think the clicks you heard were the pin partially dislodged, and jamming. If you are lucky you may find the pin (it's actually a bolt and nut) and just put them back in place.

If you have just one motor to operate the landing gear you should have the same cross over bar that will have a pin/bolt that could have broken or sheared off, or it could be one in the gears of that landing gear leg.

Njmurvin wrote:I purchased my 2011 AF 27-5 used. Yesterday, I returned from short trip and parked it in my driveway which has a downslope. As a result, I have to extend the legs quite far to get it level to open the slides - even after placing 4" blocks under the legs. I have done this several times and it has always made it to level. This time, I heard a click and everything quit. A few seconds later, another click and it was alive again. I concluded that the motor was overheated (thermal breaker) so I waited a few hours to try again. After waiting, it started slowly like it was really straining. Then, POW, something broke loose and it motored right up to level. What I didn't notice at the time was that only the driver side jack was extending. When I later realized the other jack was dangling in the air, I lowered it until the weight rested on both jacks. That's where it now sits.My old trailer had a pin or bolt in the landing gear that engaged the opposite side jack and I had that break or fall out once. Does this one have something similar? I haven't had a chance to really dig into this yet - hoping someone else has faced this before and can tell what to do and how to get to it. If it isn't this, then some troubleshooting advice would be welcome.Is the driveway so steep that the drop extensions are fully extended before you start powering the legs down and you're =still= hitting the stop? If so, that's not a driveway =I'd= want to park on; that's probably 6' of possible extension. You should =never= be hitting the full-extension stop on your landing legs. Why none of the mfrs put a bright red band on the legs on =both= ends, has baffled me for years. On something that steep, I'd not want the landing legs on blocks, at all; I'd want them firmly on the ground with nothing in between to rock. IMO, what you =should= be doing is backing in, power down the legs 8-10" =then= drop the extensions. After this, unhitch, then level. If you have the habit, like some I've seen, of traveling with the legs in the fully retracted position, then you might want to drop them 12-18" before dropping the extensions.Lyle

laknox wrote:Is the driveway so steep that the drop extensions are fully extended before you start powering the legs down and you're =still= hitting the stop? If so, that's not a driveway =I'd= want to park on; that's probably 6' of possible extension. You should =never= be hitting the full-extension stop on your landing legs. Why none of the mfrs put a bright red band on the legs on =both= ends, has baffled me for years. On something that steep, I'd not want the landing legs on blocks, at all; I'd want them firmly on the ground with nothing in between to rock. IMO, what you =should= be doing is backing in, power down the legs 8-10" =then= drop the extensions. After this, unhitch, then level. If you have the habit, like some I've seen, of traveling with the legs in the fully retracted position, then you might want to drop them 12-18" before dropping the extensions.LyleNo. It's not that steep. I've managed this same driveway many times with this trailer and dozens of times with my old one. I didn't hit the stop. I overloaded the motor and it cut out for a few seconds (my radial arm saw will do the same thing). I had to let it sit and cool before continuing. There is maybe 3'-4' of lift total (I'll have to measure). But, something else is binding up somewhere because it seems to be working way too hard to lift the nose of the trailer. I noticed that one of the landing gear foot pads is crushed (basic Lippert style). I need to replace that. I wonder if that might be causing a misalignment (one leg extended slightly more than the other. For now, I have to get it up on the truck and only one side moves. I need to find that bolt or pin so the other jack moves. Once I transfer the load onto the truck, I'll be more comfortable getting under there and working on it. I know ... these jacks won't collapse, but it still kinda freaks me out.Is there some way to lube the gears in the tubes without tearing everything apart?

Landing gear problem | Good Sam Community

avvidclif1
Explorer
Aug 28, 2016
I would buy 6x8 treated lumber and use that to build a platform that the jacks sit on so they are not extended over 12". It would make it more stable. Leave them at home, too heavy to haul around.
Durb
Explorer
Aug 27, 2016
BB_TX wrote:
Njmurvin wrote:
........

BTW, to get to level, the bottom of the trailer is right at 36" off the ground. Subtract 3.5" for the block and that means the jacks are extended 31.5". Is that too much?

If it were me, I would get some large boards and build some taller blocks with a very wide footprint for using at home on that slope. Footprint wide enough to there would be no danger of tipping over. 4 or 5 pieces of 2" x 12" x 12" long glued and screwed maybe. Generally no need to carry them with you when you travel.

X2 on the foot pad blocks. Mine are to the specification above 5 boards high. I also used 3/4" square by 5 1/2" long plastic strips to make a pocket for the landing gear pads. I always carry them. On a level pad it shortens your landing gear legs and helps stabilize the trailer. Earlier this year I had a sloping pad and would not have been able to level without them.

I recommend the Ultra Fab heavy duty foot pads available on Amazon.
mr__old_style
Explorer
Aug 27, 2016
Shrek51 wrote:
On a trip through Wyoming and Montana for Yellowstone Park in June, I had one of the legs collapse at an RV park.

I had to replace the leg so I decided to change the landing gear completely with independent motorized legs(Ultra-Fab)wanted the Bulldog set that has two settings; Fast or high torque, but were back ordered for two weeks. I had a window of 4days.

It took about three hours to replace. When done I have extra room in the front compartment, they fit in the existing brackets.

I am satisfied with them and they work great.:)

There still BACKORDERED!! I had a set ordered since June 13th, and just cancelled the order today and went with the ultra-fab. Mid to late Sept. is expected shipping date now :(:M
Shrek51
Explorer
Jul 11, 2016
On a trip through Wyoming and Montana for Yellowstone Park in June, I had one of the legs collapse at an RV park.

I had to replace the leg so I decided to change the landing gear completely with independent motorized legs(Ultra-Fab)wanted the Bulldog set that has two settings; Fast or high torque, but were back ordered for two weeks. I had a window of 4days.

It took about three hours to replace. When done I have extra room in the front compartment, they fit in the existing brackets.

I am satisfied with them and they work great.:)
dieseltruckdriv
Explorer II
Jul 09, 2016
Njmurvin wrote:
I purchased my 2011 AF 27-5 used. Yesterday, I returned from short trip and parked it in my driveway which has a downslope. As a result, I have to extend the legs quite far to get it level to open the slides - even after placing 4" blocks under the legs. I have done this several times and it has always made it to level. This time, I heard a click and everything quit. A few seconds later, another click and it was alive again. I concluded that the motor was overheated (thermal breaker) so I waited a few hours to try again. After waiting, it started slowly like it was really straining. Then, POW, something broke loose and it motored right up to level. What I didn't notice at the time was that only the driver side jack was extending. When I later realized the other jack was dangling in the air, I lowered it until the weight rested on both jacks. That's where it now sits.

My old trailer had a pin or bolt in the landing gear that engaged the opposite side jack and I had that break or fall out once. Does this one have something similar? I haven't had a chance to really dig into this yet - hoping someone else has faced this before and can tell what to do and how to get to it. If it isn't this, then some troubleshooting advice would be welcome.

I am glad you found your problem, but I wanted to let you know that I have the same situation regarding parking. I have had no problems with my landing gear yet, and I have been doing it for several years, but my 27-5L is lighter than yours.
bpounds
Nomad
Jul 09, 2016
I wasn't concerned with chips. They will work themselves out the bottom. You will want to run the legs down so that the top of the inner leg is below where you drill. Just don't ram the drill bit into the leadscrew. Once the hole is there you can run the leg up/down and find the end of the leg. That's where the follower nut will be. Spray lots of lube in there.

Also, assuming yours is similar to mine, there is a metal cap on the top end of each leg. Pop those out and that's where you will lube the bevel gears.
Njmurvin
Explorer
Jul 08, 2016
Thanks! Just to be clear, that's the hole right above the support bracket? Did you do anything special to prevent the metal filings from falling into the hole? The drill bit should pull most of the debris backward out of the hole.
bpounds
Nomad
Jul 08, 2016
Someone asked in that other thread about where I drilled the holes. I wasn't near the trailer, and I don't think I described it properly from memory. So I went out and shot a couple of pictures.
Njmurvin
Explorer
Jul 08, 2016
bpounds wrote:
That might be a lubrication issue. There were a couple of recent threads related to that. Find the one where we discussed lubricating the leadscrews.

Found the thread on lubing the leadscrews. Thanks. That sounds like the best way to get the lube in there. I'll also look for something to cover the holes (maybe duct tape).
bpounds
Nomad
Jul 08, 2016
Njmurvin wrote:
Found the sheared bolt. The square tube slips over the round shaft. I just have to get it lined up and replace the bolt. I had to do this same fix for my 1994 Terry. Couldn't they come up with a better design 17 years later?

I still think I have a problem with the motor straining too much to lift the nose. But, for now, it will be good to have both sides going up and down.

BTW, to get to level, the bottom of the trailer is right at 36" off the ground. Subtract 3.5" for the block and that means the jacks are extended 31.5". Is that too much?

That might be a lubrication issue. There were a couple of recent threads related to that. Find the one where we discussed lubricating the leadscrews.

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