My wife I bought a 1999 National RV Class A Dolphin 5350 Motorhome with the Ford 6.8 liter V-10 Triton. It had 29K miles when we bought it. We are living in it fulltime. We gave up the place we were living in search of a relaxed and rent free existence. We knew nothing about motorhomes and have never owned of even been inside one. Its been almost a month now and although everything seemed to work in the beginning, it seems like nothing does now. Where to begin. The automatic leveling system. It worked the first time we turned it on. The panel lit up and we lowered and raised the metal legs or whatever they are called and when we were done we raised them up and turned the panel off. Today we tried to use them and nothing. The panel will not turn on, won't light up, seems dead. What happened? Did we blow a fuse, throw a breaker? Did it burn up, is it dead? What happened that it was working fine and then nothing? Please help us. We have many questions, this is just the first. We are out of our element, we know nothing, we are as green as the greenest grass on earth. But we want to learn, we have to learn, we are not going back to living in a $1,000 a month box. We are RV living now and not looking back. Please advise. Thank you

Welcome to the forum.Usually I would tell you to ask another RVer in the campground where you are staying. Most RVers are friendly and willing to help.Since you are living a rent free existence you are probably boondocking so asking a neighbor is not an option.If you know nothing about RV's consider hiring a mobile RV Tech, they could go over everything with you while checking out your jack/stabilizer issue.Did you check your breakers and fuses? It could be something simple or a little more complicated like a loose/broken wire.If you don't know where your breaker/fuse box is located let us know.Someone with a similar RV can tell you where to find it.On our 96 Southwind it's located under the refrigerator.Do you have a basic tool set and multimeter? They will be very helpful.There is a lot of information and experience on the forum, don't hesitate to ask questions. Someone will have an answer.

You say nothing works, is the battery dead? Are you plugged in or using a generator?

Nothing beats learning the basics by reading online. Google RV basics.

Leveling system requires the vehicle to be in Park and emergency brake to be set. For power try it with the engine running.

Mine has to have the ignition switch turned to ACC for levelers to work up or down

Class A Troubleshooting for us Newbies | Good Sam Community

Branson_N_Tucso
Explorer II
Oct 01, 2020
Have you tried Google it on the phone. Put your year and Make of MH. Subject putting dow and retracting levers. Any more they have vetoes on everything.
crawford
Explorer
Sep 30, 2020
Flute Man wrote:
Call me. I can help you over the phone. I am a full-timer for 14 years.
I am also a retired electrical engineer and professional troubleshooter.
You might also need to locate a mobile RV Tech. Many are very good. Ask around and you might get some good recommendations.

Now how could you go wrong here with this man
Chum_lee
Explorer
Sep 29, 2020
Jeccorp1usa wrote:
My wife I bought a 1999 National RV Class A Dolphin 5350 Motorhome with the Ford 6.8 liter V-10 Triton. It had 29K miles when we bought it. We are living in it fulltime. We gave up the place we were living in search of a relaxed and rent free existence. We knew nothing about motorhomes and have never owned of even been inside one. Its been almost a month now and although everything seemed to work in the beginning, it seems like nothing does now. Where to begin. The automatic leveling system. It worked the first time we turned it on. The panel lit up and we lowered and raised the metal legs or whatever they are called and when we were done we raised them up and turned the panel off. Today we tried to use them and nothing. The panel will not turn on, won't light up, seems dead. What happened? Did we blow a fuse, throw a breaker? Did it burn up, is it dead? What happened that it was working fine and then nothing? Please help us. We have many questions, this is just the first. We are out of our element, we know nothing, we are as green as the greenest grass on earth. But we want to learn, we have to learn, we are not going back to living in a $1,000 a month box. We are RV living now and not looking back. Please advise. Thank you

I admire your courage/bravery! Please understand that what you now "own/live in" is the COMBINATION of a 21 year old house and 21 year old truck, plus the interface between the two, and the ground, all compressed into one. Things WILL wear out and go wrong. (on a regular basis) Expect that. Patience, knowledge, manuals, tools, YouTube, the people you meet along the way, and forums like this are valuable resources. You're gonna have a great time! Always keep your sense of humor tuned up.

There's very little that is going to happen to both of you that hasn't already happened to someone else, AND, they have already solved the problem(s) in a most efficient/effective way. Just ask, but, do your homework first, and, don't be a pest.

Chum lee
Rickyrocket
Explorer
Sep 29, 2020
I think he should give a little more info,I recently looked at a DP and the guy selling it couldn't get the slide to work,turned out it couldn't be running.
Executive45
Explorer III
Sep 19, 2020
One caveat I always recommend to both newbies AND experienced RVrs. ALWAYS video tape your WALK THRU. If you do contact a mobile tech, video tape his walk thru with you. If not, and you have another rvr assist, video tape that as well. Build your own reference library. Videos take up very little room on your computer or put them on a jump drive for future reference. Finally go thru your rig and know where the basic things are: Inverter/Converter, fuse panels (there may be more than one), what type of batteries you have for the engine and chassis, how your fridge works, 30amp/50amp etc etc. These are all things you'll need to know to help troubleshoot. Finally, know what engine and trans you have and post that in your request for help. These are essentials....good luck...Dennis
dougrainer
Nomad
Sep 18, 2020
The FIRST thing you need to do is go on line or to a Camping World and buy a few RV for beginners type books. Being Green, you need some type of bible/s to get thru the ownership of Fulltime RV'ing and operation of Motorhomes. Are you staying in Campgrounds? Are you just staying where you can park for free? Doug
MrWizard
Moderator
Sep 18, 2020
Almost a month
RV needs 120v power the outlets, potter the charge converter that charges the house/camper batteries
Your fridge uses propane aka LP, for cooling, it uses 12v power for the controls that make it work, your lights are 12v, your water pump is 12v
The levelling jacks use 12v to power the hydraulic pump and the jack controls
You need to run the the generator several hours per day to keep the House batteries charged so everything can have battery power
jy
Explorer
Sep 18, 2020
My 1999 coachman had an inline fuse for the jacks located right at the pump for the jacks.
oldave
Explorer
Sep 18, 2020
Tell us some of the other problems , they may be related .
Flute_Man
Explorer
Sep 18, 2020
Call me. I can help you over the phone. I am a full-timer for 14 years.
I am also a retired electrical engineer and professional troubleshooter.
You might also need to locate a mobile RV Tech. Many are very good. Ask around and you might get some good recommendations.