Not to appear totally dumb what is the difference in performance? I've never had anything hydraulic on my RV so not sure if when I upgrade if I should opt for the electric or go with the hydraulic.

Having been around and operated a lot of heavy equipment, unless I had a small TT of some sort, I'd prefer hydraulic jacks. My MH has them. When I got it I changed the fluid to be sure what was in it. Everything continues to work fine.Bill

I suppose it is just a term choice but when the sales person responds to the question of, "...does it have self leveling jacks..." by saying it has hydraulic jacks does that mean the jacks are self leveling?

iquilt888 wrote:I suppose it is just a term choice but when the sales person responds to the question of, "...does it have self leveling jacks..." by saying it has hydraulic jacks does that mean the jacks are self leveling?No.There are Electric jacks---really only Atwood Levelegs are out there'Then there are Hydraulic jacks and they are as varied as anything.Some, are AUTO level which means you push a button and they extend and level the RV automaticallyThen there are the ones that YOU have to push the buttons and watch the level sensor and manually push and retract until the RV is level.ELECTRIC jacks have fallen out of favor as they are prone to troubles and parts are expensive. Motorhomes with Electric Jacks have a lower value than an identical motorhome with Hydraulic jacks. You want Hydraulic jacks, not Electric. Doug

iquilt888 wrote:I suppose it is just a term choice but when the sales person responds to the question of, "...does it have self leveling jacks..." by saying it has hydraulic jacks does that mean the jacks are self leveling?I have hydraulic jacks but they are manually controlled. Don't confuse self levelling with automatic. Mine could be called self levelling because I just push the buttons from the driver's seat but automatic I would only push one button and the computer levels it automatically.

Certain model of Fleetwood models had Power Gear electric jacks which have been very trouble some. I know first hand as I have them and have learned to live with them. The main problem seems to be the brake in the jack that seizes up from moisture and not using them enough. I cycle them every 30 days which has really helped and Fleetwood offers;) the brake and boot kit on their web site which isn't to difficult to change. Also it helps to educate yourself from Power Gears web site which instructs you haw to reset the controls when the jacks get our of synk.

electric vs hydraulic jacks | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

demoon
Explorer
May 29, 2013
Have had both. HWH on my class c, and now Power Gear electric on my class a. So far I see little difference other than that the electrics are slower. There is stuff to go wrong with both systems.
dougrainer
Nomad
May 29, 2013
pkunk wrote:
Semantics....your hydraulic jack's pump is electric.

Real helpful:R. The JACKS are extended by Fluid. Electric jacks are extended by a jack screw connected to a 12 volt motor. There IS a big difference. Doug
pkunk
Explorer
May 29, 2013
Semantics....your hydraulic jack's pump is electric.
RayChez
Explorer
May 29, 2013
I have the BigFoot by Quadra and each leveler has its own electric motor to pump hydraulic fluid through the jacks. I think they are the best you can have. I had HWH before on another coach and I used to hate them things. The return is by spring and it was just hard to level.

The BigFoot you can operate them individually or all four at the same time.
Daveinet
Explorer
May 29, 2013
I have UltraFab Electric Jacks on the rear of my coach. They have been OK, but are a little limited in the load lift rating. OK for a lightweight coach.
dougrainer
Nomad
May 29, 2013
JimM68 wrote:
the main jack manufacturers are HWH and powergear, both have made electric and hydraulic systems, and some of there are auto leveling and some are manual.

I've had 2 coaches with powergear hydraulic jacks, they work good.

HWH has NEVER made Electric jack systems
There is (Hydraulic)
LCI
Powergear
HWH
Bigfoot
Equalizer (part of Powergear now)
RVA---- no longer makes new systems but still supplies replacement parts --- was an exclusive Monaco jack supplier. Doug
JimM68
Explorer
May 29, 2013
the main jack manufacturers are HWH and powergear, both have made electric and hydraulic systems, and some of there are auto leveling and some are manual.

I've had 2 coaches with powergear hydraulic jacks, they work good.
trickyvic3
Explorer
May 29, 2013
tinkerer wrote:
Certain model of Fleetwood models had Power Gear electric jacks which have been very trouble some. I know first hand as I have them and have learned to live with them. The main problem seems to be the brake in the jack that seizes up from moisture and not using them enough. I cycle them every 30 days which has really helped and Fleetwood offers;) the brake and boot kit on their web site which isn't to difficult to change. Also it helps to educate yourself from Power Gears web site which instructs you haw to reset the controls when the jacks get our of synk.

X-2/
I had the power gear jacks on our 07 Dicovery and had nothing but trouble with them from day one. I finally had to learn how to repair them myself, as after our warranty ran out Power Gear hung us out to dry.

Vic
WyoTraveler
Explorer
May 29, 2013
On my hydraulic jacks the term atomatic is used but you still have to slide blocks under them or the will over extend. If you use blocks they are great.
tinkerer
Explorer
May 29, 2013
Certain model of Fleetwood models had Power Gear electric jacks which have been very trouble some. I know first hand as I have them and have learned to live with them. The main problem seems to be the brake in the jack that seizes up from moisture and not using them enough. I cycle them every 30 days which has really helped and Fleetwood offers;) the brake and boot kit on their web site which isn't to difficult to change. Also it helps to educate yourself from Power Gears web site which instructs you haw to reset the controls when the jacks get our of synk.