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pweekly's avatar
pweekly
Explorer
Jun 08, 2016

Help! Anyone know why generator won't retract?

I am getting the RV ready tor a trip down to Florida and was adding window washer fluid. The generator door slid out easily and now it won't retract. I hear the hydraulic motor going so there is power there, but it won't budge. Any ideas? I am home alone with this thing sitting out in front of my house with it's generator out (feeling stupid)
Thanks.
Trish
Class A

18 Replies

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  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Jun 08, 2016
    You add DEXTRON 3 to the HWH system. Do NOT add HYDRAULIC oil. The HWH system is separate from the chassis engine system. Do not add stop leak to the system, it will gum things up. If the jacks are inop now, that points to a problem that is more than just the genset problem. Doug
  • Horsedoc's avatar
    Horsedoc
    Explorer II
    Jun 08, 2016
    See if there is adequate fluid in the system for the hydraulics to work properly. Had that problem with jacks on our coach OOOPS! Looks like we were a few seconds apart on a reply
  • pweekly's avatar
    pweekly
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2016
    To update, I opened up the hydraulic bay and there is hydraulic fluid dripping from the fittings in there. This may be the dumbest question ever, but I am assuming that I would add hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic fluid reservoir right? That's all the way in the back of the motorhome. Ugh. And is there a specific type of hydraulic fluid to use? I have the HWH system. Slide outs seemed to work fine but leveling jacks which retracted fine, seem off now too. And thirdly, does hydraulic leak stop help/work? I called HWH as my user manual said to do that if the generator wouldn't retract and they said a tech could call me back in 2 weeks. Seriously? 2 weeks. ok then. So I have to either figure something out or cancel my trip. :(
    Thanks for any help. Oh and husband is off fishing so it's just me.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Jun 08, 2016
    Don't drive it over the cliff
    Just drive out to Calif and leave it
    I'll pay your plane ticket home
  • pweekly's avatar
    pweekly
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2016
    I tried starting it and with it running, not running, generator running, not running. I am going to drive it into the barn and plug in and see if it helps that way. Maybe it is more level there too. I don't know. I swear I am ready to drive this thing over a cliff.
    Thank you for your suggestions.
  • Ranger_Smith's avatar
    Ranger_Smith
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2016
    Try starting the rig and see if it will work. Maybe a weak battery. Most of those that I have seen are air actuated and not hydraulic. Maybe low on air.
  • pweekly's avatar
    pweekly
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2016
    Ranger Smith wrote:
    There might be a lock that needs to be lifted
    Hmm. I've never seen a lock. Just a button to open it up and close it up.

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