My '97 Allegro Bay class A burst a hydrolic line on the Driversside just in front of the duallies. so it's the hose going to the back.I have 3 quotes $150 -$200 for the hose (they have to pull the line,check the end pieces so they get it right, order line .. takes 4-5 days, then install add fluid etc.) labor of 2-5 hours. $300-$1500.And then another quote of $1400-2000 to do all four.Doing all 4 will discount labor on removing hoses.Question these quotes are all over the place, anyone have this done & what did you pay? I was so suprised as these are very well known RV repair shops I've dealt with over the years and have found very reasonable and do great work. Ahh.. except CW which was the high oneon labor.Would you replace all 4 (I have a '97 and they are origional HWs System ? Said it's cheaper on labor to get all hosesfittings labor on/off than to do one at a time?Do you think this is a sign that all hoses s/b replaced.It wasn't a problem this last trip as I was with other people andthey helped w/blocks but being alone the blocks are very hard to landon top correctly.Tks for the help.Gramma Dy

Take the hose into most any NAPA store and they will give you a new hose while you wait - or may later in the day perhaps.

I would all 4. Preventive maintenence. What about independant RV repair people. I've had good luck with some of the mobile guys as well as small family repair places. You just have to talk to them asking specific questions, like how they handle getting replacement parts. Names of suppliers maybe you've already identified.

If you are handy, you can do one hose at a time. Take one hose off at a time, take the old hose to any hydraulic shop ( google search for a shop in your area)and they can make a new one while you wait. It will be the right length with the right fittings and a lot cheaper. Install the new hose, add some fluid and test. Then at a later date or if you have time, do another hose and then the other two at you convenience and this way you don't get any hoses in the wrong place. But if you are not handy have them all done at one time at a shop, labor saving in my opinion. And you will prevent future failures while out camping.

I burst the hydraulic hose that ran the fans and power steering. We were climbing the hill out of Indio at the time in 120 degree weather on a Saturday. DW drove back to Indio and contacted a mobile repair guy. He drove the 10 miles up the hill, took the old hose off, returned to Indio and had a new one made and came back and installed it. Charged my $200...I gave him $300 and told him to have a nice day. I would replace all four so you don't get stuck on the road somewhere....rubber doesn't last forever..call a mobile guy....Dennis

HWH leveler Hose burst | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

dougrainer
Nomad
Mar 14, 2014
Argosy24 wrote:
There are no hydraulic shops near me, a couple of parts stores will make hoses but I've had mixed success with them. When I put the levelers on my motor home I used reusable fittings. They're more expensive but I can make the hose I need in a few minutes and it will work the first time, if it it breaks I can make another just as quickly.

Replacing all the hoses seems unnecessary. Most hydraulics cycle more times in an hour than these do in a year and last for years. There should only be 4 hoses on the manifold, worst case I can see is by removing 2 you have the one that needs replaced. Removing one hose doesn't seem like a real labor penalty if another one does have to be replaced later.

You made a comment about cycle times. I do NOT know if other hyd systems have NO pressure when not running, but Hyd Jack systems have pressure on the hoses when they are extended and leveling and STAY extended. So, the hoses are subjected to constant pressure when camped and leveled. But, the hoses are designed for long life(HWH hoses). Doug
Argosy24
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
There are no hydraulic shops near me, a couple of parts stores will make hoses but I've had mixed success with them. When I put the levelers on my motor home I used reusable fittings. They're more expensive but I can make the hose I need in a few minutes and it will work the first time, if it it breaks I can make another just as quickly.

Replacing all the hoses seems unnecessary. Most hydraulics cycle more times in an hour than these do in a year and last for years. There should only be 4 hoses on the manifold, worst case I can see is by removing 2 you have the one that needs replaced. Removing one hose doesn't seem like a real labor penalty if another one does have to be replaced later.
Dick_A
Explorer
Mar 14, 2014
A replacement hose can be fabricated by any industrial hydrolic hose supply company in about fifteen minutes. We have a local place called House of hose who can fabricate almost any type of hose - water, hydrolic, flexible exhaust, just t name a few examples. The prices are right and they fabricate the hose while you wait - usually ten to fifteen minutes. I have never paid over $60.00 for a hose with connectors for my back hoe.

If you are being quoted much higher either someone does not know what they are doing or are taking you for a "smuck ride". :)

Oh, and yes I did have them build be a replacement HWH high pressure hose about ten years ago for my previous coach. Has never been touched since. :)
B_s_Bunch
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
Depending on how many tywraps and straps the manufacture used when first installed, some of these simple repairs can really be a PAIN. At any rate if you pull the old damaged line out tie a small rope line etc. to the end of the one you are removing so when it comes time to install the new repaired one you can use this rope to pull the new one in. I know it sounds easy but hey it works for me. I agree with getting the new hose repaired but they need both ends to install the new ends on. Good luck Larry
Pirate1
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
You do not need to replace all the hoses unless you are a control freak like me, and then it won't stop there. It will be all rubber hoses, lines, etc. Take control of it. Replace the broken line and leave it at that. No need to go further. If you can yank that line out, do it, and then get another made cheaply somewhere else. This is not a big job.
RLS7201
Explorer II
Mar 13, 2014
Had the very same issue with my HWH levelers, on my 95 Bounder.
This hose kit on Ebay will fit your MH. They do take some time to install properly. I suspect a qualified shop should be able to replace all 4 hoses in 6 hours or less.

Richard
dougrainer
Nomad
Mar 13, 2014
I would inspect the hoses for small bubbles/bulges in the line. IF no bubbles/bulges, I would not replace the other hoses. "Most" RV shops that have worked on HWH over the years, have a portable line swedge tool (we do). You can either make and replace the complete hose from pump to jack or replace the line from the jack to about 1 foot past the failure if the rest of the hose shows no signs of swelling or bubbles. You do NOT state if Diesel Or Gas chassis. Gas Chassis is easy to replace the complete line to the rear. Diesel chassis means that the hose from the fuel tank area to the rear axle goes thru the INSIDE storage frame with a plastic cover that hides the hoses and electrical lines. NOT a quick easy job. Doug
Ivylog
Explorer III
Mar 13, 2014
I would pull the hose myself and take it to NAPA and have them make a new one. Less than $3/ft for the hose and $5-6 for the ends assuming you are DIY.
Just because it's an RV does not mean you need a RV repair place. I would find a farm repair facility on your next trip. They will be cheaper than all of your estimates. Depending on what made this hose burst... rubbing on something, too tight a turn, or possibly old age should determine how many you replace.
kalynzoo
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
I use an independent mobile RV repair tech for all my repairs. He just did a major job of my HWH jacks, new motherboard and solenoids. My retired fireman friend would definitely do the job himself...it's just hoses...yeah right. I would call my RV tech, who would quote a flat price based on parts and labor. It's not a complex high tech job, but it does require a bunch of crawling about under the rig.
Good Luck.
1BryNelson
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
Don't know where your wallet is, but the more work you give the independant repair people mobile or fixed, you can normally negotiate a lower labor cost because they don't have to travel to keep working or on the fixed independant shops, it' a negotiation.