Hydraulic System Down for Winer

I dump the air but don't bother with the jacks.

Leaving them down should not be an issue and if you see any rust on a hydraulic ram it's time to find a new manufacturer. My plow (circa 1972) and backhoe (circa 1983) have been stored outside the entire time, including salty New England roads and there isn't a spot of rust on anything. If you are still concerned, then place jackstands or blocks under the frame and then retract the jacks for storage. Good luck.

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy

Stingme62 wrote:
Hydraulic System Down for Winer

We'll have no Winers here. Take that out to the patio.

Seriously, though. Mine are down for several winter months. I fully retract them once a month. This lets the seals on the ram do their job of cleaning and lubing.

I would not leave them extended longer as the weather could start pitting and corrosion.

Thank you all for your help. I like the idea of using silicone and wiping them off prior to retracting. I really wanted the weight off the tires to also help with cracking and weathering. They are all still in good shape and want to keep them that way for a while more. We love traveling and keeping the tires in shape are very important like all of you already know! :)

I leave mine down and spray them with silicone every couple of weeks. They stay looking like new and retract with no issues.

I've heard both approaches, and since we use ours year round, not an issue. But if I were to store mine it would be with the jacks down to take the load off the tires, suspension. I read where HWH says no problem leaving the jacks down, perhaps wipe them off before retracting them the first time but not required. I tend to believe it would be better for the tires to take some pressure off.

I don't like the idea of leaving the pistons down and exposed all winter. What I do is while the suspension air system is fully aired up I place bricks, and wood under the retracted jack pads till I have to force the last piece of wood under the pad. I then dump the air from the suspension, placing part of the weight on the retracted jacks, and off the suspension and tires.

Some leave the pistons down....some don't. I don't. IMO leaving the weight on the tires does not harm, having my motorhome since 2001, some years leaving it in "storage" for 5 winter months...other years snowbirding in AZ, for instance, it's all the same.
I would be concerned about rust on the pistons...and THAT is BIG $$$. Leave them up. During the warm or using months, spray the pistons and springs with silicone at least once a month or every other trip..

my advice.

No. But you might want to wipe them down with a little oil to avoid corrosion--------------especially if the MH is sitting outside.