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7_3_psdman's avatar
7_3_psdman
Explorer
Sep 30, 2017

No more rear stabilizer problems

The MOTOR on the fifth wheel rear stabilizers is ----"THE WEAKEST LINK"--they are in a position to get wet and freeze or rust up. I had mine rebuilt before and now they are telling me that they can't get parts. Other people have taken the motor off and they say that the stabilizers crank up and down real easy without the motor on it. So I will make up a tool for my electric drill that will run mine up and down from the crank handle side. If this works it will beat buying a new $300 motor every two years.
  • Hammerboy's avatar
    Hammerboy
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2017
    7.3 psdman wrote:
    The MOTOR on the fifth wheel rear stabilizers is ----"THE WEAKEST LINK"--they are in a position to get wet and freeze or rust up. I had mine rebuilt before and now they are telling me that they can't get parts. Other people have taken the motor off and they say that the stabilizers crank up and down real easy without the motor on it. So I will make up a tool for my electric drill that will run mine up and down from the crank handle side. If this works it will beat buying a new $300 motor every two years.


    If you don't mind, when you get to that point can you post a couple of pictures? Not sure of what needs to be done to the stabilizers to make that happen. Maybe it's simple enough once I look at it. Planning ahead for mine someday:)

    Dan
  • FLY_4_FUN's avatar
    FLY_4_FUN
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2017
    I think that in addition to moisture in the motor, one of the biggest challenges is water/salt getting to the connections behind the skirting where the extend/retract switch is housed. Looks nice and clean/sealed outside but all the connections are open to intrusion in behind. Once that happens its over. Would be nice to have a sealed switch and waterproof connectors...but that's not the industry standard
  • 7_3_psdman's avatar
    7_3_psdman
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2017
    The small motor shop repaired the motor again and he told me that they get condensation in them from just being outside where the temperature changes. If that is the case then the motors should have a drain hole to let water out. I have a hard time believing that Lippert is asking $300 for a new motor that is not designed to handle temperature changes without getting wet inside and rusting up.

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