I just bought a new 2017 Jayco Eagle HT 30.5MBOK and we are very happy with it. The first thing I noticed about it was that the landing gear is extremely slooowww. I mean you can barely detect that it is lifting the rig, takes several minutes to raise and lower when setting up my truck or leveling. My dealer just smiled and said, "yep, they're pretty slow", so I guess it's normal? I realize it's geared pretty low to have the lifting power and I suspect that there isn't much I can do to improve it. It doesn't sound like the motor is laboring or slow, it just moves slow. So, should I just work on being more patient or is there any reasonable approach to speeding it up?

Landing gears are slow but it should not take several minutes to raise. They may need to be lubed or could be faulty. Mine gave out and had to replace with dual motor legs. Work better than the single motor system.

Look at your watch and see how long it takes to raise the RV 6". Go back to your selling dealer and with a big smile tell him you want to time another fiver and see how long it takes to raise that one. I think yours is needing service.

First thing to check is battery power level, and for good connections. Then check the speed of the legs with no weight on them. If the speed is the same loaded and unloaded, and the battery and connections are good, it would appear that your dealer is correct. Many of the electric front legs are very slow due to the fact that the motor is way underpowered for the amount of work required of it. Some people have added a motor to the unpowered leg, and some, like me, have removed the OEM legs/motors and gone with a different system entirely. Like the Bulldog Jacks.

They are slow, but should not be that slow. Mine goes from no weight on the jacks to no weight on the truck in under a minute.

Similar situation with the Lippert landing gear on my 5er. Checked batteries, wiring, lube and all was good. **** things are just undersized and slow even when plugged into shore power. Only fix is to go to an aftermarket dual motor setup. I found replacing my landing gear on curb side would require pulling the built in genny. Not going to do it... Just going to have to live with it and drink more beer while holding the landing gear button. I have an Andersen hitch so makes it even worse.

5th wheel landing gear slow | Good Sam Community

schlep1967
Nomad
Feb 15, 2017
IBcarguy wrote:
Thanks for all the good input. Battery voltage is okay and all connections are tight so I'm pretty much convinced that little single motor is doing the best it can. I'm going to compare it to another Jayco when I go back to the dealer. To switch over to a new double motor system would be expensive so for now, I'll just get used to it.

Slow motors are a pain. Sometimes my finger gets tired from holding that button in!:B
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Feb 15, 2017
I did because I ran wire directly from the battery to the motors.
laknox
Nomad
Feb 15, 2017
You guys that changed to Bulldog jacks, did you also run heavier wiring for them?

Lyle
nayther
Explorer
Feb 15, 2017
they make a dual motor conversion, pretty easy to install or do like I did and change out the whole thing to the bulldog system, works awesome but pricey. Mine is a Toy Hauler so heavier than most plus we camp on a lot of uneven ground where I have to raise/lower the front a lot.
mileshuff
Explorer
Feb 15, 2017
My 5'er uses a single motor system. I can lift off the hitch in 1 minute or so. Never timed it but didn't seem to take too long.
IBcarguy
Explorer
Feb 15, 2017
Thanks for all the good input. Battery voltage is okay and all connections are tight so I'm pretty much convinced that little single motor is doing the best it can. I'm going to compare it to another Jayco when I go back to the dealer. To switch over to a new double motor system would be expensive so for now, I'll just get used to it.
schlep1967
Nomad
Feb 15, 2017
I had an issue one time where a roll pin fell out and the legs would not lift. I had to crawl into that little front compartment to see what was going on. I was amazed at how small that motor is. It looks like it would be better suited to running a remote control car than lifting the front of a 5th wheel.
Like others have said, make sure the battery is fully charged.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Feb 15, 2017
Single motor driving both legs?

Takes GOOD battery voltage, clean tight connections at battery and at motor and thru switch.
Measure battery voltage WHILE using under loads.

With 5vr hitched up & all weight on truck....check unloaded speed
N-Trouble
Explorer
Feb 15, 2017
Similar situation with the Lippert landing gear on my 5er. Checked batteries, wiring, lube and all was good. **** things are just undersized and slow even when plugged into shore power. Only fix is to go to an aftermarket dual motor setup. I found replacing my landing gear on curb side would require pulling the built in genny. Not going to do it... Just going to have to live with it and drink more beer while holding the landing gear button. I have an Andersen hitch so makes it even worse.
BB_TX
Nomad
Feb 15, 2017
They are slow, but should not be that slow. Mine goes from no weight on the jacks to no weight on the truck in under a minute.

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5th wheel landing gear slow

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