Hydraulic landing gear failure

[idahowx]

Was wondering how safe it is to be under the hitch area on a 5th wheel with hydraulic landing gear.
If a line should burst would the gear retract suddenly?

Is there a way to lock the gear?

2007 Doubletree 37' all hydraulic
Thanks.

[idahowx]

Thanks for the replies.
I think I'm going to learn more about the system since after checking I found the right rear jack to be partly broken loose from the frame.
They don't retract very much and must have been backed into a curb.
We purchased this used and are using it till we get the new log cabin built.

Though we have a house 7 miles from where the 5th is parked. It is very handy.

[MC9]

The "poppet valve" on the hydraulic lift gate on our truck blew and dropped the lift gate to the ground in less than a nanosecond. If I had been 1" closer it would have ripped my kneecaps off. Don't put yourself between a rock and a hardspot.

[NC_Hauler]

Should be a check valve in line, if something happens to the pump, or you lose pressure, the check should keep slides, front legs from retracting.....I had hydraulic slides and front jacks in a Sandpiper and check valves were in line in case something happened to the hydraulics...would keep legs/slides extended, if down.

[laknox]

idahowx wrote:
Was wondering how safe it is to be under the hitch area on a 5th wheel with hydraulic landing gear.
If a line should burst would the gear retract suddenly?

Is there a way to lock the gear?

2007 Doubletree 37' all hydraulic
Thanks.

You'd have to literally snap off a fitting or hose for the hydro system to drop at more than a fairly slow pace. If you're really worried about this, there's a couple things you can do. 1) put some heavy jack stands or cribbing under the frame at each corner. 2) Make some sleeves that you put around the leg to catch the trailer if it leaks down. We used to do this for some of our implements where we had to carry weight around and might have issues with internal leaks.

Lyle

[idahowx]

OK, thanks.
I can still move pretty quick!

[jaycocamprs]

I would guess that if a hose burst the trailer would not just "drop like a rock". It should go down slow. Remember that the fluid has to be pushed out of the legs, and that will take some time. I have seen this type of slow fall happen to several pieces of equipment, including dump trucks.

[Artemus_Gordon]

idahowx wrote:
Was wondering how safe it is to be under the hitch area on a 5th wheel with hydraulic landing gear.
If a line should burst would the gear retract suddenly?

Is there a way to lock the gear?

2007 Doubletree 37' all hydraulic
Thanks.

I split a line and trailer did not move!