Jack slips down while driving

[Buzimom]

Hi,
I'm new to this forum and noticed a message from 2011 regarding jacks falling down while driving, the same happens to us. We own a 2007 Itasac with KwiKee jack leveling system. After hitting a bump while driving our jack down alarm went off and we selected on and all jacks up. This seemed to stop the problem however it happened again and the front jacks drop about 1/2" and stay there. Has anyone had this problem and know of a fix. Our repair shop said they could be replaced at a large cost $$$$.

[Buzimom]

Hi all and thanks for your help. The latest issue is now the jacks will extend but will not lift coach - as if there is not enough power to level it. Ended up using 2x6's to level the "old fashioned" way. Could our pump be bad? The front jacks still slip down 1/2" after retracting.

[Passin_Thru]

Duct tape, the Handymans best friend. Red Green

[dougrainer]

gatorcq wrote:
My Kwikee system, do not have springs inside the cylinder.
They are controlled by 2 valves, extending / Retracting valves.

Now, my system, will drop when I hit a big bump, however everytime I get out to look, all I see is about a 1/2 drop on one. Fluid is good, no leaks. Yet all I need to do when we stop, extend and retract all. No valves are leaking, cylinder look good. Now I have been living like this for over a year. Until it happens alot. I am living with it. Then I will troubleshoot the system.

Anyway, you are correct until he responds we are in a holding pattern

Valves can leak INTERNALLY. Causing loss of pressure and that means a Jack will drop. You need to determine if more than 1 jack drops. If so and no external leaks, I would look at the Valve system. Also, do the Bleed procedure outlined in the Kwikee manual. With Power down and Power up, a LOSS of pressure is the ONLY cause of a jack dropping down. On your system, do you have the electric magnetic switch for down on each jack? Most Kwikee systems do. Doug

[gatorcq]

My Kwikee system, do not have springs inside the cylinder.
They are controlled by 2 valves, extending / Retracting valves.

Now, my system, will drop when I hit a big bump, however everytime I get out to look, all I see is about a 1/2 drop on one. Fluid is good, no leaks. Yet all I need to do when we stop, extend and retract all. No valves are leaking, cylinder look good. Now I have been living like this for over a year. Until it happens alot. I am living with it. Then I will troubleshoot the system.

Anyway, you are correct until he responds we are in a holding pattern

[dougrainer]

gatorcq wrote:
MountainAir05, Not all jacks have springs. On the larger systems, the rams are controlled by a extend / retract valves along with a pump valve.
And ye mine do it also.

Larger Systems? NOT SO. Some Hydraulic rams the springs are internal, you do not see them. I have yet to see a "larger" motorhome have a Power Up and Power Down Jack system. Power up and Power down will not have springs, but use the pressure to keep them up. OP states he has Kwikee jacks and NOT HWH. Only certain models of HWH have the Heat related extend slightly problem--the 300 series. OP states he hits a "bump" and the jack down light comes on. The OP needs to state if his Kwikee is HYDRAULIC or Electric. IF Heat related, it would seem that it would extend regardless of hitting a bump. BUT, If hydraulic, he may have AIR in the system and he needs to bleed the system. Doug

[azpete]

the jack extends because the fluid heats up and expands. if this is a new set of levelers, i would say that a hose had been run near a heat source. but its several years old, so i would say the springs are getting weak because of rust or road grime. you can either clean them with a wire brush or rust solvent, but if it was mine, i would replace them.
you can get them from hwh, stuarts in elkhart in, or on the internet.
the fluid doesnt have to be changed unless you have allowed it to be contaminated. it doesnt get very hot, it doesnt wear out and doesnt evaporate. it also has a 30 micron sock filter in the tank, in case something get into the tank while filling it.
if you dont have a visible leak, checking it once or twice a year is ok.
i work for hwh.i do not sell parts or solicit service work on this forum.
i do diagnostics

[gatorcq]

MountainAir05, Not all jacks have springs. On the larger systems, the rams are controlled by a extend / retract valves along with a pump valve.
And ye mine do it also.

[Johnny_G1]

ronmc wrote:
Happens to me occasionally. I turn jacks on-touch store- light goes off,

Same deal here, annoying at first but only happened once in 14000k this yr.

[charwan]

ronmc wrote:
Happens to me occasionally. I turn jacks on-touch store- light goes off,

Same here but I have HWH and I leave the store button pushed all the time. However I would like to know how someone is to change the oil in them much less why it would be necessary to do. MOHO

[ronmc]

Happens to me occasionally. I turn jacks on-touch store- light goes off,

[Buzimom]

Thanks, our fluid is good but never thought about changing it. We'll try that - I have a question for you, did your rear jacks drop or just the alarm? After we bring ours up, they drop down about 1/2"

[J-Rooster]

Buzimom, Let me be the first to welcome you to RV.Net. I had this happen one time, long ago, It was summer in Hermiston, Ore. and extremely hot 108* when it happen to me. It's never happened again. Don't know why unless the heat had something to do with it?

[MountainAir05]

Check the springs, and if fluid is due change it. Ours did that and after the fluid change it stop. Ours was the Rrear

[2chiefsRus]

did you check the jack fluid? sometimes just a little bit low and hitting a bump will make the alarms sound.