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k9dad's avatar
k9dad
Explorer
Jul 23, 2013

Leveling jacks

Hi all,
I would appreciate some tech help with my 2011fleetwood Southwind 32vs leveling jack system.
First,is it possible that only the rear jacks would go down if parked on a slight incline?
I thought that all four jacks should go down to stabilize the RV before slide outs are deployed.
Also, I get a temporary "low voltage light" when jacks are deployed. The manual said you would need 13 volts and the house and engine batteries both read in that range.
Thanks for any input advice . I looked in the owners manual and it said to look in the supplemental manual which I did not get with the RV. Have looked on line but can't seem to find the manual for the leveling system. Any links for this would also be greatly appreciated.
  • Fairly easy to find info on PowerGear stuff since they updated their CS website. You can search leveling system on 2011 Southwind 32VS here PowerGear.

    The alternator should be putting out 14.2V when the engine is running. If you're still getting power faults with the engine running, you have a real power issue. The input about a bad ground is probably something to look into.
  • brao,
    First off, based on your statement that "only the rear jacks deploy", I'm assuming that you're referring to an "Automatic leveling" system" correct? If so, what brand and model number of the jacks do you have? HWH, Lippert, Kwikee, Power Gear? Yes, there are different requirements for all of these jacks and, coach manufacturers sometimes stipulate what procedure is to be used in relation to priority of jacks VS slides.

    Our '04 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the 330 C-7 CAT, came with the HWH 625 system which, is both an automatic and, manual leveling system. The coach does not require the engine to be running when deploying the jacks or slides. Only the key has to be in the ignition "hot" position or, the "ACC" position to run either one of those systems.

    If yours is the Automatic system, do you also have the ability to deploy them manually? If so, then simply put the fronts down too. And, the schools of thoughts on Jacks first/slides first is always talked about on here and other RV forums. Most RVrs think it's common sense to deploy the jacks first due to the fact that it creates a stable, level, "Square" (good planes of vertical and horizontal) Platform for the slides to travel on vs the off level, crooked frame/walls condition that is the condition prior to leveling.

    But, again, consult your manuals once you have all of them. Good luck.
    Scott
  • On my 2014 Fleetwood it wants the parking brake on and the engine running. Level then slides out. On a previous model I found that a less than satisfactory ground at the battery caused every 12v problem I ever encountered. Lights worked, pump worked but levelers and slides would either grind to a halt or just click. It was always the ground at the battery.
  • Are these electric or hydraulic jacks? What brand are they (PowerGear)?
  • brao wrote:
    My engine is running and still get "low voltage "warning..even though front jacks did not deploy,coach is level now.


    Have you checked hydralic fluid level?
  • I have the coach plugged in or the gen running when I do the slides or jacks. They both take a lot of current.
  • My engine is running and still get "low voltage "warning..even though front jacks did not deploy,coach is level now.
  • I would contact Fleetwood. Unfortunate but many times some of those manuals at dealships turn up missing. If they are Lippert jacks the Lippert manual is available on the internet. Some MHs want the jacks deployed before the slides. Other MHs want the slides out first. You will only know if you have all the manuals.

    My Lippert jacks won't go down unless I have he engine running otherwise I get low voltage warning.
  • I have a 2008 SW (36D). Our unit has to have the jacks down before extending the slides. We were instructed to have the engine running when deploying the Jacks and extending the slides. The jacks all come down together.