Auto Levelers StabilizerJacks: All 4 down when Leveled?

[Adventurer_Buck]

Class A Winnebago Adventurer Ford F-35, V-10

Are all 4 Auto Leveling Jacks suppose to make contact with the ground when the motorhome is fully leveled?

When leveling, the back "passenger" side Jack extends down, touches the ground and levels. Yet when the "driver's" side rear Jack extends downwards and lifts the "driver's" side rear to find level, the "passenger's" side Jack that was on the ground, lifts off the ground yet does not re-extend to make contact with the ground. There is more shaft to extend in the "passenger's" side Jack.

The motor that extends the Jacks "whines" at the end of the leveling cycle for what seems to be a longer period than needed...like it's trying to extend the Jacks more (maybe the "passenger's side rear Jack). The Jacks control panel registers a green light at the end of the cycle saying all's leveled. All Jacks retract as designed when the command for "Jacks Up" is called for.

The questions: "Are all fours Leveling Jacks suppose to be in contact with the ground at all times when "Jacks Down" is engaged?"

Thank you for your responses.

[dougrainer]

Adventurer Buck wrote:

dougrainer wrote:
Lets make something clear on this thread.
1. Silicone is NOT used to lube the jack rods. It is used to PROTECT the rods from exposure when left exposed for long times
2. The Auto system should have all 4 jacks on the ground. Below from the PG manual. Doug

4. Push the AUTO button. The automatic leveling system will begin its leveling procedure. Please avoid movement in the coach during automatic leveling as it can cause errors in the results. It will signal that it has completed the process by illuminating the center green LEVEL light. Check to make sure that all jacks are on the ground. Also check to make sure that no tire is off the ground. If so, your
leveling process is complete.

The Power Gear PowerLevel hydraulic leveling system should be routinely checked as part of a regular vehicle maintenance program. Power Gear recommends checking the system twice a year: in the spring prior to the heavy travel season and in the winter, prior to storage. The following checklist has been provided as a guideline for maintenance.
1. Check and/or fill the reservoir with the jacks and room(s) in the fully retracted position, each month. The fluid should be onto the dipstick (on models so equipped) or to the bottom of the fill port on models without dipsticks.
2. Inspect and clean all hydraulic pump electrical connections every 12 months.
3. Remove dirt and road debris from jacks as needed.
4. If jacks are down for extended periods, it is recommended to spray exposed leveling jack chrome rods with a silicone lubricant every 5 to 7 days for protection.
5. In extreme conditions (within 60 miles of coastal areas), it is recommended to spray the rods every 2 to 3 days with a silicone lubricant.
6. To maintain proper seal lubrication, grease the fitting on the bottom of each jack cylinder with Lithium grease every 20-30 uses.

If silicone spray is wrong and WD40 leave a waxy residue: What should be used to clean and lubricate the jack posts? Or does the Lithium grease on the jack cylinder take care of that?

Like I stated in my first post. READ item 6. The jacks have a grease port to inject grease in the lower collar. You inject grease until you just see the grease start to ooze out the bottom seal. THAT makes the jack rods glide easier and also helps lube them. USE silicone as advised to prevent rust/corrosion on the exposed chrome piston for extended extensions. When the Jack rods are cycled they are immersed in ATF when retracted, that lubes them. Same with HWH(but no grease port). Doug

[Adventurer_Buck]

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[Adventurer_Buck]

dougrainer wrote:
Lets make something clear on this thread.
1. Silicone is NOT used to lube the jack rods. It is used to PROTECT the rods from exposure when left exposed for long times
2. The Auto system should have all 4 jacks on the ground. Below from the PG manual. Doug

4. Push the AUTO button. The automatic leveling system will begin its leveling procedure. Please avoid movement in the coach during automatic leveling as it can cause errors in the results. It will signal that it has completed the process by illuminating the center green LEVEL light. Check to make sure that all jacks are on the ground. Also check to make sure that no tire is off the ground. If so, your
leveling process is complete.

The Power Gear PowerLevel hydraulic leveling system should be routinely checked as part of a regular vehicle maintenance program. Power Gear recommends checking the system twice a year: in the spring prior to the heavy travel season and in the winter, prior to storage. The following checklist has been provided as a guideline for maintenance.
1. Check and/or fill the reservoir with the jacks and room(s) in the fully retracted position, each month. The fluid should be onto the dipstick (on models so equipped) or to the bottom of the fill port on models without dipsticks.
2. Inspect and clean all hydraulic pump electrical connections every 12 months.
3. Remove dirt and road debris from jacks as needed.
4. If jacks are down for extended periods, it is recommended to spray exposed leveling jack chrome rods with a silicone lubricant every 5 to 7 days for protection.
5. In extreme conditions (within 60 miles of coastal areas), it is recommended to spray the rods every 2 to 3 days with a silicone lubricant.
6. To maintain proper seal lubrication, grease the fitting on the bottom of each jack cylinder with Lithium grease every 20-30 uses.

If silicone spray is wrong and WD40 leave a waxy residue: What should be used to clean and lubricate the jack posts? Or does the Lithium grease on the jack cylinder take care of that?

[Adventurer_Buck]

rekoj71 wrote:
I've had this happen but usually when the site was not level side to side one of the rear jacks might not feel the need to touch. I usually just switched to manual to force the jack to extend. I also had this happen when I was on a site that was way out of level front to back in that the front jacks had used up too much of the fluid to have enough to put down the last jack. Usually I lift a tire when this happens so out come the blocks, of which I will put under both the tires and the jacks so that the tire isn't in the air and the jacks have more fluid to work with.
Doug's copy of the manual is what mine says also.

[rekoj71]

I've had this happen but usually when the site was not level side to side one of the rear jacks might not feel the need to touch. I usually just switched to manual to force the jack to extend. I also had this happen when I was on a site that was way out of level front to back in that the front jacks had used up too much of the fluid to have enough to put down the last jack. Usually I lift a tire when this happens so out come the blocks, of which I will put under both the tires and the jacks so that the tire isn't in the air and the jacks have more fluid to work with.
Doug's copy of the manual is what mine says also.

[dougrainer]

Lets make something clear on this thread.
1. Silicone is NOT used to lube the jack rods. It is used to PROTECT the rods from exposure when left exposed for long times
2. The Auto system should have all 4 jacks on the ground. Below from the PG manual. Doug

4. Push the AUTO button. The automatic leveling system will begin its leveling procedure. Please avoid movement in the coach during automatic leveling as it can cause errors in the results. It will signal that it has completed the process by illuminating the center green LEVEL light. Check to make sure that all jacks are on the ground. Also check to make sure that no tire is off the ground. If so, your
leveling process is complete.

The Power Gear PowerLevel hydraulic leveling system should be routinely checked as part of a regular vehicle maintenance program. Power Gear recommends checking the system twice a year: in the spring prior to the heavy travel season and in the winter, prior to storage. The following checklist has been provided as a guideline for maintenance.
1. Check and/or fill the reservoir with the jacks and room(s) in the fully retracted position, each month. The fluid should be onto the dipstick (on models so equipped) or to the bottom of the fill port on models without dipsticks.
2. Inspect and clean all hydraulic pump electrical connections every 12 months.
3. Remove dirt and road debris from jacks as needed.
4. If jacks are down for extended periods, it is recommended to spray exposed leveling jack chrome rods with a silicone lubricant every 5 to 7 days for protection.
5. In extreme conditions (within 60 miles of coastal areas), it is recommended to spray the rods every 2 to 3 days with a silicone lubricant.
6. To maintain proper seal lubrication, grease the fitting on the bottom of each jack cylinder with Lithium grease every 20-30 uses.

[Stefonius]

Adventurer Buck wrote:

Stefonius wrote:

Adventurer Buck wrote:

MaverickBBD wrote:
Can't stabilize if they are not touching the ground.

3 of the 4 jacks are solid on the ground. The side/end that is not is being supported by a Jack, has the tire for support.

A couple of years ago, I was working on a ladder inside of my attic. In order to reach something, I stood with one foot on the rung and one in the air. I was still supported, but broke my leg anyway, which caused me to fall off and clunk my head on the concrete floor. My head is solid bone all the way through, so no harm there. The leg, however, was mighty inconvenient in a cast for six weeks. I don't know if it would have broken if I had both feet on the ladder.

That might not have happened if you had three legs on the ladder before reaching out with your fourth. I'd like to hear more about your concrete floor in the attic. 😉

The concrete floor was under the ladder. My head was in the attic. I had taken off my other two legs in order to save weight and make my jeans fit more comfortably. I probably should have chocked my other foot.

[dahkota]

We have Power Gear jacks. Depending on what needs leveling, we may have one jack off the ground. It has been this way since the day we bought it, has persisted each time we use it (every day), has not caused us any problems, and was called 'normal' by the techs at Power Gear.

These are leveling lacks, not stabilizing jacks.

The one most often in the air? Rear passenger. It is also the last one to finish retracting - it is the furthest away from the pump.

[Adventurer_Buck]

Stefonius wrote:

Adventurer Buck wrote:

MaverickBBD wrote:
Can't stabilize if they are not touching the ground.

3 of the 4 jacks are solid on the ground. The side/end that is not is being supported by a Jack, has the tire for support.

A couple of years ago, I was working on a ladder inside of my attic. In order to reach something, I stood with one foot on the rung and one in the air. I was still supported, but broke my leg anyway, which caused me to fall off and clunk my head on the concrete floor. My head is solid bone all the way through, so no harm there. The leg, however, was mighty inconvenient in a cast for six weeks. I don't know if it would have broken if I had both feet on the ladder.

That might not have happened if you had three legs on the ladder before reaching out with your fourth. I'd like to hear more about your concrete floor in the attic. 😉

[Adventurer_Buck]

Chris Bryant wrote:

Adventurer Buck wrote:
...Going to silicone the hydraulic arm when extended to assure lubrication is not the issue since it's been stored since last Fall. Other than that, all appears to be working as designed.

Don't use silicone- per HWH, use only WD40-
http://hwhcorp.com/ml47149.pdf

Our RV has PowerGear Leveling Jacks. Their manual recommends a Silicone Lubricant https://www.lci1.com/assets/content/support/manuals/pg-82-L0356.pdf. WD-40 is known for evaporating and leaving behind a sticky, waxy residue which attracts dust and dirt. Wouldn't want that on a Jack Rod. But I agree, proper lubricating would make sense.

[Adventurer_Buck]

Chris Bryant wrote:

Adventurer Buck wrote:
...Going to silicone the hydraulic arm when extended to assure lubrication is not the issue since it's been stored since last Fall. Other than that, all appears to be working as designed.

Don't use silicone- per HWH, use only WD40-
http://hwhcorp.com/ml47149.pdf

Our RV has PowerGear Leveling Jacks. Their manual recommends a Silicone Lubricant https://www.lci1.com/assets/content/support/manuals/pg-82-L0356.pdf. WD-40 is known for evaporating and leaving behind a sticky, waxy residue which attracts dust and dirt. Wouldn't want that on a Jack Rod. But I agree, proper lubricating would make sense.

[dougrainer]

Adventurer Buck wrote:

MaverickBBD wrote:
Can't stabilize if they are not touching the ground.

3 of the 4 jacks are solid on the ground. The side/end that is not is being supported by a Jack, has the tire for support.

Your Jacks probably have a Grease Zerk on the bottom collar. If so, then lube with grease not silicone. Doug

[Stefonius]

Adventurer Buck wrote:

MaverickBBD wrote:
Can't stabilize if they are not touching the ground.

3 of the 4 jacks are solid on the ground. The side/end that is not is being supported by a Jack, has the tire for support.

A couple of years ago, I was working on a ladder inside of my attic. In order to reach something, I stood with one foot on the rung and one in the air. I was still supported, but broke my leg anyway, which caused me to fall off and clunk my head on the concrete floor. My head is solid bone all the way through, so no harm there. The leg, however, was mighty inconvenient in a cast for six weeks. I don't know if it would have broken if I had both feet on the ladder.

[Chris_Bryant]

Adventurer Buck wrote:
...Going to silicone the hydraulic arm when extended to assure lubrication is not the issue since it's been stored since last Fall. Other than that, all appears to be working as designed.

Don't use silicone- per HWH, use only WD40-
http://hwhcorp.com/ml47149.pdf