Hydraulic RV Jack Fail! Four Lessons Learned
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- čas přidán 16. 02. 2017
- We've never had a moment of trouble with our HWH hydraulic jacks in over 12 years in this, our second motorhome. But during our recent visit to Zion National Park, we caused our own jack failure!
Check out the video to see what went wrong, how we dealt with it, how we learned four lessons in the process. We actually knew about this issue, but being mostly snowbirds, we forgot about this potential cold-weather camping situation.
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Sir. I am a newbee to motorhoming and this is the very best hydraulic jack fix-em-up I have seen. I am also a retired Broadcast engineer, so I found your voice over narrative very professional. You just raised the bar for U TUBE A/V productions. Thanks.
Thank you so very much! You just made our evening! 😊
Well you've just increased my knowledge about an R/V adventure.
These videos are the best resource a RV owner could find. I know it’s older but so is my coach being a 2000 DSDP.
Thank you!! And enjoy your life!!
Thanks so much, Ricky!
Wow, there's something that I never considered happening. It's great that you two showed us how to handle the problem. As always thanks and "Keep on keepin on."
Thanks Charlie. This was one of those things that was in the back of our minds that we just don't generally think about, since we usually do our best to avoid RVing in sub-freezing temps. We'll sure remember it next time!
I would never have thought of the cold weather effect as I usually stay in warmer climates. Thank goodness for RV Geeks! Saving the day in advance! 👍 Really impressive repair as well. Great teamwork!
Thanks Gypsy! We think your technique of staying in warmer climates to avoid this kind of stuff is the best way to go! ;-)
You've restored by faith in humanity.
Even the RV Geeks can have one of those "Doh!" moments.
We must have been inspired by Jason Wynn's "How Not To" moments! LOL
Thank's for sharedi,
Great job guys. Another one for the books. You never seem to disappoint, we all should be thankful you share all these sometimes common and others not so common happenings. Sticks such a great idea. Happy Camping!
Thanks Nancy! The ONLY saving grace about this episode was that we could make a video out of it! LOL So it's great to hear you liked it. :)
Your pads froze to the ground, and when you picked them up, they stuck, causing a spring detachment! Now, I'll watch the video! Great job on your vid's! Thanks,
Happened to me today. Mud pulled the pad / spring from the piston. The piston was almost fully extended. Just kept repeating the process and putting in more wood/pads and eventually had the piston far enough up to drive. Not sure yet how to the pad and springs back on there, but today this video saved my bacon!! Thanks so much for publishing. Been an RV'er for 35 years with 7 different motorhomes and today this was a first.
Sorry to hear this happened, but thanks for letting us know we were helpful. Always great to hear! Safe Travels.
Bless you, I just bought an RV I went to put the jacks down and the right front didn't have the plate on it and went into the ground. I sure want to thank you for showing me how to put the springs on. Thanks again your were a blessing.
Now this was a cool tip........... Fantastic!!!!! Painters stir sticks, never would have thought!!!!
Thanks Tim! Nothing better than free tools/supplies (Lowes wouldn't accept any payment for them, even though we weren't buying paint). :)
This an amazing video, as I am going to replace a broken spring here in a few days the video was very helpful. Thank you.
Wow, terrific fix, guys. Thanks for passing it on. I don't think the Class C I'm getting in a couple of months has levelers, but these things are always good to know in case I see someone with this problem.
Jon
We haven't seen too many Class C rigs with jacks other than some higher end ones, but good to be able to come to the rescue next time you see a Class A in the frozen tundra! :)
What a crazy creative solution!! We don't have these style jacks (we have a 2-year old 5th wheel with no springs) but I just love the ingenuity!
Thanks Crystal! We had a long day's drive in front of us the day we left Zion, so we were very relieved to get that jack retracted so we could roll! Everything after that was a little easier, since we had time to plan a bit for the repair.
Thanks! That's such a clever way to fix a problem. I hope I never need it, but if I do I know where to look for a refresher. You guys are great!
Thanks Miles! We hope we never need it again either!
Excellent video once again. Thanks guys.
Omg yet another great tip! Which is why we enjoy your channel so much. Thanks guys! Be safe
Thanks so much, Roger! :)
Brilliant!! In every mistake or "doh!" moment, we always have the opportunity to make lemonade out of lemons. If you thought you made a dumb mistake, you looked 1000x smarter in how you recovered from it. Thanks for sharing and helping the rest of us potentially avoid or recover from the same mistake.
And 2 thumbs up on iRV2! The good folks there helped me center my steering wheel on my Ford F53 platform after the heavy truck alignment shop couldn't figure out how to do it.
Thanks so much, Doc! Much appreciated. And we love iRV2 as well! :)
Great job. I consider myself pretty good, But would never have thought of the paint sticks!!Great video.
Fascinating!! Thanks for posting this with great video and detailed explanation!!
Gentlemen another of your excellent videos; clear, thorough, creative engineering repair..........just hope I never have to do this one myself. Also wanted to thank you for the winter Zion clip. We are annual visitors to Bryce and have talked of making a winter trip but haven't. You've inspired us! Our Tiffin Allegro RED is in for it's first service and we'll soon be on the road again, hope to see you there.
Thanks Rob! We love Bryce too, but we'll bet it's even colder in the winter due to the high elevation. We were there in October once and damn near froze our buns off! Have a great trip this year.
Thanks. The best DIY video I’ve seen in a while..
My wifes name and pic. Mark here. I have a 2000 Western RV Alpine 36 FDS LE. I remembered seeing this video before thank goodness as today when stowing the jacks I heard a noise, it was the front driver's side jack, one spring broke at the top mount at the springs Hook and the jack stayed down 6 to 8 inches. . I followed your method of opening the solenoid bleed off valve's but it wasn't working, the jack wouldn't budge.. After stressing a bit I tried one more thing. On the HWH controller I hit the store button and bingo the RV dropped. I just kept repeatability raising the RV with the air bags then fit another pad like you use under the Jack and hit the stow button each time shoving the Jack back up until I was ready to go. Thanks again you great Geeks!
It’s always great to hear we’ve been helpful, Mark, so thanks very much for letting us know. 😊
Totally good info for us all in cold weather. Love the demonstration with paint sticks. Any of us could just get these sticks anywhere and bring along with our other tools. Don't way anything.
Very true, Anna! We're going to add a handful of them to our toolbox. You know... just in case! ;)
Great tips as always!!
An excellent video & editing!!! I really enjoyed your video. It showed what someone would need to do if theirs failed. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching and for the nice comment! :)
Oh thank you X10.... I have the exact same problem with the left rear HWH hydraulic jack on my Kountry Star.. and was wondering how the heck I was going to reseat the pad.. Thanks to this video? I now have the answer....
Brigitte
This is a awesome video, thanks for sharing
To initially compress the jack use a bottle jack or the scissor jack from your towed vehicle. Use jack pads or lumber to give you enough extension to push the piston back up. Great videos! Been a long time fan!!
+MacTonight50 Yup! Scissor jack from the toad was another option that we thought of after we used the jack dump method. Thanks! 😊
Thanks for posting your video! I knocked the feet off my HWH levelers yesterday. I did have blocks of wood with me but the weren't large enough to get full retract on the cylinders
A trip to Wmart for two packs of Lynx Level blocks was just the ticket. Got cylinders stowed, but different method than solenoids. I did multiple stepped air dumps from control panel, shutting off system, then turned & put into "stow" mode. This worked to get jacks UP & green light on for "travel". This HAD to work! Every rv svc place is booked out 4 weeks...
Awesome work, Ethel! Got it done! 👍 Glad we could help.
who would of thunk it, great tip, definitely keeping this tip in my back pocket in case this happens to us - my husband would call it ingenious. Thanks!
Thanks Deeb! :)
Great Video, I hope to see this park in my future and will remember your problem/tip!!!!
Hope you get there, too! It's a great place!
Great video, I hope I never have to do what you guys had to do BUT now I know what to do thanks to this video. You guys rock!
Thanks John! You just made our day. :)
Great video and Info as always. Thanks for all the time you put into making your great videos
Thanks Ken! :)
Thank you for yet "Another" great solution. You guys are great!
Thanks so much, Stephen! :)
You guys are so clever.... what a wonderful cheap solution to what could be a nightmare.
Thanks Paul. We felt like Macgyver out there! LOL
Awesome guys! Thanks for sharing !
Terrific lesson learned. Thank you
Very important information, thanks for sharing I will be sure to check jacks during cold weather nights. 👍
We'll check ours from now on, too.... or just stay where it's warm from now on. LOL
I wouldn't have thought of that, thank you.
Another fantastic video. Mike and Lisa are dry camping with us out at the Kofa Wildlife area (just south of Quartzsite). Mike and I watched this video together and both said "BOOM!" when watching the early part of the video. I can imagine that was a disturbing sound. As always, great video, great editing, VERY informative.
Thanks David! When we said that the foot released from the ground like a slingshot, we did not mention that it sounded like a cannon shot! You are right on with the BOOM! Startled the crap out of me! LOL If you look closely at the video, you can see the mark and chipped paint on the top of the foot, just off-center, where it hit the cylinder. Luckily, the steel is pretty impervious, so no harm done. Have a great time in Kofa!
I would have probably made the same mistake. Learning through "experience" certainly has a longer lasting impact though :) Stir sticks? Who knew. Great tips!
And those sticks were free, too! :) We felt bad asking for them at Lowes, since we weren't buying paint, and offered to pay for them. But the guy said "They're free" so away we went. And you're sure right about "learning through experience" as I won't soon forget that sound that jack foot made when it shot up into the bottom of the RV... like a cannon! You can see in the video the mark and chipped paint just off-center of the mounting hole where it hit the hydraulic cylinder. Good thing that the steel is pretty much impervious. The costly mistakes hurt even more ;-)
I always look forward to your work!
Thanks Stephen! :)
thanks for sharing this tip. I would never have thought to insert wood chips to lengthen the springs.
That's the part we learned from the iRV2 forums! Great resource. :)
Excellent Job Good advice. Thank you.
Nice, we kind of had the same thing this winter. But ours stayed all together as it rose, then snap, the pad pulled from the ground bringing snow, ice and gravel with it. Haha, great tip.
Ours sounded like a cannon shot!
Hi guys. Once again a wonderful "how to get yourself out of trouble" video. Great info. Thanks once again!
Thanks Jack! :)
Perfect! I couldn't have done it without you!
So glad we could be of help, Peter! Thanks for letting us know.
Another great video! Well done!
Excellent video!!! Thanks for the share.
Good job, friends!
Ciao, have a nice weekend!
Thanks Eusepio! You too. :)
What a excellent video, thanks again guys!
Thanks James! Great to hear. :)
Great video with a good tip if I am truthful I don't think I would have thought of that thanks keep up the good work
Great information and very useful.
Well done!
Great bush fix. I have always avoided this problem by simply putting wood blocks underneath each jack. This keeps the jack springs from over extending and also avoids the trouble you had with frozen ground.
Yes indeed. We've added "freezing temperatures" to "soft ground" and "very un-level site" as the third reason to use jack pads. :)
VERY ingenious and well executed !
Thanks Jay! :)
Great video guys. Very novel idea using the paint stir sticks.
Thanks Gene! They were free even. :)
Every problem is an opportunity to learn. I smiled when you pulled out the paint sticks. Over the years I have kept a supply of them. I have found so many uses for them Every time I buy paint I get an extra stick, and I never discard a paint stick. Oh, and let me not forget popsicle sticks. They come in handy as well. Can't say often enough, necessity is the mother of invention.
You guys can figure out anything, you're methodical in your approach to everything. I feel any problem can be surmounted by investing enough brain power. You guys have mountains of brain power.Drive safely and enjoy.
Thanks so much Vincent. It sounds like you've got a great brain going there, too! Having limited space as a full-timer, I'm always extra happy to realize that I have some obscure little part on board that I can Macgyver into a solution and head off a crisis! Especially when it's something that should surely be useless that I didn't even know why I was keeping around. ;-)
Glad I'll know what to do when something like that happens to my parents Newmar. Thanks guys.
Tell them to stay where it's warm! LOL
Dad hates the cold, that's why the parents are hanging out in AZ until spring.
I don't like having my jacks in dirt even if the dirt is warm and dry. A couple of years ago I went to a lumber store and had a 2" thick, 12" wide, 12' length of lumber cut into 1 foot square sections. Then added anti slip tape to one side.
Whenever I'm parked on dirt I use these squares under my jacks. If the wood is buried more than1/2" in dirt I find a more stable area to park. I have the plastic RV leveling blocks but I find the 2" thick wood pads work just as well maybe better.
As usual great video guys.
Thanks Jack!
Great information thank you.
Learned on our first trip to put boards under the jack pads. We were camping in the spring and the jack went 6" into the soft ground and would not retract. Had to dig out the jack and use a lever to compress it. Had the jack replaced after this. I now put boards under the jacks unless we are on concrete or hard gravel site.
The campsite was almost perfectly level with very hard-packed soil, so no sinking or leveling issues at all. We only put pads down when the site is very unlevel, or soft. Now we'll add "frozen" to that list.... or stay south! LOL
Excellent !!!
Awesome guys! Gonna remember that trick!
It's one we're not likely to forget anytime soon, either! ;)
Yeah, we had an instance once where the jack panel just died. And with jacks down, we weren't going anywhere. Thankfully discovered those t valves. Cranked 'em open and voila...jacks up. Turns out it was a loose connection in the panel. After talking with HWH (whose customer service is amazing) we narrowed it down to a wire that was loose/corroded.
You dudes are brilliant!!!
Thanks Laurel! You are too kind. :)
Very interesting problem and solution!
The primary lesson for us was adding a third occasion to use jack pads (adding "freezing conditions" to "very off-level" and "soft ground." Of course the REAL lesson for us is be true to our Snowbird selves and steer clear of freezing temps year-round. ;-)
Love this tip !
Fantastically simple and economical. Thanks you for making this video. I hope I never have to use this information . :)
What a smart repair!!!!! Thanks for taking the time to show the details. I had already mentally spent $200 for the fix. You should re-brand under RV Resourceful Geeks.
Thanks Anthony! Glad we didn't cost you (or us) anything. ;-)
You guys Rock!! I have learned so much useful information.
Thanks so much Richard! :)
Great tip.
you guys are amazeing. I havnt needed this, hope I never do, but if it happens...everyone's going to think I'm a genius :)
Thanks so much! We hope you never need it either! ;-)
Pete, recall the springs on Moms garage door???? Whatta memory!!!! Took an eight foot cheater bar to install, and they were outlawed in the 1980s as they killed folks!!!! Seem to think you would have shot that base plate with Rustoleum flat black when it was off. Anudder day!! Thank you!!
I had to use two monkey wrenches to help my Dad adjust our garage doors when I was a kid. I'll bet we would indeed have been killed it one had let loose! We did indeed think about painting the base plate while it was off.... for about a second. John gave me a dirty look when I even mentioned it (did you notice his winter coat in the spring-installation section of the video?). He REALLY hates the cold! LOL And it was probably too cold for spray paint anyway, so yes, another day!
Brilliant!
This was a great tip. Thanks
That's an awesome video!
Great video, only thing I may have tried, is to find some type of cheater bar for the top of the spring? Thanks for the tip.
Genius I would have never thought of that
great idea!!!!
excellent video!
Thanks David!
thanks...rv geeks...brilliant solution. .2 thumbs up
Glad you got it fixed safely. It looked like there were opportunities for pinched fingers and flying sticks!
+Lance Harris Thanks Lance! We were very cognizant of the danger to John's fingers, so very careful indeed!
That's some great McGuyver-ing..... kudos
Thank you!
Love your vids/channel: we just got back from Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone Nat'l park: our trailer tire equalizer blocks (Lynx Levelers) got frozen deep into the mud: thankfully, the Lynx system has open spaces within the square blocks: i brought ice melt, and after spreading the ice melt into the spaces within the blocks, poured hot water onto the ice melt: within 1-2 mins, i was able to pry out the blocks. In the future, i will put a layer of ice melt on the ground BEFORE laying the leveling blocks...RnMT
Great to hear that you were able to extricate yourself and your levelers! We only use pads for very un-level sites, or soft ground. Now we'll be adding a 3rd reason to use them: potential freezing ground.
Great solution. I'm sure I would have panicked! You guys work great together. I was wondering if using pads under the jack plates would have prevented this.
+Frank P Thanks Frank. Pads would indeed have prevented the jacks from freezing to the ground (the pads would freeze down instead, but could be pried loose afterward). The reason we didn't use them is because the site was so level and hard-packed that none were needed.
been there, was able to use a hydraulic jack to compress the ram. Good tip on the spring wish I'd had that info.
Using a hydraulic jack (or a car jack) is a great idea for those who don't have air suspension (gas rigs). We'll have to keep that idea in mind. Thanks!
RVgeeks You should have a jack rated for your rigs weight as you never know when it's needed! It doesn't take up that much room in the tool tray.
0:35 Mud suck! That's my guess. Going back to watch the whole video now. :)
Jon
Great Video !!
:)
I backed up to a railroad tie in a campground and when I lowed the HWI Jacks the foot only half on the tie. As the cylinder kept lowering the jack foot rotated and came off the cylinder producing the same problem you had . Always check area befor lower jacks.
I have HWH hydraulic jacks also. The problem I encountered was that the while my motorhome was in storage at home, one of the springs broke, while being fully extended on the ground. Afterwards, the 2nd spring broke on the same jack. I was unable to push the jack up into place since the springs were broken and I was unable to drive the motorhome. I went and purchased a low clearance hydraulic jack so I could retract the jack on my motorhome. I put the jack I purchased underneath the foot and raised the jack at the same time I automatically retracted the jack on the motorhome. I then ordered new springs to replace the broken ones. HWH informed me that they could not believe the springs broke on their own, but they did break. I also ordered a spare set of springs and carry them with me in case this occurs again. I also carry the hydraulic jack I purchased.
Wow, Gary! Never heard of the springs just breaking... but we have now. Sounds like you did a great job of self-extrication.
Nice video..... I have reinstalled jack feet twice with a pry bar and A LOT of choice words.... won't be doing that again now.
Yup.... no fun.
What a Great video !!!!
Thanks Glenn!!
Great video guys. I guess if you have a gas rig without air bags, you would have to find an alternative way to compress the cylinder. I was thinking perhaps using the jack in the toad, or in the RV if it had one. Anyway, thanks for the lesson!
Absolutely, David... we think someone else mentioned that same suggestion of using your car jack to push the cylinder back in. Brilliant... and doesn't require any special tools you don't (usually) have handy!
A GOOD reason to have a separate bottle jack and 2X4 planks on-board. The usual toad auto jack is usable ONLY on that model auto!
+1 for Neil's bottle jack suggestion. Cheap, small, powerful.
I alway carry a 2by4 with Me. Use my 2by and a chock block does the trick every time. Have had retraction problems for as long as i have had the coac 10 years.
Nice field fix with the blocks.
Thanks, Jim. It was one of those moments of inspiration. We just hope our experience can help someone else somewhere down the road!
good stuff guys
Thanks! Glad you liked it. :)
This was an excellent video, although it had nothing to do with my problem, l learned something!!, Very Cool video!
Thanks Tommy! 😊
An absolutely brilliant method of re-installing jack springs! Thanks for sharing that guys!!
Two comments though... First, why hadn't you put those blocks under the jack feet before hand so they didn't get stuck to ground in the first place? I always block my jack feet.
Second, shouldn't the springs be reversed from each other? One hook facing outboard one hook facing inboard?
Keep up the great work. Absolutely love watching your stuff!
Thanks Brian! We only use jack pads when we're too off-level for the jacks to extend far enough, or when we're on very soft ground, to help prevent sinking in. This was a very level site, and quite solidly packed, so no pads needed. Replacing the springs, we simply replicated the way it is on the other side, with both hooks facing inward, and figured that was the way they'd been on the left rear before we sprung them loose!
you guys are Awesome!!!
Thanks! :)
Yeah, absolutely no one is immune to accidents and embarrassment, and awkward moments like you 2 ended up in. I honestly do believe that - like I just said -that absolutely no one is immune to accidents and embarrassment, and awkward moments, whether one is willing to accept their actions and mistakes as their own, and step up and show that they understand that they are human and that they make mistakes. I accept that idea, I accept the fact that I am human and can make mistakes, and make errors.