Community Forums

robbstein · 06-05-2009, 07:37 AM

We had the opportunity to visit HWH over at Moscow, IA a couple of weeks ago to have them repair a problem. I had had the bolts break that hold the front jacks to the chassis, thus dropping the coach. Then I didn't help things too much by dragging them about 20 miles very slowly to my local dealer to have them removed and capped till I could get them fixed and remounted. (My driveway slopes enough that I have to raise the front wheels off the ground to get close to level).

The dealer thought I had damaged the jacks and wanted to replace them with new at considerable expense, but I didn't think there was any major damage since I had been able to retract them after the collapse and before dragging them on the road.

I placed the removed parts in one of the storage bins and carried them with us until we could get to HWH several months later. I called HWH and was able to get an appointment fairly quickly once we were in the area and they checked everything out. The only damage was one hose leaking and an electrical connection damaged. They replaced the hose, and fixed the electrical connection and also fixed a couple of leaking o-rings on the manifold, all for a very reasonable price, considering the coach was in the shop a full day.

If you have a HWH jack problem (or slideout), talk to the factory or visit them and let the experts replace/repair the problem. This was our second visit to the factory and we've always been very satisified with their service and prices.

Ken Roberts · 06-05-2009, 08:44 AM

I agree wholeheartedly with Robb. To me HWH is on that very short list of companies who actually know how and are openly willing to walk the walk. Today, there are far too many companies that are hiding behind the economic problems of the country as an excuse for shoddy workmanship, less than acceptable customer service and overall inappropriate business practices. Thankfully, HWH has not elected to join their ranks and will probably never be seen lining up at the government feeding trough, aka bailout (handout) money. Ken....

John Hilley · 06-05-2009, 08:57 AM

I have also been to HWH and totally agree, that if you have a jack problem and can work in a visit it is worth the effort. If you are in the west you have 3T's RVs in Lake Havasu City. I believe Paul Smith helped develop the jacks. He does HWH seminars at GNR.

EngineerMike · 06-05-2009, 10:15 AM

Robb- any idea why the bolts broke? If your driveway slopes too much perhaps the extension of jacks puts prying action in addition to shear force on those bolts; if that's true it will likely happen again unless addressed. Did you or HWH have any thoughts on that?

Doug Sage · 06-06-2009, 06:24 AM

I had what turned out to be a hydraulic line that blew off the fitting and ended up with one slide out about 7". I called HWH to talk to their technical service and find out what to do to get it back in. I told them that I was stranded beside the road. They took my phone number and said they would have a service person call me back. That was three weeks ago yesterday and I still haven't heard from them! I ended up calling my roadside assistance and having someone come out and help me. Then I got to a campground and called a mobile mechanic who replaced the hydraulic line and I am fine now. Needless to say, I am not very happy with HWH service.

robbstein · 06-06-2009, 08:16 AM

I did discuss the bolts with the tech working on the coach. He said it could be either over tightened at installation (too much torque) or maybe not tight enough. They say it shouldn't happen. In any case, we are moving away from that location, so hopefully, we won't experience it again before we get moved.