HWH levelor stuck down, can't move

[rosegramma]

When we tried to leave our campsite this am, apparently the left rear levelor had sunk in the ground and got stuck, but we were not aware, thought it was up. When we tried to go, couldn't move. Now can't get it up. Dug around, tried getting it to go up or down, other levelors work, not the stuck one. Removed baseplate, that didn't help. Removed springs, tried to manually get it up or down, no go.

Any suggestions. We are located at Cloud 9 Ranch, C2C park, far out in the boonies in south MO, about 100 miles from Branson.

Lois (& John)
'02 Alpine 38FDDS

[rosegramma]

When we tried to leave our campsite this am, apparently the left rear levelor had sunk in the ground and got stuck, but we were not aware, thought it was up. When we tried to go, couldn't move. Now can't get it up. Dug around, tried getting it to go up or down, other levelors work, not the stuck one. Removed baseplate, that didn't help. Removed springs, tried to manually get it up or down, no go.

Any suggestions. We are located at Cloud 9 Ranch, C2C park, far out in the boonies in south MO, about 100 miles from Branson.

Lois (& John)
'02 Alpine 38FDDS

[rosegramma]

Okay. John was able to release the hydraulics to that leveler and get it most of the way up. He wired the base plate back into position with a coat hanger just to prevent the leveler piston from vibrating back down. We will be on our way cautiously and will wait until we get to a Cummins Coach Care to get it fixed. We are on our way home anyway, so should be okay now. We hope. Won't be putting out slides or using levelers until it is fixed.

Lois

[SteveS]

If the jack wouldn't come up due to pressure not being released in the hydraulic system, you might release the valve pressure in the hydraulics bay (if you haven't done it yet). The top row of solonoids, the farthest one inboard should be the control for the rear drive side jack. Loosen the T handle on the solonoid valve and that should release the pressure. With the valve loosened, see if the jacks will come up. You might need to get something under them and pry. If you didn't bend the shaft when trying to pull out, the jacks should come up. Also, something that frequently happens is the jacks tend to get stuck down as a result of dirt build-up in the outer seals. HWH has provided heavier springs to help with this issue but I have found that periodically wiping the shafts over with hydraulic fluid keeps them moving freely. Since I have been doing this, I have never had a problem...used to have the problem constantly.

If you can't pry the jack up, you might need a separate jack to raise the coach, insert blocks under the stuck jack, lower the coach to force the stuck jack up and continue this process until the stuck jack is high enough. Just in case it is stuck as a result of the shaft rather than a solonoid valve, I would wipe the shaft down with hydraulic fluid before trying to force it up.

[Tom and Patty]

I've had this problem before I started carrying 2x8 pieces of wood to spread the pressure of the jack. I found that by starting the engine and inflating the air bags I would get enough lift to release the stuck jack from the ground.