“Jack down” while driving?

[Hoaglandt616]

I was debating starting this thread because I’m thinking this will probably never happen again.

My wife and I and our 18 month daughter took our first overnight trip this past weekend hauling our boat and did some crabbing. Had a blast! Learned a lot.

On the way home while driving I got the “jacks down” light come on along with the dash alarm. Turned on the hwh control center and it didn’t show any jacks down. Drove nearly 5 miles before I found a good place to pull over. All jacks were up.

While in neutral with brake engaged I pressed “store” and the alarm sound and light went off.

Once I got home I went over everything. All sensor connectors are tight, fluid is fine, jacks were all retracted.

Any thoughts?

[creativepart]

Check your hydraulic fluid level. Low fluid warnings caused by rough roads or dips in the road are probably the cause. So if your fluid is close to low a bump can signal the alarms.

[Hoaglandt616]

I did. When I got back home I checked sensor connectors, fluid level and tried to push up on each jack to see if it had indeed leaked. I will double check everything tomorrow for sure. Thank you.

[Alpine36]

Same thing happened to us recently (HWH system) Pulled over and did the exact procedure you did. It's never happened since, so not sure what's going on. I know that temperature change can cause hydraulics to creep some, typically as things cool off. Or perhaps the retract springs are getting a little weak? Tough to say....

[Alpine36]

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f104/jack...ing-70367.html

Old thread from 2010 goes into detail why this may have happened.

[Jeff and Cheryl]

Driver side rear jack is usually the problem. It will only drop an inch or so but that is enough to light up the light and sound the alarm. You have already found the solution. The only thing you can do to minimize this happening is to make sure to wait for the system to cycle off when storing after having them down. I've taken to stopping after about an hour and hitting the retract button and letting the system retract for a couple of minutes before turning off the system again.

[wolfe10]

Originally Posted by Jeff and Cheryl

Driver side rear jack is usually the problem. It will only drop an inch or so but that is enough to light up the light and sound the alarm. You have already found the solution. The only thing you can do to minimize this happening is to make sure to wait for the system to cycle off when storing after having them down. I've taken to stopping after about an hour and hitting the retract button and letting the system retract for a couple of minutes before turning off the system again.

EXACTLY. Not allowing the HWH panel to go through its whole cycle and turn itself off can trap fluid in the lines.



Particularly with the heat of the day and driving, that trapped fluid can expand just enough to trigger the "jack down" alarm.

[gmcgene]

I've experienced the "jacks down warning" twice in 4 years. The first time I "stressed" for several miles while searching for a turn out in heavy traffic.

The last time was only a week ago. I immediately energized the HWH system (one click) and pushed the "store button". Warning light went out and buzzer stopped while I looked for a turn out to verify that jacks were up.

Since the first occurrence I have allowed the "Store Function" to run until it turns off automatically. So, I was surprised to get the recent jacks warning.

[TOO LONG]

Originally Posted by Hoaglandt616

I was debating starting this thread because I’m thinking this will probably never happen again.

My wife and I and our 18 month daughter took our first overnight trip this past weekend hauling our boat and did some crabbing. Had a blast! Learned a lot.

On the way home while driving I got the “jacks down” light come on along with the dash alarm. Turned on the hwh control center and it didn’t show any jacks down. Drove nearly 5 miles before I found a good place to pull over. All jacks were up.

While in neutral with brake engaged I pressed “store” and the alarm sound and light went off.

Once I got home I went over everything. All sensor connectors are tight, fluid is fine, jacks were all retracted.

Any thoughts?

That had to be scary to see that jacks down light come on while going down the road. I would have freaked out.

[Barbaraok]

When we first had the coach we had this problem. After putting new springs on all around we haven't had any problems. Of course my saying this will probably jinx us!

[Hoaglandt616]

Will the system power off completely or will the travel mode green light just turn on when it’s complete?

Out of curiosity, how level is your HWH stern getting your coach when on let’s say a 3-5* grade front to back?

[Ljwt330]

Originally Posted by Hoaglandt616

Will the system power off completely or will the travel mode green light just turn on when it’s complete?

Out of curiosity, how level is your HWH stern getting your coach when on let’s say a 3-5* grade front to back?

First, I had the same experience as you, and "fixed" it the way others mentioned. Yes, very scary the first time it happens! Fluid level was full, all jacks were up. I concluded it was a failure to allow the complete shut down of the HWH system when I left the campsite. The manual says you should allow about six minutes for full retraction of the system, even if the green "TRAVEL MODE" light is ON. Honestly, I cannot remember if it shuts itself OFF. Now, I wait a good 10 minutes before starting the engine at which time the system turns OFF when the ignition is moved from ACC. to START. No problems since.


Now, to your question. I set my coach to auto level and allow the computer to complete its cycle. I always find it is too high in the front and on the right side when I use a level inside (I use the level at three locations in the MH, just for accuracy.) Also, the water in the toilet as well as the swing out of the toilet door indicate a slight out-of-level-setting. I then just use manual mode and gradually lower the coach until level is reached. I know the auto level sensors can be adjusted, but it's just not that big a deal to tweak the auto setting, manually.


One other thing. I always do a walk around after leveling to insure all jacks are in ground contact. I have found, on a few occasions, that one of the rear jacks is not in contact--something that should have been done when on auto-level. Even if the rear does not need leveling, the rear jacks are deployed to stabilize the coach.

[Hoaglandt616]

^^^^Exactly what I experienced this past weekend as well. I too used the bathroom door and also a bouncy ball that I had found. One of the rear jacks was barely touching the ground. After it ran through its cycle I just had the wife push some buttons while I eyed it from outside.

When storing I’ll give it more time from now on. First thought is your waiting for that “jack down” to make contact on the road when you hit a bump. Then you get out to look and nothing. Haha.

Thank you for all the help and info everyone.

[Russ Silber]

Originally Posted by Hoaglandt616

^^^^Exactly what I experienced this past weekend as well. I too used the bathroom door and also a bouncy ball that I had found. One of the rear jacks was barely touching the ground. After it ran through its cycle I just had the wife push some buttons while I eyed it from outside.

When storing I’ll give it more time from now on. First thought is your waiting for that “jack down” to make contact on the road when you hit a bump. Then you get out to look and nothing. Haha.

Thank you for all the help and info everyone.

Let system run until it turns off by it self. Sometimes takes 3-4,
Min. Happened on our 1999 Dutchstar. Very scary going down the road. Our salesmen told us the secret. Don't rush mother nature [emoji1][emoji1][emoji1]