Leveling Jacks Hydraulic Fluid Checking

[sirpurrcival]

So I haven't checked this fluid in my 99 Tropical since I bought it 2 years ago. Is this something that should be done regularly and where is the reservoir that holds the fluid? Triton V-10 gas and Power Gear Levelling Jacks

[Old Trucker]

Originally Posted by sirpurrcival

So I haven't checked this fluid in my 99 Tropical since I bought it 2 years ago. Is this something that should be done regularly and where is the reservoir that holds the fluid? Triton V-10 gas and Power Gear Levelling Jacks

I can not answer your quetions, but also be looking undernearh the coach for a corrosion on a wire.I have 99 Alpine. old trucker

[garym114]

The reservoir is in the front engine access area. If the fluid ever gets low you will get a 'jacks down' alarm. No actual sensors on the jacks, just a low level alarm.
Keep a quart of transmission fluid on board. Only way to silence the alarm is to add fluid to the reservoir.

[clyon51]

Yea, what Gary said. If your resevoir is covered by a plastic shroud, it's much easier to remove it (2 screws on top) to check and fill it. Never leave home without a quart of ATF.

[sirpurrcival]

Thanks folks. I will add that to my kit of necessities.

[desobelman]

Yes, the hydraulic reservoir for the jacks is under the hood in the front engine compartment. There should be a screw in plug at the top with a 3" dipstick. Fill the reservoir to past the mark only when the jacks are UP!

If you are not getting the "Jacks are down" warning buzzer then, most likely, it is full. With the jacks down, if you start the engine and release the hand (parking) brake, does the beeping start and the jacks come up automatically? That is what should happen. If no buzzer and jacks not retracting, then the buzzer is not connected,

As mentioned, always good to carry extra hydraulic fluid, antifreeze and motor oil with you.

Happy Trail!

Darryl

[sirpurrcival]

The jacks seem to be fine and I do get the beeping when the jacks are down and you put it in gear. I just didn't know where to check em or if there was something to check. Still learning so much. This site is my best resource!!!

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by desobelman

As mentioned, always good to carry extra hydraulic fluid, antifreeze and motor oil with you.

Also some transmission fluid for the jacks since most don't use hydraulic fluid in them.

[garym114]

Originally Posted by sirpurrcival

The jacks seem to be fine and I do get the beeping when the jacks are down and you put it in gear.

Only put the engine in gear when the jacks are fully retracted!!
Put this in your mental checklist. Bad things can happen if you don't.

[sirpurrcival]

Originally Posted by garym114

Only put the engine in gear when the jacks are fully retracted!!
Put this in your mental checklist. Bad things can happen if you don't.

It was only done as a test. Have no desire to find bad things

[two2go]

I think the manual says to change the fluid every 2-3 yrs (coach in storage, so can't verify now). I did a change on my driveway. Thought I could capture the drain flow via a funnel into a drain pan. Not!!! When I pulled the drain plug, funnel filled up immediately resulting in 1 qt. in pan and 1-1/2 gal. on me and driveway. If you do it, just know that that tank drains real fast.

[Bebe]

Could anyone describe what the reservoir looks like?!

[clyon51]

PowerGear's are about 4" in diameter and about 18" long. The bottom will have a drain plug.

[pagosajoe]

Originally Posted by Bebe

Could anyone describe what the reservoir looks like?!

The reservoir, in our 2012 Discovery 36J, is about the size of a semi-translucent plastic gallon milk jug, located in the passenger side/rear of the coach. The top has a filler point to put in the fluid.