Community Forums

mobilebird · 07-24-2013, 08:19 PM

We've had lots of trouble with our Atwood electric jacks on our 2006 Phaeton. Two in 2006 a few months after we took delivery, four over five months in late 2010, and now another one. Anyone else out there had any like experiences? We're on our way to have this one replaced (they always replace, never repair) and are waiting for the other shoe to drop - one goes out then soon after that the one on the other side goes out. These have all been the rear jacks. It's a scarey thing when the jack drops your coach especially if you happen to be in the bedroom at the time.

Pigman1 · 07-24-2013, 08:59 PM

I definitely feel your pain. We had an 08 Bus with the Atwoods and also had problems. Have you removed the jacks and disassembled them? A real education on what garbage looks like. The entire load on the jacks is supported by a plate at the top of the square tube. THE PLATE IS SIMPLY CRIMPED INTO THE TUBE. And the crimp periodically fails. When I saw this (after I had one fail) I vowed to never slide anything under the coach if any jack was even just touching the ground.

Once I saw the way the jacks are assembled, I added some square bar in the corners of the jack tubes to support the plate carrying the weight and then welded the plate in place. The jacks also have a habit of chattering on extension or retraction, and despite user instructions which say to NOT lube them, the lubing of the tubes seems to help. Eventually though, the jacks need to be replaced. Also the shear pins in the gearing have a habit of breaking, and none are available to replace them. I used the shafts of drills that I cut with a Dremel tool to the proper length. These jacks are a real piece of work.

Atwood jacks... Never again for me.

rav4annie · 07-25-2013, 08:47 PM

I have a 2007 40' Phaeton and had the same problems, replacing jacks 4 times and a motherboard. Finally spoke to Tiffin and learned that Atwood had come out with a new system and Tiffin would help defray the cost for it. Last time in Red Bay I had the new system installed and I must say that I haven't experienced any problems with them since. (knock on wood!!)