Automatic Hydraulic Leveling System

[2 Bichons]

Can someone tell me....
Do Motorhomes always have 4 Auto Hudraulic Levelers or do some have 3?

We have a new to us 2006 HR Neptune 36 PDQ and the other day hubby took it to get tires...the tire place was going to use the levelers to lift the unit to change the tires. My husband asked him not to do that and the guy said doesn't matter only 3 levelers are coming down. One must be broke or stuck.

So he came home and said to me wow, didn't even use them yet and one is broke already, call the man we bought it from cause he said anything that went wrong in the first 60 days, he would take care of.

Ok, so I am looking at this sheet from Holiday Rambler that came with the HR case of books and instruction stuff. On this sheet it tells name of items, mfg, model and serial number for each item and it only listed 3 Powergear leveling Jacks.

So now I am wondering, does it only have 3 instead of 4???

Does anyone know the answer to this or where I can get the answer?

[RV Wizard]

Technically, it takes 3 points to define a plane. It is also virtually impossible to twist the coach frame with a three point leveling system. It is also less costly to manufacture and install a three point system over a four point. The only thing I do not like about the three point is the fact that the front jack has twice as much weight on the foot print which can cause it to sink sooner. The other is that the front of the coach is not as stable; it can sort of rock on the one jack, compared to two front jacks.

[H. Miller]

Appears the first place to go for answers is the "case of books" that came with the MH. Most all Monaco products use the 3 point system to prevent racking of the frame. On the "average" MH the front axle weighs 10K and in the Monaco system has one jack. The rear axle weighs 20k and has 2 jacks therefore all jacks average 10k lbs. load....
Front jack is used first (raise front a min. of 1/2 inch) then level fore and aft and left/right with rear jacks.
We are on our 6th reading of the inch and a quarter thick owners manual and always find something new.
PS - good operating practice says to never pick a wheel off the ground with the jack(s)

[Monacoach]

Quote:

So now I am wondering, does it only have 3 instead of 4???

This might sound a little obvious but why don't you look underneath your coach and count them?? If you have three jacks, the front one will be in the middle and will have a larger pad.
To answer your question>>> yes some have three some have 4... ours has three.

[2 Bichons]

Guess I don't have to Monocoach. I think you all just answered my question.
If it is a 3 point I guess there is suppose to be 2 in the back and it is the street rear side that there is none coming down when they were lowered. I guess 3 point are in a triangle, one front... 2 rear. But 2 came down in the front but only one rear on the curb side. Now to get someone to look at it and tell me why it doesn't want to come down!

H.Miller, we did confront the book first....very very little was in there about the leveling system. Referred to the sections in the box and no direction there either.
Thanks all

Edited to add...we too have read numerous times not to life the motorhome via the leveling jacks, thus why DH ask them not to do so.

[Cat320]

As noted, has to do with the GW of the front axle. Light means one, heavy means two.

[Crabby Mike]

Just my 2 cents, but -- you need to get a little dirty.

Even if you don't plan to work on your coach (and there's nothing wrong with that), you still need to have some idea what's going on inside, outside, over and (especially) under. Just get down on your hands and knees and look underneath from either side. Your front jack(s) will likely be just behind the front wheels, and even when retracted will sit slightly below the frame. The rears will be similar. Yes, absolutely have a dealer check out your hydraulic leveling system. And since the same hydraulics probably control your slides, you really want to be sure they're working correctly.

[2 Bichons]

Dh did go under the unit when he got home. I just had a TKR and can't do so.
The slides work fine, no problem, I have had them in and out.

Trying to find another person to check it out. The only guy I knew that does RV repairs here said he wanted $105.00 hour to check it out, minimum 1 hour. REALLY?

So I am going to call the few RV dealers here and find out if they do or can recommend someone.

[Triker56]

Not all MH's have Auto Hydraulic Levelers, some have manual levelers, some have electric 12V levelers, some have air bag levelers, some come with 3 jacks, some come with 4 jacks and some have NO levelers.

[Tha_Rooster]

And I believe they all say don't use leveling jacks as a jack to remove tires but people do it all the time.

[JimM68]

Your Holiday Rambler is a monaco product, mid sized and priced and will most likely have a 3 point powergear hydraulic jack system. 2 in the back, one in the front. Again, someone needs to just crawl under there and look.

[KIX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2 Bichons Dh did go under the unit when he got home. I just had a TKR and can't do so. The slides work fine, no problem, I have had them in and out. Trying to find another person to check it out. The only guy I knew that does RV repairs here said he wanted $105.00 hour to check it out, minimum 1 hour. REALLY? So I am going to call the few RV dealers here and find out if they do or can recommend someone.

REALLY!!!!!!! That's about right for a good shop mechanic in today's world.

[2 Bichons]

Well I fixed my hydraulic jack
Freakin $105.00 was an insanity and I fixed it after all.
I just let out my slide that is above it all the way and then brought it back in all the way and then the when I pushed the button for the jack. Wah Lah, it worked.
Asked the MECHANIC why this would be and his expert answer is.... WHO KNOWS!
I put my hand out to my husband and said that will be $105.00 please!!!!! and guess what?!?! He paid me it! lol (and I deserved it, because I am smart....LOL, LOL)

Edited to add: And I didn't even get dirty! hehehe (just got lucky)

[Monacoach]

If the jack sticks again have hubby go under and tap it with a hammer. ( that is only if your slide out solution doesn't work next time ) . If the hammer unsticks it, you can charge him another $105