Community Forums

200833TE · 08-29-2014, 07:27 AM

This is somewhat long and confusing. When hooking up to tow our 2008 33TKE Limited the Front Landing Gear “sometimes” would not retract until I extended it an inch or two. Then when it did retract it would “sometimes” extend while towing, but just a few inches. When I would completely cycle it, “sometimes” it would stay in a retracted position, but not always. This condition continued to get worse (things never get better do they?) and finally got to a point that it would not stay in a retracted position. It would extend without any input.

While in AZ a RV repair facility found the Front Landing Gear “solenoid-valve” was leaking (internally) and replaced it. All was well for a few cycles, but now the LG is extending and will not stay retracted. When I release the retract switch it immediately extends to the ground. I “pined” the jack in a retracted position in order to continue to my destination in MO. On arrival I found the pin (a ¼ inch stainless steel shoulder bolt) bent into a horseshoe shape. This indicates considerable hydraulic pressure on the “extend” side of the hydraulic ram.

I have checked for stray voltage at the solenoid and found none, all fittings are tight and locked with the jam nut, there are no visible leaks at any fittings, on lines, or on or around the cylinder, manifold, pump or reservoir, there is adequate fluid in the reservoir.

Looks to me like the “solenoid – valve” needs to be replaced again – any other suggestions? Has anyone had such a problem? I wonder if something is causing the leaking problem other than a bad valve.

chief02 · 08-29-2014, 07:34 AM

Its most likely a Lippert system. Call Lippert for some troubleshooting suggestions. Some early hydraulic systems were trouble. Rockin Tom will jump in soon..I think he had a few early units.

rockintom · 08-29-2014, 08:18 AM

I agree with Chief. Based on the info you gave us here, I suspect you have a solenoid(s) with some trash in the valve. That seemed to be an issue on early models. I had something similar happen and I got on the internet and got a pdf file, I think from Lippert and figured out which solenoid serviced the area that I was having problem with. I then, turned the Allen headed screw (I think 5/32") in the end of the solenoid clockwise to unseat the valve in the end of solenoid and run the pump back and forth several times. This flushes the pintle area of the solenoid (hoping to flush any debris out of that area). Then reseat the screw (turned counter clock wise to close).

You may want to search this (Excel) forum for more info as there was some info on this issue back a few months. HTHs rockin' Let us know how this turns out.