HWH jacks how much trouble?

[melvonnar]

I just purchased a used 10 year old motorhome; I've had to replace two of the jacks (neither would retract properly.) this is my first motorhome with jacks; Question: is it normal to have trouble with these jacks? Are the worth the bother? If you have to keep repairing or replaceing them I can't see the advantage.
comments please.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Well, it is normal to have problems with 10 year systems and components. If two jacks are the only problem you find on a 10 year old coach, I'd say you are doing OK.

Don't know about HWH, but I've had two coaches with Power Gear jacks and no problems at all in 7 total years of use. Am into the fifth year on the Equalizer jacks on this coach and had to have a couple hydraulic valves replaced.

[GaryKD]

Hi robert h,
My coach is 3 1/2 years old. The HWH jacks have failed three times. Twice in the first year (under warranty) and the last time just recently (see my thread in this forum). I'm not sure the most recent problem is completely fixed; only time will tell. With a big, heavy coach and air suspension there is not much choice if you want the coach stable when parked. The pad next to my house is level so jacks are not needed. One can tell the difference in stability when we move around the coach with the jacks up versus with the jacks down. Even with the air dumped out of the bags the coach still has considerable movement when the jacks are up. This is just another appliance we need to deal with.

[melvonnar]

I've had motorhomes for over 25 years without jacks; traveled 100s of thousands of miles, when parked it was sometimes a job to get level useing boards.; bought this motorhome with jacks thinking that it might be easer getting parked. If I have to spend half my time repairing the jacks and never knowing when they will fail; it may not be worth the bother.

[melvonnar]

Question?
is it HWH that has all the problems? or do they all have problems?
Highdrolics have been around for years in construction equipment; I've been around highlifts, tractors, and etc, they never seem to fail even when abused; The biggest problem they seem to have is broken hoses. motorhome jacks looks to me should be a simple as it gets.

[FleetMan]

Robert. If you have not already done so, I'd recommend going on the HWH web site and download the manuals and instructions that apply to your system. Hydraulically, as you say, it is a pretty simple system. Electrical connections and electrically activated solenoids seem to cause many of the problems.

[melvonnar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FleetMan Robert. If you have not already done so, I'd recommend going on the HWH web site and download the manuals and instructions that apply to your system. Hydraulically, as you say, it is a pretty simple system. Electrical connections and electrically activated solenoids seem to cause many of the problems.

Thanks"
I have most of the instructions and repair manuals for my system;I've found HWH most helpful in trouble shooting their systems, what bothers me is the frequency of troubles with these jacks.

["007"]

I have found the jacks to be reliable in most times I have used them. Just had a leaky jacks down valve and binding jack piston that had to be changed, so overall would give a B+.
The Quick Tips link below has HWH info on first page for quick references.

[Gary RVRoamer]

We DO see a lot of complaints about HWH jacks here. Not so much about Power Gear, but some. Maybe HWH is a brand to avoid? But we don't get a choice when buying a motorhome - the manufacturer picked the brand of jacks...

[melvonnar]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Roamer [Gary] We DO see a lot of complaints about HWH jacks here. Not so much about Power Gear, but some. Maybe HWH is a brand to avoid? But we don't get a choice when buying a motorhome - the manufacturer picked the brand of jacks...

The motorhome builders are always looking for ways to cut costs; could be they are the lowest bidders.
On the other hand they have way more jacks on motorhomes than anyother MFG. therefor it stands to reason that they would have more failures. right? If a manufacture puts out a bad product they normaly don't stay in business long. HWH been around for awhile.

[LVJ58]

Our 2000 coach came with the Kwikee 2000 leveling jacks, had to replace the jack control with an updated unit in 2004. Coach now 9 years old and jacks have performed flawlessly with exception of the control replacement. Also, have never cleaned nor lubricated the rams and to date no seal leaks.

[hamdave]

My little coach has them also, and is now going on 14 yr's, Only problem is accumulated dirt which I spray off after each season and lubricate with Si grease before winterizing. I also changed the gear oil when I got it. The oil can get water in it after a few years by condensation if not kept sealed properly, and I didn't want to take a chance that it had when I bought the rig. I'm happy with them.

cheers

[rvten]

More manufacturers use HWH. (HWH on last 2 MH's) Had Power gear on one MH. They were ok. HWH support is much better. Also had a set of Big Foot. WHich were also good.

[MikeandClaudia]

Probably the reason you see mre "problems" with HWH is that they are the leading seller of jacking systems.

Our coach is 10 years old this year and like with me, "If you don't use it, you lose it!"

I have had a cuple of problems with the system. I call up the young lady in Iowa, she tells me what to do, I do it, and go on.

Mainly, I clean the rods periodically and don't get in a hurry when they are retracting. If I sit there waiting and watching while they are retracting, it takes forever.

If I go and do other stuff and come back, they are through and the unit is shut off. Magic!