Community Forums

expedition1 · 09-15-2013, 06:38 PM

One of my rear leveling jacks slipped off the blocks it was sitting on due to soft ground. The end result was a bent pad at the bottom and the mounting bracket that is welded to the ram is now also bent a bit.

Could anyone tell me what the replacement cost would be on replacing the entire ram? The brand is Power Gear and it is mounted on a 35ft Expediton.

All jacks are operating normally but I am considering replacing the damaged unit over the winter if the cost is not to high. Thanks in advance.

whodoc · 09-15-2013, 08:55 PM

I bent the jack pad(. The round pad that contacts the ground). After living with it bent up for a year a little light bulb went off over my head. Put the jacks down until it contacted the cement. Got my 12 ton bottle jack, put the bottom on the bent pad, the top of the jack against the frame. A little
Jacking and it was almost like new!

expedition1 · 09-16-2013, 04:11 AM

Thats a great idea!!! I was thinking something along those lines to straighten the verical alingment on the ram itself. Thanks!!!!!

gripper · 09-16-2013, 11:38 AM

I had to replace two (at different times) jacks, a couple of years ago. They cost about $800 - $900 each. One, I ordered shipped to my house and, of course, had to pay shipping. However, I understand that the Power Gear company will not deal with individual buyers now (only dealers). The other, I ordered through Lazy Days dealer, here in Tampa and picked it up there.

gripper · 09-16-2013, 12:00 PM

You didn't elaborate how the coach "slipped" off the jacks, but if you had lowered them before you dumped your air, it's very possible that the coach moved slightly forward as it settled, thus causing the slipping. I don't mean to imply that you did that, just offering a suggestion of prevention, in the future. "Always dump your air first", but don't dump, after you lower your jacks"! Ask me how I know!

jtermini30 · 09-16-2013, 12:49 PM

I had a similar post earlier this summer regarding my pad catching the edge of the concrete pad and bending. I had a few recommendations, however, the bottle jack is a fantastic idea.

My local repair shop noticed it when I was in for a awning issue but said they were going to have to take the entire jack apart including the fluid. I didn't feel to good about the solution and said I would live with it for now. I'm going to take a shot at the bottle jack!

I love this forum.

Fred Cooper · 09-22-2013, 06:49 AM

WHODOC

Thanks for the tip on using the bottle jack. Apparently, there are many of us with bent jack pads who did not think of using the bottle jack to straighten the pad.

Fred

whodoc · 09-23-2013, 05:18 PM

Only took me over a year to think of it!
Those that have tried it, how did it work out?

expedition1 · 09-24-2013, 09:30 AM

Tried the bottle jack idea this past weekend. It was so easy to bring it back to its orginal shape it made me laugh. Again, what a great idea, Thanks!!!