slide out/landing gear problem

[DeanT]

Hi, I am new to the 5th wheel world and I am pretty green.

I have a 2001 cardinal 28' rig and I am having a problem with the hydrualic slide out system (dewald) and the electric leveling system (attwood) I have only used it a few times but it has been having this problem since I got the trailer about a month ago. It started out by the slide out would only go out a little bit at a time then stop. Then I noticed the leveling would do the same (only when raising) now both systems have quit completely. I had to hand pump the slide outs in and jimmyrig the trailer on and off the truck because I did not realize I could manually crank the leveling jacks.

[K-Star]

DeanT

Welcome to iRV2.com. Hang in there as I am sure someone will be along with advice. In the meantime we all hope you continue to visit with us and share your experiences.

[Ray,IN]

First, have your on-board battery's condition checked. Remove every battery connection and clean them; be sure to re-connect correctly; this includes connections at the hyd pump motor. Low battery voltage, and/or corroded connections will cause one to pull hair and gnash teeth! Did I mention I hate electrical problems? :(

[yogi154]

Dean,
Welcome to IRV2 You might want to check the Ground connection you may pull it off and clean up the frame mount ( wire brush ) Look at the cables if they look corroded change the cables.
Like Ray said check all connections and make sure they are tight. Try to run the system and feel the cables if they are warm or hot that would be the problem. The connections may be loose or corroded there.
Hope I didn't mix you up too much
Wayne

[DeanT]

It is a brand new battery and I have 2 the problem also happened while I was hooked up to 30 amps. All connections that I could find were tight and did not look corroded. I will try feeling the cables for heat and wire brush the ground ASAP though. Thanks for your input so far. I also overfilled the hydraulic fluid thinking it was low when the slides were out.

[450Donn]

Slide out mechanism is hydraulic, and the landing hear is electric. Only common thread is 12VDC. You definitely have a 12 volt DC issue. Try connecting the hydraulic motor using a pair of jumper cables directly to another battery and see if they move in/out. If they do, then it is obvious where the problem is. Both circuits utilize resettable circuit breakers. The reset button is not readily apparent on the can. Check to be sure none have tripped. BT,DT. Best friend you will have now is a volt meter. If you don't have one a good quality one can be purchased for no more than 50 dollars. Buy one and learn how it works.

[DeanT]

Well now I know the hydraulic system still works if I hook the battery directly to it. Thank you. Now I found that after the battery it goes to what looks to be a dual fuse with two posts per fuse. Not your typical fuse I removed the one that goes to the hydraulic system as well as the levelling system it is grey plastic 1 1/4" long x 3/4" wide x 5/8" deep and reads SHORTSTOP 24VDC G24 50A I have taken the cover off but I have no idea how to tell if the fuse I assume 50 amp is blown. Any input would be great.

Thanks,

[yogi154]

Dean Try a Combo voltage ohm meter hook back in to the system to read 12 volts or read across the poles with the ohm meter. I will go out and check my Cardinal for other places to check.

[yogi154]

Dean
I just looked at mine . Does your pump have an aux switch at the base of the pump, remote on off switch ??? My Cardinal has two breakers tied together for the pump and one by it's self for the front lift. If you still have the stuff together you can check for 12 volt D/C power on both sides of each breaker. The bottom side is hot off the battery. The top side is running thru the breaker. Both breakers must read thru ( voltage ) on both sides. You could use a 12 volt test light if you don't have a meter. I think if one breaker is open I would change all three.

Hope this helps
Wayne

[DeanT]

I am pretty sure I don't have an on off switch at the base, I do have a in out switch at the base. My pump is the long cylinder dewald I have attached scans from dewalds web site (powergear)

[wa8yxm]

The fact that BOTH systems are failing, suggests something. but first a question: Do they both use the same pump or are there two different pumps?

If the same. disregard this post

If different.. I would suspect the battery first, hook a digital voltmeter to the battery and measure it's voltage, if the battery has lost capacity it may not have the 'oomph' to drive the pumps. Plugging in to shore power may assist, a nice pair of U-2200 Interstate's or equal in series should fix it.

IF the batteries are still showing 12+ volts under load move the meter to the system power lead. (You measure this at two points, the pump and the control board 12 volt lead)

For this test you want the black lead hooked to the control board's ground wire or test point, not to the chassis

IF you see a big voltage drop then you trace for a bad connection

I have had cars that refused to start and when I touched a damp finger to a battery terminal it sizzled... Cleaned the terminal and.. VAROOM.

[DeanT]

I think I might have the same two breakers tied together (I thaught they were fuses) but I didn't see a third. I have removed the one breaker trying to see if it was blown, I guess I will have to re install it and see if I can get 12volt readings. I don't think I will be able to get to this until tomorrow night.

Thanks for your help.

[DeanT]

Batteries are brand new and good voltage, all connections and terminals are clean.

[450Donn]

Dean, what part of the country are you in? Maybe someone here with a little more electrical experience would be willing to come help you out.
I would, but as I am unemployed right now, you could not afford my rates. LOL