Community Forums

StephenW · 10-08-2015, 07:54 AM

The DW is now back to buying a MH instead of a TT and now that I just sold our sailboat and retiring next month, the pressure is on!

Trying to avoid known problem issues and from what I have read in the forums and slide mechanisms and leveling jacks brands vary in reliability a lot.

So far, it seems that HWH is the one of the best levelers with many Atwood and Power Gear owners complaining about design and quality issues.

Swinteck slide mechanisms seem to have their share of problems, too.

Any recommendations or brands to avoid would sure be appreciated. So this does not get sidetracked, I am aware that tires may need replacing, intend to buy directly from the owner, prefer a solid roof and am pretty good at mechanical repairs and maintenance. Don't mind getting my hands dirty, but would hate to not be able to get repair parts, obsolete, etc.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Cat320 · 10-08-2015, 12:57 PM

Most RV stuff is like Chevy/Ford...HWH/Power Gear, Norcold/Dometic, Cummins/Cat, etc. You'll hear good and bad stories from everybody about everything. Find the floor plan the D/W likes.

Gary RVRoamer · 10-08-2015, 01:28 PM

I'm not aware of any quality issues with Power Gear. They are one of the most widely installed hydraulic jack systems, so not surprising you see people mention them, but most problems are simply lack of maintenance or fluid. Equalizer builds a good system as well.

For slides I like Power Gear rack & pinion as well.

Avoid the cheap electric jacks that were all problematic. Stick with hydraulic.

Melmoses · 10-08-2015, 02:02 PM

Avoid Atwood jacks. I have both HWH jacks and slides currently on 6 year old mh. Very reliable for me. I had Power Gear jacks and slides on previous 5 year old mh. No failures or problems. Never had Swintek and won't.

ChasA · 10-08-2015, 04:13 PM

I have had 2 coaches. The first had Kwikee hydraulic jacks and electric worm-screw slides. Never a problem with either. My current coach has Power Gear hydraulic jacks and Power Gear electric rack and pinion slides (worm screw for the bed). No problem with those either.

FIRE UP · 10-09-2015, 12:02 AM

Well Sir,
This might make picking out a motor home, a bit on the hard side, as if it ain't hard enough already. But, to choose a coach or, stay away from a coach, due to what kind of levelers and slide it has, sure seems like it will be limiting your choices.

About 99.999% of the folks out looking for a motor home, choose what they like in floor plans, class A, Class C, Gas, Diesel, Pusher/puller, and a whole lot more. You can get a bit older one but, at the same time, a bit of a higher end one too. Or, if you're the kind that likes new or, newer, based on your budget, you get limited in what you can choose.

I don't blame you for looking ahead in terms of, potential issues with those systems you're talking about but, again, you may be limiting yourself or, loosing out on a great floor plan or coach because it has "questionable" levelers and or slide mechanisms. Good luck.
Scott

Mr_D · 10-09-2015, 12:09 AM

We've had HWH levelers on every MH we've had that had levelers and never a problem with any of them, not even after 13 years with the last one.
Now have HWH air leveling and slides, no problems with them either.
We did have problems with one slide on our 2002 Dutch Star, but that was caused by a dealer adding a support and it caught on the carpet.