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azSkier · 09-09-2015, 09:29 AM

Just had a recent trip to Fools Hollow Campground in Showlow, AZ. Pulled into a nice, flat concrete pad and started the leveling process. The Essex does its normal positioning until a loud whine comes from the front of the MH.

This noise is concerning, but there isn't much for me to do but endure. At some point the HWH shuts down and its all quiet. Upon inspection, I can see 3 jacks are down and the rear tires are nearly off the ground (left front jack is still up).

I am uncomfortable with putting out the slides without extended jacks. I don't have any internet access at this site, so I read the HWH manuals I have with me. No real help specific to this situation, so I decide to try again.

I store the jacks and get ready for travel. I then start the leveling process again. Same noisy process and same 3 extended jack result. But, this time, the excess slope indicator is lit.

I resign myself to the situation and extend only the slides that are supported by jacks (did not extend the front off-door slide).

Next day, I get internet service and do some reading. Think about calling for service... knowing this just may be a training call. But, the only HWH tech in the area is too busy. I got some WD40 and lubed all the jacks as best I could.

We did not have sewer hook ups, so after a few days we had to move. I pulled in the slides and stored the jacks. I wanted to try a different position on the pad, so I pulled to the very front and leveled the coach. Same result... but this time the HWH panel was unresponsive when I tried to store the jacks to travel.

I had done enough reading to learn about the "Manual lighted switch". I went to the fuse bay and sure enough, the dangling switch was glowing red. I pressed the switch and the HWH panel became functional.

Fearful that I was over working (over heating the HWH system), I wait 20 minutes and then stored the jacks. I visited the dump station, returned and leveled the coach again. 3 jacks down, pretty noisy process and the excess slope indicator is lit.

Got home a few days after that and leveled the coach in a flat, level parking lot. Everything worked fine. 4 jacks down with no excess noise.

Lessons learned... I think.
1. I have read elsewhere that it is not uncommon for the 4th jack to extend if the other 3 jacks cannot achieve level.
2. The excess noise may be caused by low fluids. I will check the fluids the next time I visit the coach.
3. the front jack are not extending evenly in time. I suspect this can also be caused by low fluids.
4. There is some kind of work duty cycle for the HWH system. Extending and retracting the jacks requires some kind of rest period. I think retracting, extending and the retracting the jacks caused the HWH to shutdown... requiring the manual reset.

Comments anyone?

steved44 · 09-14-2015, 11:19 AM

My guess would be that you are low on hydraulic fluid for your jack system, but that just a guess.

"007" · 09-14-2015, 12:27 PM

Good write up Skier and yes your fluid is low you can find all HWH info in
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/orig...ods-18509.html plus all slide info.

azSkier · 09-15-2015, 10:20 PM

I checked the HWH oil level and it is about 1/4 inch low.

I have been waiting 2 days now for HWH to call me back so I can place my order for a quart of oil. I also need a new breather cap as the threads are cross threaded.