Community Forums

gtcoatie · 08-02-2008, 06:59 PM

I have had my '06 39S for a week and we are loving it. Changed the oil in the enginer and the generator today, as well as completed the in-motion satellite installation. I had to drive to town to get a signal (too many trees at my house ). Leveled the coach and got it set and was ready to head home. When I went to retract all, the passenger rear jack did NOT retract. Wouldn't you know it, about that time, a thunder storm blew in.

I tried the emergency retract and was trying to do the manual retract ( I did not get a manual and the tip sheet on the PowerGear site I found was not very helpful ). I crawled under the coach and noticed what I thought was a small rock lodged in the cylinder keeping it from retracting ( I also had a LOT of fluid pouring from the cylinder, and a cap screw on the baseplate ). I let the jack back down some and found a burr on the cylinder. Somehow, something in the jack had caused a channel to be cut in the cylinder with a burr abaout 4 inches from the bottom. The cylinder would retract to that point, but no further. I got it removed and the jack retracted. I had to drive home with the alarm going off because the fluid level was low.

Anyone had an experience like this? I had some issues with HWH on my '05 Adventurer and they were GREAT to work with. Will I get any help when I contact PowerGear on Monday, or will I have to buy a new jack? Any help would be appreciated

gtcoatie · 08-02-2008, 06:59 PM

I have had my '06 39S for a week and we are loving it. Changed the oil in the enginer and the generator today, as well as completed the in-motion satellite installation. I had to drive to town to get a signal (too many trees at my house ). Leveled the coach and got it set and was ready to head home. When I went to retract all, the passenger rear jack did NOT retract. Wouldn't you know it, about that time, a thunder storm blew in.

I tried the emergency retract and was trying to do the manual retract ( I did not get a manual and the tip sheet on the PowerGear site I found was not very helpful ). I crawled under the coach and noticed what I thought was a small rock lodged in the cylinder keeping it from retracting ( I also had a LOT of fluid pouring from the cylinder, and a cap screw on the baseplate ). I let the jack back down some and found a burr on the cylinder. Somehow, something in the jack had caused a channel to be cut in the cylinder with a burr abaout 4 inches from the bottom. The cylinder would retract to that point, but no further. I got it removed and the jack retracted. I had to drive home with the alarm going off because the fluid level was low.

Anyone had an experience like this? I had some issues with HWH on my '05 Adventurer and they were GREAT to work with. Will I get any help when I contact PowerGear on Monday, or will I have to buy a new jack? Any help would be appreciated

buck62 · 08-03-2008, 07:52 AM

Never heard of a rock putting a groove in the leveler cylinder arm. I guess anything is possible. Sounds like hydraulic oil is now leaking past the seal at the groove. If the groove is not very deep can it be removed by polishing? The sharp "burr" may have also cut the seal allowing it too leak. Power Gear will sell you a new jack or I believe you can send the individual jack in to have it rebuilt. I have Power Gear levelers and their technical support is not wonderful. They can supply replacement parts and always recommend that you go your dealer for problems since they do not have a service center. When I got my coach new I did not think the automatic levelers were set level and it seem that one side was a little off level. I called Power Gear and they steered me to their web site for instructions on how to reset the zero point on the levelers. The instructions were good and not complicated. Just make sure you have the correct part number and revision number found on your keypad.

joneldbrat · 08-13-2008, 12:39 PM

Posted August 13, 2008 03:37 PM
I had problems with my levelers on my 96 Pace Arrow. I have found that after making several calls. It all depends on WHO answers the phone. The one that was the most users friendly and very knowledgeable was Rex. He was willing to give things to try to find the problem like check voltages at certain places. But they do not do any of the Service. You will have to take it to a dealer who can work through Power Gear. I ended up replacing the power unit in 2007. And then this year the control unit went bad. The good thing was both times I had Good Sam's Maintenance. So all I paid was the deductible both times. The other thing was the new unit is fully automatic. I printed the full manual for mine off there Web Site. You have probably called already. Let us know how you made out. Good Luck

Bob (WA0MQE) · 08-15-2008, 05:21 AM

I've had some problems with my PowerGear jacks not wanting to retract. In my case though its been after retracting sometimes one or more will still be hanging down one or two inches. It doesn't prevent me from driving because this puts them high enough not to drag on anything. In most cases when this happens I can manually extend them and then spray silicon on them and they seem to be okay after that.

I've heard PowerGear makes a stronger spring that can be replaced, but I haven't contacted them about it. They do have a lot of information on their web site, including details when you need to rebuild a jack that's been leaking as your's is doing.