HWH power jacks

[stearn]

I am so discussed with the HWH system! I just had the two front jacks replaced less than two years ago. I was told to work the jacks at least every 60 days -- I have. Getting ready for next adventure I find the pass side front jack leaking and not holding! The maintenance has been on going since purchase 2008 when it only had 10K. I wonder if its just a fluke or---- are more of my fellow rvers having similar problems?? So discussed , hoping to be ready for vacation without worrying about leveling the coach.

[Steve N Sal]

Sorry to read of your problems. We've had problems from time to time as well. Whenever we've had problems I've always dealt with RV Leveling Systems in Indiana. Give Chuck a call, he's a great guy and is always helpful. He has always had the parts in stock and he is an HWH service center. There number is 800 826-6267.

[stearn]

Originally Posted by Steve N Sal

Sorry to read of your problems. We've had problems from time to time as well. Whenever we've had problems I've always dealt with RV Leveling Systems in Indiana. Give Chuck a call, he's a great guy and is always helpful. He has always had the parts in stock and he is an HWH service center. There number is 800 826-6267.

Thanks I will keep your info, for future use. For now I am scheduled with the folks that I trust locally . I am just frustrated that every time I try to leave enough time before heading out it seems most problems are the leveling system !!!! In my little world I would think that HYD cylinders would last more than a year! I just hope they are improving the system. For the cost maintenance should be minimal!!!!

[azpete]

sent you a pm

[gemini5362]

I have the original HWH jacks on my ten year old coach. I had one replaced because it would drag going up and sometimes it would stick. I have not had any leaks at all.

Just curious what kind of maintenance you do on your jacks. Or if you park somewhere that there is a lot of dirt and particles get on them. There is nothing magic about the jacks they are just a normal hydraulic cylinder that is single action. If you are getting leaks at the jack then only a few reasons for it.

1. Foreign particles on the jacks that are causing the seals to be cut when jack is returned to stow

2. Someone working on jack using wrong parts or substandard parts

3. Jack not made to take weight of coach although that would I believe show itself when the seal weakened to the point that it just blew out and your coach went crashing down on the suspension

Did you call HWH directly and explain your problems to them ?

[peggwn]

Hi, folks.
We have HWH jacks as well. I have been exploring the underside of the RV and have noticed some accumulation of grease/fluid in the area of one of the jack cylinders. I also have an issue with the cross-member between the front two jacks being bent. I called HWH Tuesday morning and got put on a call-back list; evidently their preferred form of communication. I called back midday Wednesday to check to see if I missed the return call. I was told I was still on the list to be called back. I have called again today to check on my progress on that list and was told I am still on it. WooHoo!!
So now I shall ask all of you a question. Is there a place in the Fort Worth/Dallas area that repairs HWH jacks?
Thanks.

[HicksRA]

Originally Posted by peggwn

Hi, folks.
We have HWH jacks as well. I have been exploring the underside of the RV and have noticed some accumulation of grease/fluid in the area of one of the jack cylinders. I also have an issue with the cross-member between the front two jacks being bent. I called HWH Tuesday morning and got put on a call-back list; evidently their preferred form of communication. I called back midday Wednesday to check to see if I missed the return call. I was told I was still on the list to be called back. I have called again today to check on my progress on that list and was told I am still on it. WooHoo!!
So now I shall ask all of you a question. Is there a place in the Fort Worth/Dallas area that repairs HWH jacks?
Thanks.

You might give this place a call in Fort Worth. They do a lot of work on motorhome chassis systems:
Commercial Truck Dealership: Isuzu - Hino - Autocar - GMC

[stearn]

Originally Posted by gemini5362

I have the original HWH jacks on my ten year old coach. I had one replaced because it would drag going up and sometimes it would stick. I have not had any leaks at all.

Just curious what kind of maintenance you do on your jacks. Or if you park somewhere that there is a lot of dirt and particles get on them. There is nothing magic about the jacks they are just a normal hydraulic cylinder that is single action. If you are getting leaks at the jack then only a few reasons for it.

1. Foreign particles on the jacks that are causing the seals to be cut when jack is returned to stow

2. Someone working on jack using wrong parts or substandard parts

3. Jack not made to take weight of coach although that would I believe show itself when the seal weakened to the point that it just blew out and your coach went crashing down on the suspension

Did you call HWH directly and explain your problems to them ?

Most of the use since the new jacks were installed was used to stabilize the coach, most times were on a concrete slab, while wintering in Florida. The other times on gravel in northern Mi. The jacks are automatic, and I never let the jacks raise to the point where the tires are raised off the ground. While spending 4 months at one place, I retract ,and reset once a month. This winter we had to return home last January. Maybe the road salt could have helped it along? Only used them once when stopped overnight in Kentucky.It was stored in a barn from late Jan. to just a week ago. The jacks were retracted while in storage.
It is now back to the rv shop. The jack needs to be replaced, now the problem is getting one HWH says two weeks before they will have one. Plan was to start vacation July 23rd. Hoping the time frame will be less than 2 wks.

[HicksRA]

Try Stuarts. They probably have one in stock and can send immediately.
HWH Replacement Parts - Stuart's Services

[azpete]

peggwn, try blue moon rv service. i know those guys do good service.
if you need help with diagnostics, i can help. my cell# is 1-602-549-3638.
my cell is on all the time.
i work for hwh, as a technical sales rep, and work mostly with mfg and dealers with problems or new installations.

[TsuSM70]

Have had continuing problems with my hwh system. I, like you, get anxious when engaging the system or retracting. Is it going to work this time. Just returned from two week trip. Had two rear jacks replaced with selinoids prior to leaving. Used the system to move the slide six times and the levelers three. At our last stop, no engagement of the system at all. Really feeling frustrated that I have spent a pile of money and still have no real confidence that the system will work. In the two years I have owned the coach, I have had to have repair just about every time I have used the coach.

[gemini5362]

Originally Posted by stearn

Most of the use since the new jacks were installed was used to stabilize the coach, most times were on a concrete slab, while wintering in Florida. The other times on gravel in northern Mi. The jacks are automatic, and I never let the jacks raise to the point where the tires are raised off the ground. While spending 4 months at one place, I retract ,and reset once a month. This winter we had to return home last January. Maybe the road salt could have helped it along? Only used them once when stopped overnight in Kentucky.It was stored in a barn from late Jan. to just a week ago. The jacks were retracted while in storage.
It is now back to the rv shop. The jack needs to be replaced, now the problem is getting one HWH says two weeks before they will have one. Plan was to start vacation July 23rd. Hoping the time frame will be less than 2 wks.

Your usage of them does not seem much different than mine. I have not had mine in salt covered roads but one time doing that I would not have thought would be a problem. I have seen some posts where posters talk about taking silicone spray and spraying it up into the area at the top of the jack. I tried that and was amazed at the amount of dirt that came out. If you do not have to return the old jacks take one of them to a hydraulic cylinder repair shop. The jacks can be repaired at a hydraulic repair shop much cheaper than buying a new jack. In your instance I would take it to a shop and have them take it apart and evaluate what was wrong with it and why the premature failure. You can then have them rebuild it and keep it for a spare. I cannot imagine that your use of the jack like you described would be a problem I did notice one of the posters in your thread worked for HWH and was brave enough to post his cell phone number. You should call him and have him talk with one of the engineers at HWH to get an answer for you.

I just realized you were wintering in florida for 4 months. You were not by any chance near enough for spray from the ocean to get on your coach were you ?

[SeattlePirat]

Originally Posted by TsuSM70

Have had continuing problems with my hwh system. I, like you, get anxious when engaging the system or retracting. Is it going to work this time. Just returned from two week trip. Had two rear jacks replaced with selinoids prior to leaving. Used the system to move the slide six times and the levelers three. At our last stop, no engagement of the system at all. Really feeling frustrated that I have spent a pile of money and still have no real confidence that the system will work. In the two years I have owned the coach, I have had to have repair just about every time I have used the coach.

I will say this, any time I have work done, whether to fix a problem or prevent a problem, I spend a pile of money. Welcome to the club.

[azpete]

if you are continually having problems with your system,be it leveling, electrical, or any other, and you take it to have it fixed, and it fails all the time, maybe you should consider another repair shop.
none of these systems are rocket science. if you are mechanically inclined, and if you have a volt meter, and a good service manual, even the occasional adventurer can do a diagnosis on the problem, order the part online and replace it.
most new service manuals are very helpful, and clearly written, IF you take the time to read it. often, browsing thru a manual will give the wrong conclusion if taken out of context.
while i know its hard to contact some manufacturers (hwh included.) it is helpful to have read the service manual. you should have also done at least some testing before calling. like knowing where your pump is.
they can also be very helpful but only if you have done your share too.
as always, i work for hwh, my cell is 602-549-3638, and i welcome your call anytime.
paul maddox