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Hula Lula · 12-23-2015, 03:23 PM

Hi, I don't know what brand my hydraulic leveling jacks are, but I have a 2015 Itasca Sunstar 35F. This is our first RV with hydraulic leveling jacks. During our last trip we noticed a loud pooping sound and the RV would shudder. This was intermittent and mostly at night. Just one or two pops. It was hot during the day, cooler at night. When we got back I asked our dealer about this. Our dealer stated that this was a "normal" creeping condition due to temperature changes from a hot day to a cool night. Can anyone confirm this or is my dealer just telling me a story?

Dennis4809 · 12-23-2015, 03:49 PM

We spend 7-8 months a year in ours and haven't experienced what you describe.

jacwjames · 12-23-2015, 04:24 PM

Our rig had a time when one of the jacks would slowly collapse, over the course of a couple weeks you could see it.

We have Power Gear system, 3 jacks, one in the front and two in the back.

The main control block has pressure release screws so that you can retract the jacks if the pump goes out. Sometimes a piece of trash gets in the solenoid. When this happens they recommend releasing the pressure using the screw and it flushed the trash out of the valve.

After we did that no more problems, ours stays jacked up in the driveway for 2-4 months at a time in between use. The jacks keep it at level for extended periods of time in varying temps without a problem.

Bumps · 12-23-2015, 04:40 PM

I've never noticed mine move, either. Nor any popping. Our hydraulics are HWH. If yours are, too, I'd have them checked out. You might have a leak. /ken

dan-nickie · 12-23-2015, 04:47 PM

A group of our friends, including us have had the same thing on our 2011-2014 models.
So I would say it is normal/common.

Ours was a little low on fluid and adding some got rid of most of it.

Sweetbriar · 12-23-2015, 04:52 PM

Not sure about the dealer's explanation. Hydraulic oil is pretty stable stuff regarding thermal expansion and contraction. Along the lines of transmission fluid and probably is transmission oil. Plus with the system under the coach out of direct sun where the temperature swing isn't as great as something out in the open in direct sun light.

Try cycling the jacks to full extension and retraction a few times just to be sure there's no air bubbles in the system. With the jacks fully retracted check the oil level against what the jack manufacture recommends.

Concerning what brand you have the operators manual should be part of the stack of literature that came with the coach. Also the operators panel should have the brand name and maybe model/version.

Hula Lula · 12-23-2015, 05:02 PM

Thanks for everyone's input so far. Next time I get the chance, I think I will cycle the hydraulic levelers a couple of times then set it to level and see if the problem repeats. I understand there could be an internal leak some where I cant diagnose, but I am seeing no external leakage at all at this time.

spanuts · 12-23-2015, 05:15 PM

i have the same unit and yes it will do that

KEH · 12-23-2015, 05:33 PM

Mine will do the popping every now and then. It's due to my LR jack leaking fluid. I will be adding some Lucas stop leak to the reservoir and then cycling the jacks. This has worked for me in the past. Do you notice wetness on any of your jack pads?

alank · 12-23-2015, 05:43 PM

Sounds like one of the four valves does not seal up well and leaks just a little oil. You probably notice it at night because you're in the coach at a quieter time. During the day and being outside some, you may not notice.

Finding which valve leaks can be determined by taking an exact extension measurement of the jacks after you level the coach. Then after you have camped for a couple of days, take another measurement and see which one has shortened up some. Hopefully there will be just one.
Since you have one jack that collapses a bit, it will put a twist on your coach, so don't retract any slide until you extend the front two jacks slightly to relieve the twist on the chassis.
I have a 2015 Sunstar 36Y and they have a Lippert leveling system. Not the greatest in the world, but it's better than nothing. In my opinion, extending the front two jacks should always be the final step in leveling the coach.

Hula Lula · 12-23-2015, 05:50 PM

Hi All, I just found another blog talking about it on the Lippert hydraulic leveling systems. Seems to be a common problem, checkout:

https://www.heartlandowners.org/arch...p/t-30522.html

Heartland Owners Forum > HEARTLAND RVs GENERAL AREA > Exterior Components - For all Heartland brands > Frame / Landing, Leveling & Stabilizing Gear > Popping noise - I've had it checked by dealer

lanerd · 12-23-2015, 06:16 PM

I agree with alank (above), but have a more simple method of checking to see if one or more of the jacks are actually leaking down.

Use the levelers to level the mh. Take a "marks-a-lot" pen and crawl under the coach and make a line on the ram (silver part) of each jack about a 1/4" below the ram's housing. The next day, crawl back under and see if any of the markings have moved upwards or are actually back up into the ram housing.

I had a similar situation last year and turned out one of my solenoids was leaking fluid back into the reservoir. Replaced the solenoid and all was well again.

Good luck

Ron