Leveling Jack pad missing

[vraesch]

A warning to other Entegra owners - After a 5000 mile maiden voyage I was dismayed when I found the the jack pad of the driver side front jack missing. It had not broken off. The large allen screw holding it on was missing and there was no other damage. It must have just vibrated itself loose. Entegra CS sent me a new plate and screw (Thanks Entegra). I had to run out and find a 1/2" allen wrench to install it. I decided to check the other jacks and found that 2 of the other 3 jacks were just barely tightened, only requiring minimal effort to continue tightening them for at least another 3/4 of a turn.

Obviously they were loose and if there was any thread locker applied at assembly, it had failed.

Do yourself a favor, buy a 1/2" allen wrench (it's larger than the allen wrenches in a normal set), then check your jack pad bolts - hopefully they won't be loose like mine.

Love to hear if others encounter this problem.

[Camp CA]

Is that Equalizer part # 1383 screw that is inserted into the center of the jack from the bottom per Entegra Lever manual https://eqsystems.us/wp-content/uplo...5-2022-EQ.pdf? I have SnapPads installed on them so that they will have to be removed to inspect and tighten.

[vraesch]

I'm not sure of the part #. Based on your response, I checked to see if the jack pad can spin when tightened. I found they do turn, but not that easily. I suspect that if the bolt is loose the pad would spin quite easily but I can't verify that.

[JLHoughton]

I had the same pad depart my coach as well. I found the holes to have grease in them and no sign of locktite. I cleaned each hole with brake clean applied locktite and snugged up with an impact gum. On my Cornerstone if the jacks are fully retracted there is a hard rubber collar that keeps then from flopping around. If slightly extended they do rotate and move around some.

[RVFunlovers]

Good info. Thanks for sharing.

I think I have a 1/2 Allen wrench. Odds are it will be at my house not with me in the coach.

One of my other RV friends lost the foot from his jack on a new Anthem.

Seems like this is more common than it should. Worth the crawl to check mine.

[jeff.herren]

Originally Posted by Camp CA

Is that Equalizer part # 1383 screw that is inserted into the center of the jack from the bottom per Entegra Lever manual https://eqsystems.us/wp-content/uplo...5-2022-EQ.pdf? I have SnapPads installed on them so that they will have to be removed to inspect and tighten.

Pretty sure the SnapPads have a hole in the center for both drainage and access to the bolt in question. I seem to remember a hole when I installed my SnapPads

[Camp CA]

Thanks for that reminder ...........and yes, the SnapPad has a hole in the center.........will inspect/tighten the jack foot screws once I can raise the motorhome high enough to climb under and inspect. Will also do the same on the trailer, albeit that will be easier to get access to the middle and rear jacks when stored but have to hitch the trailer up to inspect the front jacks. However in 18 years of towing a fifth wheel never had a pad come off.

[voltdoc]

Instead of trying to find a 1/2" Allen wrench, you could go to any hardware store and get a threaded rod coupling nut for under $2. If memory serves, a coupling nut for 3/8" threaded rod is 6 sided and will be 1/2" across the flats, or 1/2" outside diameter and wrench size.

Insert into the jack screw and use whatever kind of ratchet handle you have on hand with a 1/2" socket. Worked for me, you can also apply a lot more tourqe with the ratchet handle. Also works with a drill or impact driver.

The link is just for a visual, but you can find these most anywhere, I picked one up at ACE, at the time under $1.

https://www.boltdepot.com/Coupling_n...ted_steel.aspx

[brobox]

Great tip Rob, thank you, I am on it for my list of things to do. I have failed to check the pads on my 21.

[vraesch]

Being a novice poster I failed to mention that these are the jacks that come on Entegra Anthem motorhomes. I don't know if the same problem exists on 5th wheels, but it probably doesn't hurt to check.

Thanks to the poster for the tip on using a threaded rod connector nut instead of a harder to find 1/2" allen wrench. Would have saved me at least $10.00 had i known about this.

[Camp CA]

I checked my fifth wheel trailer jacks and their 5/8" - 18 x 1-1/2" hex bolts were torqued very securely. I also checked my motorhome Equalizer jack feet attached with with 3/8" hex female fastener (see attached photo) and found them very secure. Thanks to Rob..........I purchased a 3/8 in-16 Zinc Rod Coupling Nut from Lowes to attach to a 1/2" socket wrench to try and torque them as a check. At least I know know to periodically check the jack bolts for tightest.

[Camp CA]

Had to purchased a 1/2" allen wrench to check the Equalizer jack foot screw tightness. All were very tight. The recessed female hex screw that secures the jack foot to the hydraulic cylinder is somewhat difficult to get access to without jacking the rv up but got it done without that. Would have preferred a bolt with a nut head that would accept a socket that I could rachet with a torque wrench like the Lippert ones on my fifth wheel trailer.........they are easier to inspect and tighten, if required. I will have the jack foot screw periodically checked as a preventive maintenance item in the future.

[Steve 716]

The same thing happened to me several years ago. Spartan sent me a new pad and I checked that my other pads were tight. They were and I haven't had a problem since.

[Jimjensen]

I know this is an old thread but here is a reminder to check your levelers pad bolts. First long trip with the new CS with 2,800 miles and first time using levelers instead of air leveling. Definitely will be checking all other pad bolts tomorrow.

JimJ