Community Forums

Rendon · 06-19-2021, 08:30 AM

Anyone out there talked to Paul Maddock lately? I have called him numerous times and have not been able to reach him and received no call back. I'm having serious issues with my hydraulic system. Had it working yesterday and now today nothing. This has happened twice now. I just don't know what to do other than try to get my slides in, Jacks are already up, and drive to Stuarts in Elkhardt, IN. And I'm in Mississippi and desperately need to get to PA to handle my brothers estate. I'm so stressed out and have already spent $2200.00. Anyone on here that can help me, I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
Peggy

PJStough · 06-19-2021, 09:27 AM

I am not sure if I can help but, perhaps with some more information others may be able to help. For starters what system do you have, 325 maybe?

When it was "working yesterday," does that mean that the jacks and slides both worked yesterday?

Also, what has already been done that cost $2200?

To me, when something works intermittently, the problem is usually a loose connection somewhere in the system.

Do you have the engine running when trying to bring the slides in?

Do you have the motorhome in park, and the park brake set?

Do you hear the motor on the pump running when trying to bring the slides in?

Have you called Stuart's to see if they can help?

Hope this helps you and others to try and solve the problem.

Best of luck.

Ray,IN · 06-19-2021, 07:22 PM

Paul was sick for a spell, not heard anything further though. I know he farms too and is quite busy through spring.

There is a procedure in your Winnebago owners manual for manual slide retraction. When new your MH came with a winch to slowly pull in the slide after opening the "Tee handle" on the solenoids for the slide room.
IF you don't have your owners manual, it may be downloaded from one of the Winnebago links in the sticky at the top of the Winnebago forum main page.

UPDATE: HWH has another manual retraction method involving a threaded rod, details here: https://www.irv2.com/forums/f54/how-...ue-506073.html

RottenRalph · 06-19-2021, 08:38 PM

I can't help you with Paul Maddock but you might try Happy Camper Service in Picayune, MS. They are well respected and recommended by many. Also try Hickory Truck and Auto in Pearl River, La.

Rendon · 06-20-2021, 09:03 AM

Thank you to all who replied. I have the 325 system. This is what was replaced.
Computer module board, switch in emergency brake, new pump motor that was defective, HWH Corp, not Stuarts, told me this is what I needed. However, there was nothing wrong with the old one thank God because the new one could not be grounded. Both pumps were able to spin when detached from the system, during installation it was found that the coupling was cracked so I ordered a new one, my guy installed it with the old motor and at first it didn't work and he said he had it tightened to hard so he loosened it and everything was working, the jacks and the slides. this was friday morning. Friday night I releveled some and I felt the jacks moving, I thought I was raising the front end of the MH only to go out saturday morning to discover the jacks were half way off the ground. I was pushing the arrow up button and rather than raising the motorhome, the jacks were storing instead. I managed to get them completely stored with no issues but when I tried to extend them, I had no power, My panel turned on but nothing would move, not jacks or slides. This happened several times before while they were working on the system. It seems that some of the wires come loose and was also shown that some of the celenoids are not looking very good or the wires attached to them. I've tried every which way to get power going, started the engine, hit the power boost button, brake is set, been working with Stuarts, and the pump motor clicks but will not activate the pump. I was told by HWH first that it was the pump motor, then they said it was the pump. They are about worthless and I won't deal with them ever again unless I have no choice. They're rude, They don't call you back but you all already know this!! lol! I do have my manual so I will have the slides pushed in manually if need be. I'm thinking maybe that coupling cracked again. But once my guy loosened it, everything worked. Idk what else to do. I will try Happy Campers, I found a guy who used to work on these systems who is supposed to call me tuesday night. What worries me is, someone will get it running again but if it stops on me while I'm trying to get to PA, I'm screwed. Won't know anyone and will prob get taken to the cleaners. After everything that has been done to try to fix this, I'm thinking I need to go to the expert, Stuarts. We already discussed me coming there. Its only 1100 miles from me!!! And I so need to be in PA like yesterday. This is so stressful. Any help or ideas will be greatly appreciated!

Ray,IN · 06-20-2021, 11:31 AM

Paul Maddox is alive and well, he just posted last Tuesday on rvforum.net

SomeDay · 06-20-2021, 11:53 AM

Can anyone recommend a good person/company that truly knows what they are doing to trouble shoot our Power Gear 2003 levelling jacks on the WEST side of the country. Canada would be awesome (but spent several hundred here and no joy), but prepared to wait till border opens to get repaired in the USA.

We tried and tried to troubleshoot ourselves = fuses, fluid levels, changing hoses around as advised, since failure in 2018 but it's beyond our capabilities.

Thanks folks and sure hope the OP finds a good resolution soon.

RKins · 06-20-2021, 03:29 PM

@Rendon - The first thing I would do is make sure you have a good ground on the pump system. Usually it gets it's ground from the mounting plate. Make sure it makes good contact and the bolts are really tight. The 2nd thing I would do is add an length of 8 or 6ga wire with ring connectors on each end and remove the end bolt of the motor (see pic) and put it through one end of the new wire and thread it back in place and tighten. Find a good place to ground this new wire to a frame point. Now if you lose the original ground, the new one will suffice. These are directions Paul gave me when he helped me with my new replacement system. No problem since.

Also check to see if you have a 40A fuse inline on the power wire coming into the pump system. If you find one (not all models have one) they are suspect to be blown. I replaced mine with a self resetting automotive CB in it's place.

azpete · 06-23-2021, 02:18 PM

hi guys, ive having some medical problems lately. kind of ongoing heart issues.
my cell is 602 549 3638. i will answer all calls as soon as possible.

please leave me a message, i dont call back on hangups.

twogypsies · 06-23-2021, 02:49 PM

Don't use the slides until you can get this resolved.

n2zon · 06-23-2021, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azpete

hi guys, ive having some medical problems lately. kind of ongoing heart issues.
my cell is 602 549 3638. i will answer all calls as soon as possible.

please leave me a message, i dont call back on hangups.

Paul, I am sorry to hear this, and wish you a speedy recovery.

Everyone else,

Paul's support is *far* above and beyond the call of duty. Everyone takes vacations, has phone problems form time to time, or gets sick once in a while. Just sayin'.