Community Forums

Kyp J · 03-09-2009, 04:58 PM

Today, the first thing that happened was the front (center) jack failed to retract without putting a stack of blocks under it and dumping air to force it up. I was trying to get an early start to get a set of new tires. Not so early when I got done fighting the jack.

When I got back and tried to get re positioned at the RV park, I put the blocks in place (extras in front for the next time I have to force it back) and before dumping the air, I extended the living room slide. The front jumped up and maybe something happened at the back but I am not sure. After getting the slide out (also funny noises involved in that) I allowed the air dump to force the front jack back up but with every attempt to extend a rear jack on either side, the front would extend. Finally I held the front switch in the retract position while extending the other jacks and got it more or less level. I think the rear jacks were barely able to raise the coach with the front retract dropping the pressure.

I am thinking the valve for the front must be stuck open and is allowing any system pressure thru. The question then is: What can I do to remedy this? The switch panel has "RVA Co." on it. I know where the hyd. reservoir is and that there are a bunch of electrical valves attached on or near it. There appears to be a lot of cut and spliced wires in that area so apparently there have been problems in the past.

Are these things commonly available, is there a lot of "bleeding" (of air) involved to work on this stuff and is this a common problem? This is my first "levelable" RV.

Edit: I googled the system and found some possible answers so don't get too involved in troubleshooting for me yet. I will re visit this if I discover any good answers.

"007" · 03-10-2009, 08:17 PM

Kyp J, what maybe happening to your jack is the "O" rings have twisted and are binding the piston from retracting. You can remove the jack and bring it someplace to be fixed but cost maybe as much as a new one. The Google ads to your right has all types of jacks for replacement.
You can call them to match with your system or you may find what you need on their site. I had same problem with jack and they sent replacement.
If its a HWH system you can call them and they will send one to you. You may get credit on returned one. My jack cost $325 with shipping.

Kyp J · 03-11-2009, 08:54 AM

If you mean O rings in the actual jack, I don't think it would cause the jack to extend when any other piston is activated. It seems to be a valve problem involving dirt or something keeping the control valves partially open. I have looked at the valves and found the instructions to remove and clean them from the manufacturer (Not HWH). When it warms up again I will try a "remove and service" on that set of valves. If it is not too hard to do I will clean the others as well. I am wondering if I have some contamination in the fluid reservoir.

"007" · 03-11-2009, 02:35 PM

Do you know what system you have ?

Kyp J · 03-11-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "007"

Do you know what system you have ?

RVA Co.

"007" · 03-11-2009, 04:58 PM

You are using the trouble section of http://www.rvajacks.com/ to help yourself ??

Kyp J · 03-11-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by "007"

You are using the trouble section of http://www.rvajacks.com/ to help yourself ??

Yes. If I had thought to look there first I wouldn't have posted the question. Sometimes I give up too easily. They even offered to have the owner call me but I have to try some hands on before I need more assistance. I think I can reach the valves up in the bowels of the coach.

John-D · 03-11-2009, 06:08 PM

I think sir original poster that you are wise and have figured it out already.

The valve is open.. Though normally that would not prevent retraction

(in fact it would encourage it)

Kyp J · 03-11-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John-D

I think sir original poster that you are wise and have figured it out already.

The valve is open.. Though normally that would not prevent retraction

(in fact it would encourage it)

That aspect has bothered me a bit. It maintains it's extended position without pump pressure so with the valve open, I don't quite get that. I was hoping there was some sort of check valve arrangement that might explain that, or maybe some form of feed back in the manifold relating to the retract valve that might explain it. In any case, I was going to remove both valves (one at a time) clean them and then see what happens. If damaged "O" rings or seals are present, I guess I will order parts.

Kyp J · 03-17-2009, 06:33 AM

Now that it has warmed up for a few days, I have had a chance to play with the valves. If I had talked to the owner (?) of RVA, I could have skipped some trouble shooting moves trying to figure out the problem.

The extend valve is broken internally and causes a condition that would be equivalent to being energized all the time (I could take it out and bang it on the picnic table to make it reset until electrically energized once) and the way the fluid is routed in the manifold causes a blockage in the return path for retraction while in that position. This causes what appears to be 2 problems for just the one bad part.

What bugs me after learning all this is that the original builder/designer of the Beaver decided to put in a system designed for a 22,500 lb. chassis but the Beaver is a 32,000 lb. GVW coach. The specs on the system parts claim to be barely capable of the load at their maximum capacity but not if the return springs, age and some other variables are considered for longevity. Apparently even Beaver that was considered a "quality" coach tried to be just good enough to make it thru the warranty period.