Stabilizer Jacks

[shellronnie]

Hydraulic stabilizer system on a Solitude. First time to own a fithwheel with a hydraulic system does anyone use manual jacks to keep the hydraulic system from creeping down?

[huntindog]

Hydraulic stabilizer system on a Solitude. First time to own a fithwheel with a hydraulic system does anyone use manual jacks to keep the hydraulic system from creeping down?

Mine has never crept down. On soft surfaces, it may appear to, but it really is the jacks settling in the ground.

[Tom Traveler]

Hydraulic stabilizer system on a Solitude. First time to own a fithwheel with a hydraulic system does anyone use manual jacks to keep the hydraulic system from creeping down?

We've got a Solitude with the hydraulic system, purchased last November. It's been in storage over the winter in northern Idaho. The RV is sitting on the front landing gear on Rophor buckets (Amazon). I put jacks stands under the frame in front, with about a 1/2" gap, because I didn't know if the hydraulic system would creep done over the months, particularly in cold weather (below 0°F). I was also concerned about the Rophor buckets shattering in the cold.

It varied maybe 1/8" with the contraction and expansion of the hydraulic oil with changes in temperature (∆ 60°F). At 40°F it was back to exactly where it started three months earlier - 0 creep down - never touched the jack stands. I probably will always use the jack stands for peace of mind during seasonal storage, but otherwise not.

I will always use them if I'm changing a tire or underneath the RV with the tires off. If the tires are on, I put the leveling jacks down before going underneath. I like having two different support systems - chicken.

[Hoopy Frood]

Basically, if it creeps down, the system is faulty and needs to be repaired. There's a seal leaking somewhere, but IME that's a pretty rare occurrence. Spend your money elsewhere.

We had our last 5th wheel for over 10 years and never had any issues.

[Husker]

Basically, if it creeps down, the system is faulty and needs to be repaired. There's a seal leaking somewhere, but IME that's a pretty rare occurrence. Spend your money elsewhere.

We had our last 5th wheel for over 10 years and never had any issues.

I agree with Hoopy Frood. If the jacks retract at all on their own, they need to be fixed.

[Second Chance]

We've been in our current rig full-time for two years... never any "creeping down." The Lippert hydraulic systems are known for making popping sounds from a phenomenon called stiction. You can read about it here:

https://lci-support-doc.s3.amazonaws...cd_0002091.pdf

Rob