Dropping Rear Stabilizer

[Gpo1958]

While parking my fifth wheel, I fully retract the stabilizers and level the unit front-to-back with the landing gear. The last two times I've been to the unit (stored remotely) I've noticed that the rear passenger stabilizer is only halfway retracted. In each case the unit was sitting for about a month. It seems like there may be some issue with the hydraulics, but the fluid level is still good and I don't see any evidence of leakage on the ground. Anyone have any ideas as to what might be causing this? Thanks.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

It's possible the leak is in the cylinder itself, and allows the fluid to bypass the piston seal. This will not affect the fluid level, and won't show any external leak, but will allow the leg to move. You have just the front and rear hydraulic stabilizers?

 

[Gpo1958]

It's possible the leak is in the cylinder itself, and allows the fluid to bypass the piston seal. This will not affect the fluid level, and won't show any external leak, but will allow the leg to move. You have just the front and rear hydraulic stabilizers?

Front landing gear, center and rear stabilizers.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

So you have the autolevel system with hydraulic leveling legs? Not stabilizers?

 

[SGT ROC]

Just to clarify, I believe the middle and rear legs, along with the landing gear are levelers, NOT stabilizers. Do you have a leveling system on this model?

 

[SGT ROC]

So you have the autolevel system with hydraulic leveling legs? Not stabilizers?

Beat me to it...

 

[Gpo1958]

It's a Solitude. Yep, it's an all hydraulic auto leveling system. I consider the front the landing gear since it takes most of the weight. While the center and back jacks also level and take some weight, I still consider them stabilizers. But that's just me.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

It's a Solitude. Yep, it's an all hydraulic auto leveling system. I consider the front the landing gear since it takes most of the weight. While the center and back jacks also level and take some weight, I still consider them stabilizers. But that's just me.

I can see how you look at it, but sometimes it's best to use the normal nomenclature so everyone is on the same page. And since it is only the rear leveling leg, and the rear and middle legs work in pairs, that drifts down, my bet would be the interior piston seal is leaking off the pressure. At least that is where I would start looking. It could be the solenoid valve leaking at the pump distribution panel, but it seems like that would affect both middle and rear legs. That's what I think anyway, but could certainly be wrong. It wouldn't be the first time.

 

[RV2600RB]

OP, do you use the “retract all jacks” button after you hook up your trailer to fully raise the landing gear and any lagging rear and center jacks? That was my routine.
Rich

 

[Gpo1958]

OP, do you use the “retract all jacks” button after you hook up your trailer to fully raise the landing gear and any lagging rear and center jacks? That was my routine.
Rich

I retract the center and rear leveling legs, lift the front of the trailer far enough to get the truck under it and after being hitched I retract the landing gear. I've never used a "retract all jacks".

 

[RV2600RB]

I retract the center and rear leveling legs, lift the front of the trailer far enough to get the truck under it and after being hitched I retract the landing gear. I've never used a "retract all jacks".

Mine was the Lippert 6 point auto Level Up system. Yours might be different.
I would retract the rear and center jacks. Then hook up the trailer and retract the landing gear a few inches. Then use “retract all jacks”. That ensures all the jacks are in the fully raised position. It uses the hydraulic fluid level to determine that. Never had any issues.
Rich

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

If you confirmed that all the centre and rear legs were up and while you were gone, one dropped, you have a leak in the system. A seal is allowing fluid to move. As Senor Frood said probably in the cylinder that dropped.

 

[Gpo1958]

If you confirmed that all the centre and rear legs were up and while you were gone, one dropped, you have a leak in the system. A seal is allowing fluid to move. As Senor Frood said probably in the cylinder that dropped.

And my understanding is that the preferred method of repair is to replace the entire offending levelling jack.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

And my understanding is that the preferred method of repair is to replace the entire offending levelling jack.

The main reason for that is Lippert doesn't make repair parts available. Personally, if I had a cylinder leaking internally, I would talk to a local hydraulic shop to see about having the seal replaced. Lippert doesn't give those cylinders away.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

And my understanding is that the preferred method of repair is to replace the entire offending levelling jack.

I believe Lippert has a procedure for doing a leak test. I would do the test before buying any parts. I agree with Howard...again...a local shop could probably do a cost effective repair.

 

[coglesby]

You may have a hydac valve that is leaking by.

First check that the Allen screw on the end of the hydac valves are fully counter-clockwise. Don’t forget to check the slide valve as well and the landing gear valve which is on the top of one of the landing gear jacks. Then Individually disconnect the electrical plug on each hydac valve one at a time and try to exercise what that valve goes with. Nothing should move. If it does that valve is bypassing fluid when it should be closed. You can get a replacement from Amazon for about $125. You’ll need a 7/8” end wrench to change it out. Only change it with everything retracted, jacks and slides.

BTW, if things are moving it could be any of the valves leaking by. Don’t fool yourself like I did into thinking that the side that is drifting is the problem valve