HappiJac 'jumpy'... ?

[PeterInNH]

Hi,

Went thru the inspection of my 2025 28G and was really concerned about the HappiJac system. When lowering both the seats and bed from the top it all moved very smoothly. However, when the bed locked into place half way down and we continued lowering the bench seats it started bucking like a bronco. Didn't seem right.

I then found a demo video online (of a 2024 25G) and it showed the same behavior (but maybe not quite as extreme?) and the person on the video basically said not to worry 'they all do that'. That's also the message I got back from the dealer and their lead tech (which they said they got directly from GD).

So, is this really normal or should I be worried enough to not take delivery (this Saturday ! )?

Thanks !

Peter

 

[WhittleBurner]

It seems there are quite a few "they all do that" answers for several components. Like you I don't think that they are all like that and some items just need to be installed properly.

Do more digging and see if there is a fix, if not then they all do it LOL..
Not accepting delivery would be a personal choice, you could try to get it smoother before taking it though. Also an inspection by an RV inspector would help ease your mind and possibly find things you hadn't

 

[PeterInNH]

It seems there are quite a few "they all do that" answers for several components. Like you I don't think that they are all like that and some items just need to be installed properly.

Do more digging and see if there is a fix, if not then they all do it LOL..
Not accepting delivery would be a personal choice, you could try to get it smoother before taking it though. Also an inspection by an RV inspector would help ease your mind and possibly find things you hadn't

Hi,

Yeah, I did a fair bit of digging before I made this post. Didn't seem to be much out there but will keep looking.

I did have an RV Inspector - he did a pretty thorough job (other than the HappiJac we only found a few very minor issues) - and while he said it didn't seem right it *did* work. At this point if it all functions (up/down/etc) tomorrow then I'll most likely finish the deal and take it home. If it really becomes a problem then I'll deal with it via Warranty (and ensure it was marked down as a problem on delivery).

Thanks !

 

[poohbear]

I don't have the lower bench seats on our 2021 only the top bunk. It's smooth all the way down. I did however order the special brackets to lower the bunk to where the bench would normally be attached so it doesn't stop on way down.

 

[PeterInNH]

Quick followup...

When I went back for the pre-delivery walkthru the tech showed me what they had found out. The seats only do that 'jumping' when they are laid out flat - if you fold them back up against the walls they go down extremely smoothly (not even a hiccup). And, even if you leave them laid flat, if you do a couple of short stops and starts the problem is minimized noticeably.

The problem was not as noticeable as it was during my inspection so maybe they did an adjustment here or there.

Regardless, I think the design could be improved by including some kind of support underneath the seats that cross from one side of the 'frame' to the other. But, hey, what do I know ? lol

Thanks all !

 

[huntindog]

Quick followup...

When I went back for the pre-delivery walkthru the tech showed me what they had found out. The seats only do that 'jumping' when they are laid out flat - if you fold them back up against the walls they go down extremely smoothly (not even a hiccup). And, even if you leave them laid flat, if you do a couple of short stops and starts the problem is minimized noticeably.

The problem was not as noticeable as it was during my inspection so maybe they did an adjustment here or there.

Regardless, I think the design could be improved by including some kind of support underneath the seats that cross from one side of the 'frame' to the other. But, hey, what do I know ? lol

Thanks all !

Sounds to me like the timing is off, and the tension on the chains is not the same on each vertical rail

 

[JCR GD]

Mine did that. It's just a leverage oscillation that builds. The cure is to stop and let it settle and start again.