Fifth wheel owners. We are experiencing a "clunking" sound from our landing gear (2 front jacks) with occasional strong ones that vibrate the rig. It's really only noticed during the evening and morning telling us it probably has something to do with the hydraulics and temperature change. Has anyone else experienced this?
GENECOP said
01:57 AM Sep 2, 2014
Yes in our Motorhome .....it never takes us out of level, just clunks every so often.....I don't worry about it but am also curious if anyone else experiences it.....
Lucky Mike said
06:51 AM Sep 2, 2014
I get it in the class A as the night cools.....if your jacks are hydrolic , as the fluid cools it condenses
BratsInABox said
08:45 AM Sep 2, 2014
I also posted the question on another forum and someone said it may be a problem with the jacks brakes. We'll take a look at those today, and hopefully not find anything, but I am glad to hear we're not the only ones experiencing it. It can get a bit unnerving as our bedroom is directly over our landing gear.
Bill and Linda said
11:02 AM Sep 2, 2014
Mike and Gene:
Might it be air in the system that has never been purged?
The installation procedure for our Big Foots includes extending them fully to make sure the entire system is as purged as possible as pertains to air bubbles, etc.With our frame this is of no concern and can be easily accomplished in the 5er with all 4 down. However, as the front and rear jacks on some rigs, 5ers and motor homes, never get fully extended – maybe air in the lines / cylinders re: the heating and cooling, etc. . . . .?A thought . . .
Bill
Joe_Camper said
12:02 PM Sep 2, 2014
This is a common issue with hydraulic systems.
Here is the procedure and list of fluids that you can use. I haven't done this yet, but plan to.
Lippert Level Up noise fluid
If there is a popping noise in a Lippert Leveling system, Lippert has approved adding a quart of anti-stiction
fluid. Approved fluids are listed by brand name and fluid characteristics below:
1. Torco RFF Grade 15 (Fig. 1)
2. Maxima Fork Oil Grade 15 (Fig. 2)
3. Caterpillar Hydraulic Oil Additive 1U-9891 (Fig. 3)
For maximum results in the shortest amount of time, please follow the preparation and procedure exactly
as written below. Failure to follow the preparation and procedure may result in delayed resolution of the
audible disturbance.
Preparation:
1. Obtain a clean container (large enough to hold a quart of fluid)
2. Obtain a fluid extraction device (siphon, turkey baster, etc.)
3. Fully retract all hydraulic cylinders and jacks.
Process:
1. Using the fluid extraction device, remove one quart of fluid from the power unit reservoir.
2. Add 1/2 quart of the specified fluid.
3. Extend all hydraulic cylinders and jacks fully.
4. Add the remaining amount of the specified fluid.
5. Fully retract all hydraulic cylinders and jacks.
6. Run the Auto-Level feature on the Level-Up system per the instructions found in the Owner's Manual.
NOTE: If the noise persists, the addition of a second quart may be necessary. Follow steps 1 through 6.
GENECOP said
12:32 PM Sep 2, 2014
Our system is Bigfoot. It has done it from day one, three years later it still OCASSIONALLY does the clunk....maybe air, maybe just normal cooling , condensing etc...One day if passing through a GOOD Bigfoot service center I will probably stop in and get a tune up, fluids replaced , adjustments, whatever....not sure what if anything Bigfoot recommends for maintenance.....Thanks, G
Bill and Linda said
01:18 PM Sep 2, 2014
GENECOP wrote:
Our system is Bigfoot. It has done it from day one, three years later it still OCASSIONALLY does the clunk....maybe air, maybe just normal cooling , condensing etc...One day if passing through a GOOD Bigfoot service center I will probably stop in and get a tune up, fluids replaced , adjustments, whatever....not sure what if anything Bigfoot recommends for maintenance.....Thanks, G
Gene:
I’ve been to the Quadra factory twice and both times they told me other than what they say in the manual there is no other maintenance required or recommend.FWIW
But from our original manual it says that once every 6 months they recommend extending the rams fully and spraying them with 100% silicone* lubricate.Specifically NOT WD40 as it attracts dirt. I do this more often as well as giving the limit pins a shot of silicone and exercising them when I do.
If you have them down for an extended period of time they also recommend giving them a good shot of silicone to lubricate before raising as the seals will be very dry after sitting a month or more.
* Most “silicone” lubricants are not 100% silicone. Here is where we get i:.
We’ve had good service following this procedure although I do carry two spare hydraulic hoses and a spare limit pin. But you know me and spares.
Linda just said, “Have you run the Big Foots all the way down recently.”As Howard would say: Sheeeesh.J
Bill
GENECOP said
01:40 PM Sep 2, 2014
Bill, yes I always do the spray silicone and clean when the pistons are fully extended....I don't carry extra hoses but that is probably a good idea.....Thanks.
Bill and Linda said
01:50 PM Sep 2, 2014
GENECOP wrote:
Bill, yes I always do the spray silicone and clean when the pistons are fully extended....I don't carry extra hoses but that is probably a good idea.....Thanks.
Gene:
As you may know, an intermitted limit pin can keep the jack from retracing fully and I had to replace one in the other rig after about 5 years due to dirt. I also had a bad connector on a brand new hydraulic hose which was leaking.If I have to replace a part, and it’s not too awful heavy, I buy two and carry a spare.(Well, I did carry an extra air-ride pin box from Indiana to Oregon once but that’s another story.)
Fifth wheel owners. We are experiencing a "clunking" sound from our landing gear (2 front jacks) with occasional strong ones that vibrate the rig. It's really only noticed during the evening and morning telling us it probably has something to do with the hydraulics and temperature change. Has anyone else experienced this?
Mike and Gene:
Might it be air in the system that has never been purged?
The installation procedure for our Big Foots includes extending them fully to make sure the entire system is as purged as possible as pertains to air bubbles, etc. With our frame this is of no concern and can be easily accomplished in the 5er with all 4 down. However, as the front and rear jacks on some rigs, 5ers and motor homes, never get fully extended – maybe air in the lines / cylinders re: the heating and cooling, etc. . . . .? A thought . . .
Bill
Here is the procedure and list of fluids that you can use. I haven't done this yet, but plan to.
Lippert Level Up noise fluid
If there is a popping noise in a Lippert Leveling system, Lippert has approved adding a quart of anti-stiction
fluid. Approved fluids are listed by brand name and fluid characteristics below:
1. Torco RFF Grade 15 (Fig. 1)
2. Maxima Fork Oil Grade 15 (Fig. 2)
3. Caterpillar Hydraulic Oil Additive 1U-9891 (Fig. 3)
For maximum results in the shortest amount of time, please follow the preparation and procedure exactly
as written below. Failure to follow the preparation and procedure may result in delayed resolution of the
audible disturbance.
Preparation:
1. Obtain a clean container (large enough to hold a quart of fluid)
2. Obtain a fluid extraction device (siphon, turkey baster, etc.)
3. Fully retract all hydraulic cylinders and jacks.
Process:
1. Using the fluid extraction device, remove one quart of fluid from the power unit reservoir.
2. Add 1/2 quart of the specified fluid.
3. Extend all hydraulic cylinders and jacks fully.
4. Add the remaining amount of the specified fluid.
5. Fully retract all hydraulic cylinders and jacks.
6. Run the Auto-Level feature on the Level-Up system per the instructions found in the Owner's Manual.
NOTE: If the noise persists, the addition of a second quart may be necessary. Follow steps 1 through 6.
Gene:
I’ve been to the Quadra factory twice and both times they told me other than what they say in the manual there is no other maintenance required or recommend. FWIW
But from our original manual it says that once every 6 months they recommend extending the rams fully and spraying them with 100% silicone* lubricate. Specifically NOT WD40 as it attracts dirt. I do this more often as well as giving the limit pins a shot of silicone and exercising them when I do.
If you have them down for an extended period of time they also recommend giving them a good shot of silicone to lubricate before raising as the seals will be very dry after sitting a month or more.
* Most “silicone” lubricants are not 100% silicone. Here is where we get i:.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BXOFJI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
We’ve had good service following this procedure although I do carry two spare hydraulic hoses and a spare limit pin. But you know me and spares.
Linda just said, “Have you run the Big Foots all the way down recently.” As Howard would say: Sheeeesh. J
Bill
Gene:
As you may know, an intermitted limit pin can keep the jack from retracing fully and I had to replace one in the other rig after about 5 years due to dirt. I also had a bad connector on a brand new hydraulic hose which was leaking. If I have to replace a part, and it’s not too awful heavy, I buy two and carry a spare. (Well, I did carry an extra air-ride pin box from Indiana to Oregon once but that’s another story.)
Bill