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Old 07-31-2014, 07:26 PM   #1
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Hydraulic Landing Gear Question

I am the new owner of a 2008 Wildcat 5'r with hydraulic landing gear. My question is: Is there any safeguard in this system to prevent the gear from retracting in the event of a hydraulic failure. Im thinking like a hydraulic jack under a vehicle. Id never work under a vehicle supported by only a hydraulic jack. Why should I feel safe in a RV with only hydraulics supporting the front??
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Old 07-31-2014, 07:36 PM   #2
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Good question. I had2010 wildcat with hydraulic landing gear. I miss that now. But I'm thinking the hydraulics turn a threaded screw and the screw will not spin on its on. Maybe wildcat rep will check in soon. He'll know.
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Old 08-01-2014, 07:43 AM   #3
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The answer is based on your design. if the hydraulics turn a screw, then yes. If the hydraulics are like mine (Lippert Level-Up), then it depends. No system will protect from 100% of failures. Most hydraulics just operate a piston that moves inside a cylinder. Fluid lock maintains the position.

The landing gear should be designed to be fully retracted with no TV in place. Try it and see. It is more comfort and operability than a safety issue.
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Old 08-01-2014, 08:04 AM   #4
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Narboza. I think he asking if a line breaks, will the gear collapse and the front end fall to the ground? Do you have any idea on that? I'm thinking, considering how dangerous that would be that there would be some built in safety feature. Hoping wildcatchris checks in.
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Old 08-01-2014, 09:24 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dcheatwood View Post
Narboza. I think he asking if a line breaks, will the gear collapse and the front end fall to the ground? Do you have any idea on that? I'm thinking, considering how dangerous that would be that there would be some built in safety feature. Hoping wildcatchris checks in.
exactly!
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Old 08-01-2014, 10:02 AM   #6
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If a line breaks, a seal catastrophically fails, a weld pops, or a valve spontaneously opens then yes that part of the system depressurizes and something changes. If you suspect damage, repair it. If you distrust hydraulics that much, replace the system with an electric one. There are many millions of hydraulic systems in the world that work just fine.
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Old 08-01-2014, 10:54 AM   #7
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Dont necessarily distrust them. Just trying to get some info
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Old 08-01-2014, 11:27 AM   #8
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I spoke with wildcat Chris. He's consulting with factory on your question.
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Old 08-01-2014, 06:55 PM   #9
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Hydraulic Landing Gear Question

I have the same 5th 2008 28 rk
No problems with the hydraulics
Love it, fast and reliable
If there was a hose failure the lock valve would prevent the cylinder from retracting , lock valve also prevents drifting when extended under load
I usually drop the landing gear to about 1-2 " from the ground and pin it then use the hydraulics to lift it off the hitch and to level the trailer
It's totally a great system , don't worry about it



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