Front hydraulic landing gear settling

[sidney]

We have a 2014 Cedar Creek 5th wheel with the Lippert hydraulic 6 point leveling system.

Recently the front landing gear has started to settle slowly after being set up... approximately 1/8" per day. Also when the gear is retracted when towing the front left (curb side) landing gear will extend slowly about an inch after we have been towing all day.

I inspected the system and found no hydraulic fluid leaking anywhere.

I called Lippert to help troubleshoot and they said to make sure the hydraulic cartridge valve on the right side landing gear was fully closed by turning counter clockwise with a 5/32 allen wrench. I was able to turn the valve about 1/4 turn or so but I don't know yet if it has fixed the problem. (I don't think so)

I'm afraid we may have an internal leak in the front left jack assembly. Lippert told me they do not sell parts to rebuild the jack assembly... if there is an internal leak I would need to buy a whole new jack assembly... they are very expensive and a pain to remove.

What if I do nothing and continue to re-level every few days? Are we risking a dangerous failure?
I was thinking of using more leveling blocks under the pads so we would only need to extend the jacks a couple on inches. That way if it did start settling faster the front could only lower a couple of inches.

Anyone have experience with this same problem?

What options do I have?

Thanks

[NMWildcat]

I would wait to see if tightening the valve worked. If not, I would think either the valve or the jack is bad. The jack/valve may be slightly expensive, but very easy to replace. The system is self bleeding. I would probably start with the valve first, but I would definitely fix it. Problems never get better on their own, only worse

[Rich5117]

X2 on fixing the problem. Agree with NMWildcat start with valve first. The Jacks operate for lack of a better explanation by using pressure on both sides of the jack leg. An internal pressure loss in one jack should not affect the other jack, however a leaky control valve would allow both to loose pressure

Would also consider getting a set of Jack stands to place under each side after you get it level to hold everything in place until you get things fixed.

[sidney]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

I would wait to see if tightening the valve worked. If not, I would think either the valve or the jack is bad. The jack/valve may be slightly expensive, but very easy to replace. The system is self bleeding. I would probably start with the valve first, but I would definitely fix it. Problems never get better on their own, only worse

I should have been more clear...

Should have said what if I do nothing in the interim. We are snowbirding for another 3 1/2 months and won't be able to be without our 5th wheel waiting for repairs.

Anyone here have the same problem with their hydraulics?

What was your fix?

[Rich5117]

Sidney, a set of Jack stands screwed up under the frame will get you through. Have you considered a mobile RV repair service. Most places know who are good and can probably give you a reference. Unless there is something unusual they should be able to repair that on site.

I had both center jacks replaced on site because of leaks. Even had a new cooling unit replaced on our refrigerator on site. Different times but both services were excellent.

[NMWildcat]

Only you know how much it leaks, how much it bothers you, and how much you will put up with before you get it fixed. I have replaced a jack that was seeping oil externally, but never had any leak down. I have also used mobile techs numerous times while away from home, and they always fixed it onsite. If you don't know exactly what the problem is, I would go with a mobile repair. I'm still betting on the valve.

As far as a pending disaster, I doubt it. Worse case is you wake up one morning with the front end on the ground and no way to jack it up. Although if the landing gear went all the way down, it might damage the middle jacks that are still extended.

[HWCbob]

On our trip south this month the front jacks, on our CC 2014 CKTS, started drifting down 2-3 inches while traveling. Thought it might be the cold temperatures, -8 degrees, but monitoring right now to fully understand the issue

[BandJCarm]

You might try (??) adding Stiction Fluid to the reservoir..........might help, might not.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by sidney

Should have said what if I do nothing in the interim. We are snowbirding for another 3 1/2 months and won't be able to be without our 5th wheel waiting for repairs.

I have no idea, but I will say, like NMWildcat mentioned- mobile RV techs should be able to fix you up in-place on your site without you having to leave the camper.

[donniedu]

Take the jacks out, find a local hydraulic shop. Take them to them, explain whats happening and let them fix them. What you describe is a common scenario of piston seal damage. There is nothing special about the partd Lippert uses. They probsbly buy the whole leg assemblies from a Chinese source. So again thry will all have co mon easily sourced parts. Especially seals and bearings.

[donniedu]

BTW, go to Harbor Freight or borrow a pair of hydraulic bottle jacks to support the nose. Fix it where your sitting unless there are no hydraulic shops aroundmyou.

[mecd]

Had this problem once after taking out of storage from first winter with my 2015 CC CKTS. The left side settled a few inches over 3-weeks. Added additional fluid to the reservoir and problem never returned. Reservoir level was too low to start with.

[sidney]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm monitoring the settling for the next couple of days.

Checking to see if the fluid level in the reservoir changes after settling a inch or more. If it rises I'm guessing its a bad cartridge valve.

So far today the front landing gear hasn't settled at all. Typically it would have settled a measurable amount by now.

Keeping fingers crossed.

[dieselguy]

There is a procedure to check any hydraulic cylinder by removing one of the lines, capping it, and applying pressure to the other port on the cylinder to see if hyd fluid comes out the port the line was removed from, but it's best done with experience. It's no big deal to swap a cylinder if that what is determined to be the fault. While hooked to your truck or held up with an external jack ... 4 bolts, two hydraulic lines, and it's off. Swap out the fittings on the cylinder and reverse the procedure to install. Cycle the cylinder full stroke both ways and it will self bleed out the air. I've not run across anybody that has been successful in finding a business to agree to rebuild one of these cylinders. It's like asking to drain the Pacific ocean for some odd reason.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by sidney

Thanks for the replies.

I'm monitoring the settling for the next couple of days.

Checking to see if the fluid level in the reservoir changes after settling a inch or more. If it rises I'm guessing its a bad cartridge valve.

So far today the front landing gear hasn't settled at all. Typically it would have settled a measurable amount by now.

Keeping fingers crossed.

Maybe the 1/4 turn on the valve screw fixed the issue...

[kittlecat]

My brother-in-law had the exact same problem with his RV (non-FR). His RV is also a 2014. He contacted Lippert at my suggestion and took the RV to them (we live in MI, Lippert is in IN) and the front hydraulic levelers were replaced at no charge to him. He and my sister would sometimes wake up in the morning and the front of the 5th wheel had dropped. He also had trouble with the front legs dropping down while driving and had to stop on the side of the freeway more than once and get out of the truck to raise the legs. Personally, I would be polite but very firm with Lippert and ask them to remedy the problem, because it is a problem. I believe there are others on this forum who have experienced the same trouble with the front legs on their hydraulic leveling systems and Lippert has replaced the front legs. Good luck.

[sidney]

Originally Posted by kittlecat

My brother-in-law had the exact same problem with his RV (non-FR). His RV is also a 2014. He contacted Lippert at my suggestion and took the RV to them (we live in MI, Lippert is in IN) and the front hydraulic levelers were replaced at no charge to him. He and my sister would sometimes wake up in the morning and the front of the 5th wheel had dropped. He also had trouble with the front legs dropping down while driving and had to stop on the side of the freeway more than once and get out of the truck to raise the legs. Personally, I would be polite but very firm with Lippert and ask them to remedy the problem, because it is a problem. I believe there are others on this forum who have experienced the same trouble with the front legs on their hydraulic leveling systems and Lippert has replaced the front legs. Good luck.

Thanks for the reply.

Mine is still settling.

How long did he own his coach before Lippert replaced the jacks? Was he still under warranty?

[kittlecat]

He bought the coach new in 2014 and took it to Lippert in December 2017 after having trouble with the front settling on/off for 3 years. Not sure if the coach was still under warranty. Lippert had the coach for 2 days and then my brother-in-law picked it up and went home. The most dangerous aspect to the legs dropping was while in transit.

[Jokerbgood]

Originally Posted by sidney

We have a 2014 Cedar Creek 5th wheel with the Lippert hydraulic 6 point leveling system.



Recently the front landing gear has started to settle slowly after being set up... approximately 1/8" per day. Also when the gear is retracted when towing the front left (curb side) landing gear will extend slowly about an inch after we have been towing all day.



I inspected the system and found no hydraulic fluid leaking anywhere.



I called Lippert to help troubleshoot and they said to make sure the hydraulic cartridge valve on the right side landing gear was fully closed by turning counter clockwise with a 5/32 allen wrench. I was able to turn the valve about 1/4 turn or so but I don't know yet if it has fixed the problem. (I don't think so)



I'm afraid we may have an internal leak in the front left jack assembly. Lippert told me they do not sell parts to rebuild the jack assembly... if there is an internal leak I would need to buy a whole new jack assembly... they are very expensive and a pain to remove.



What if I do nothing and continue to re-level every few days? Are we risking a dangerous failure?

I was thinking of using more leveling blocks under the pads so we would only need to extend the jacks a couple on inches. That way if it did start settling faster the front could only lower a couple of inches.



Anyone have experience with this same problem?



What options do I have?



Thanks

They told us the same thing when ours was leaking. Found out later it can be fixed but it was too late for us.

[sidney]

Originally Posted by Jokerbgood

They told us the same thing when ours was leaking. Found out later it can be fixed but it was too late for us.

Did Lippert not fix it because you were out of warranty?