Cracking noise from jacks/Frane

[mlafleur]

Hi,
Here’s a situation, how it came to be, and the (simple) solution my dear wife suggested to solve it.

It all started 2 years ago when we were staying in the southwest desert (near Niland, CA). We noticed that the rig (2004 Georgetown, 30’) was making cracking noises whenever there was a major shift in temperature — either from cold to warm or vice-versa.
We tried to put up with it until I could get the hydrolic jacks checked. And they checked OK.
When we took the rig out of storage Summer 2021, it started again during our initial trip. One night it got so annoying it kept us awake. Out if desperation, in the middle of the night, I used pieces of 2X4 to brace the sleeping area slide-out. It didn’t really help. So again we put up with it during a couple of outings during the summer. I was eager to return to Niland, but dreading the cracking noises.
On-route from Ottawa, Ontario, we stopped over in Tucson AZ for 2 nights, and it started again. Note that the cracking only happened when the jacks were extended and there was a shift in temperature. This is when the wife and had a strike of genious and asked if we could reposition the jacks a little less extended. And so I tried it.

It’s frigging MAGIC. No more cracking. Problem solved. So from here on end, the jacks are never extended more than a few inches, requiring more blocks and pieces of 2X6 so the ground reaches the jacks and not the opposite.

It might actually due to the age of the rig, so for all of you out there with older motorhomes, and who are experiencing similar situations, check how much you jacks are extended.

Regards,

Maurice

[bubbles]

Not new issue to this forum. Here's a link from Lippert recommendation posted on the forum.
https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...4&d=1376411231

[mlafleur]

Thanks. I’m not even sure the hydrolic system is from Lippert. How do you tell? And BTW mine doesn’t have the auto level function.
M

[mlafleur]

Hi all.
Follow up on the topic. I purchased and installed the conditionning liquid recommended by Lippert. Followed all instructions step by step. No real improvement. The only thing that really helps is to extend the jacks as little as possible.
M

[FlatlanderSK]

Have had the same issue. The additive helped a bit but the clicking/cracking sound was still annoying. I ended up putting a bit of blocking under the jacks so they didn’t have to extend as far, and added a rubber Camco Jack pad under each Jack - was great all summer last year after that. I think the main culprit was jacks near full extension.

[Cabinfever97]

Originally Posted by mlafleur

Hi,
Here’s a situation, how it came to be, and the (simple) solution my dear wife suggested to solve it.

It all started 2 years ago when we were staying in the southwest desert (near Niland, CA). We noticed that the rig (2004 Georgetown, 30’) was making cracking noises whenever there was a major shift in temperature — either from cold to warm or vice-versa.
We tried to put up with it until I could get the hydrolic jacks checked. And they checked OK.
When we took the rig out of storage Summer 2021, it started again during our initial trip. One night it got so annoying it kept us awake. Out if desperation, in the middle of the night, I used pieces of 2X4 to brace the sleeping area slide-out. It didn’t really help. So again we put up with it during a couple of outings during the summer. I was eager to return to Niland, but dreading the cracking noises.
On-route from Ottawa, Ontario, we stopped over in Tucson AZ for 2 nights, and it started again. Note that the cracking only happened when the jacks were extended and there was a shift in temperature. This is when the wife and had a strike of genious and asked if we could reposition the jacks a little less extended. And so I tried it.

It’s frigging MAGIC. No more cracking. Problem solved. So from here on end, the jacks are never extended more than a few inches, requiring more blocks and pieces of 2X6 so the ground reaches the jacks and not the opposite.

It might actually due to the age of the rig, so for all of you out there with older motorhomes, and who are experiencing similar situations, check how much you jacks are extended.

Regards,

Maurice

I have always had the thought less extension of stabilizers is a good thing. We carry two milk crates of 4x4s. we just use what we have to keep from extending as much as we can.