Landing Gear Switch Failure

5er_tom · 06-20-2016, 09:12 AM

Sure glad my Wildcat came with a manual crank for the front landing gear. The landing gear switch will extend the gear, but will not retract them. I will need to spend some time and find a new switch. We are currently in Gunnison, CO, heading to Cheyenne, WY, on Tuesday. Perhaps there is a good RV shop there.
The access hole for the manual crank is behind the driver side propane tank, but the crank fits through the handles on top of the tank so I need not remove the tank, which is a good thing as the tank is heavy.

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SMN8 · 06-20-2016, 09:40 AM

I had the same issue a month ago. The factory replacement is expensive. I went to grainger and ordered a DPDT switch. Its black but oh well. The only thing you have to do is jump 2 terminals. Just pay attention to the back of your current one and duplicate the same way. The numbers are the same on each one, you will see which ones on your current switch to jump. New one works much smoother then the old one too. I bought 2, on for a backup. Make sure you have some fuses for the landing gear as well.

Here is link to switch.
https://www.grainger.com/product/CAR...aa&origin=prod

**Bama Rambler** · 06-20-2016, 02:55 PM

The above link is the correct switch. As said, you need a DPDT momentary-center off switch. The return to center is important because you don't want it to stay on when you press the button.

5er_tom · 06-20-2016, 05:05 PM

Thanks to both of you. Apparently no Granger in Cheyenne, but the store in Ft. Collins have them. I'll stop by there tomorrow on my way to Cheyenne.

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bob caldwell · 06-20-2016, 08:36 PM

The weather gets to them.....I put front and rear stabs in compartments with doors.....been just fine since

MOODMAN · 06-21-2016, 03:00 PM

Don't know about you, but my switch gave out on my FR fifth wheel. So, I used the remote to extend the gear. Not sure if you have a remote.
But my switch is still not fixed. Will be when I get a round tuit.

5er_tom · 06-21-2016, 06:42 PM

No remote. Hand cranked it down this morning to hook up. Arrived in Cheyenne this afternoon and front of 5th wheel too high. Guess what? The other side of the switch broke. Now I have to hand crank both up and down.
I called FR dealer here in Cheyenne about a new switch and was told it would take at least 5 weeks to get
One as FR is very busy. I called my dealer in NC, Bill Plemmons, and it was ordered today with 3-5 days to ship. They will ship to a place we are going in CA.
I know the FR switch is waymore expensive than the one from Grainger, but the FR switch comes with the wiring harness already connected. I looked and it will be an easy swap out.
I will get one of the Grainger switches for a backup.

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bob caldwell · 06-21-2016, 07:04 PM

Six terminal slide switch works also...

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bob caldwell · 06-21-2016, 07:05 PM

Switches also available on Amazon

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gsp050 · 06-22-2016, 06:56 AM

A few years ago when I left a campground my landing gear worked fine. 250 miles later when I arrived home the gear would not extend. Everything checked out fine other than the switch. Before I ordered a new switch I decided to go to Walmart an bought a can of contact cleaner. Disconnected all electrical power to switch. Sprayed the contact cleaner in switch and worked switch for about 5 min while reappling cleaner. reconnected and never had a problem again. Now every few months I apply cleaner to all outside switches as a precaution.

5er_tom · 06-22-2016, 08:23 AM

Good idea on the contact cleaner. In my case the switch no longer "clicks" when I push it. I am going to Grainger today to get a replacement. It is a 45 minute drive from here. After I replace it, I will see if I can determine what broke inside the bad switch.

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gdwash · 06-22-2016, 04:13 PM

I had this problem and a new switch was not the answer. What I found out was the hydraulic motor pump was requiring more amps than the reset breaker could handle. The reset breaker for my unit came with a 50 amp resettable breaker. I put in a 100 amp resettable breaker and the front jacks work perfectly. Lippert is very difficult to get info out of.

lawaco12 · 06-22-2016, 06:34 PM

Just reverse wires on motor until you get new switch. Save a lot of cranking. Switch wire back when going opposite direction

5er_tom · 06-22-2016, 07:56 PM

Reverse wires??? Now that is a crazy idea.

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bob caldwell · 06-22-2016, 08:00 PM

That's all the switch does

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bob caldwell · 06-22-2016, 08:23 PM

PYA move...

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bob caldwell · 06-22-2016, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

PYA move...

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Wrong thread...

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5er_tom · 06-23-2016, 04:10 PM

The replacement switch from Granger is close, but not an exact match. I did find an exact match at an RV dealer near Denver. It is:
JR Products, part number 13865.
$16.49.
www.jrprvinc.com

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bob caldwell · 06-23-2016, 04:20 PM

Put it in one of JR's comparments

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cavie · 06-23-2016, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdwash

I had this problem and a new switch was not the answer. What I found out was the hydraulic motor pump was requiring more amps than the reset breaker could handle. The reset breaker for my unit came with a 50 amp resettable breaker. I put in a 100 amp resettable breaker and the front jacks work perfectly. Lippert is very difficult to get info out of.

Speaking as a 45 year master electrician, remove that 100 amp breaker. You are gonna start a fire and possibly burn down your rig. The wire will burn long before the breaker will trip. Please remove the breaker and get you motor fixed!

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