Results for "hydraulic fluid"

Slideouts Medium 2-4 hours 208 👍 2

Power Gear Leveler Won't Retract: Complete Repair Guide

Called Power Gear support and they said press retract after leveling, but my system deployed perfectly and now just sits there doing absolutely nothing. The system appears to receive the retract command since I can hear some activity, but the legs remain extended. The only way to get them up is by engaging the transmission which triggers the emergency retract function.

I need a systematic approach to diagnose this retraction failure. What are the most likely causes when Power Gear levelers deploy normally but won't respond to the retract command, and what's the proper troubleshooting sequence to identify whether it's a solenoid valve issue, wiring problem, or control module failure? …more

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General Easy 20 min research 137 👍 0

How to Find Reliable RV Repair Shops: Expert Tips & Red Flags to Watch Out For

About every summer my 2004 Adventurer runs like a dream until temps hit 85°F, then it breaks down constantly and no shop can figure out why. The main slide out has been acting up with the HWH hydraulic system, and I honestly don't know enough to fix it myself.

I'm worried about getting taken advantage of since I don't really know what questions to ask or what warning signs to watch out for. I've heard horror stories about people paying huge bills for shoddy work. What's the best way to research and find a reliable shop? Are there specific things I should ask them before I commit to having work done?

Any guidance would be really appreciated - I just want to make sure I'm being smart about this and not walking into a bad situation. …more

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Slideouts Medium 1-2 hours 124 👍 0

RV Slide Out Won't Retract: Motor Runs But Won't Move - Fix

Planning to use the same motor running trick that saved my old Winnebago's slide out, but this new rig's slide won't budge at all. It extended just fine this morning, but now when I try to bring it back in, the motor sounds like it's working but the slide isn't budging at all. I can hear it running but zero movement.

I'm trying to figure out if this is a hydraulic problem or if I've got a cable system that's gone haywire. Could it be something simple like low fluid, or am I looking at broken cables? Don't want to mess around with it too much without knowing what I'm dealing with first. …more

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Slideouts Medium 2-3 hours 115 👍 0

RV Slide Out Moving Slowly? Complete Lubrication & Repair Guide [2024]

I tried everything I could think of, but after all that heavy rain last week, my slide out went from smooth operation to moving like molasses. It sounds like it's really struggling and straining, making these awful grinding noises that have me worried I'm going to break something expensive.

I've been reading that lubrication might be the answer, but I honestly don't know where to start. Should I be looking at the motor mechanism? The tracks? I've heard about hydraulic fluid but I'm not sure if my system is hydraulic or electric. I really need someone to walk me through what needs lubrication and what else I should check before this thing stops working completely!

Could you help me troubleshoot? Details that might help: Can you tell me the specific model of my RV and the type of slide out system it uses? …more

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Engine Medium 2-3 hours 100 👍 0

Ford E-450 RV Shock Absorber Upgrade Guide: Bilstein 4600 vs Koni FSD

Before spending hundreds on new tires and suspension parts for my 2023 Ford E-450 Class C motorhome, the ride quality is still absolutely brutal. The RV is about 28 feet long and weighs approximately 14,500 pounds loaded. We use it primarily for family camping trips, but I also occasionally tow a small utility trailer with dirt bikes - probably 25% of our trips involve towing that extra 2,000-3,000 pounds.

I've been researching shock absorber upgrades and have narrowed it down to two main options that seem popular in the RV community: the Bilstein 4600 series and the Koni FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) shocks. I understand both are significant improvements over stock, but I'm trying to understand the practical differences between them for my specific setup and usage patterns.

What I really need to know is which option provides the best balance of ride comfort improvement, handling stability (especially when towing), and overall value for money on the E-450 chassis. I want to make sure I'm making the right choice since this is a fairly significant investment and I don't want to have buyer's remorse later. …more

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Chassis Medium 45 minutes 99 👍 0

Dutchstar Chassis Cracking Noise: Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Hearing a loud cracking or popping noise from underneath my Dutchstar when going over bumps or turning. Sounds structural — like metal flexing or a weld breaking. Crawled under and couldn't see any obvious cracks but the noise is getting louder each trip. …more

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Slideouts Medium 45 minutes 99 👍 0

RV Electric Leveling Jacks Won't Extend - Fix Clicking Issue

Wondering if I should drop $800 on new electric leveling jacks or if this annoying clicking issue can actually be fixed first? The jacks were working perfectly fine on our last camping trip about two weeks ago, but now when I try to extend them, I can hear a distinct clicking sound coming from the controller panel, yet none of the jacks actually move or extend. The clicking happens consistently when I press the extend button, so it seems like the system is trying to respond, but something is preventing the actual mechanical operation.

I'm wondering what the most common causes are for this specific symptom - where you get the clicking from the controller but no actual jack movement. I'd like to understand the logical troubleshooting sequence, starting with the easiest things to check first before I dive into more complex diagnostics. The RV has been sitting plugged into shore power, but I know these systems can have multiple potential failure points including electrical, hydraulic, or control issues.

What should I be checking first, and what's the typical progression for diagnosing electric leveling jack problems that manifest with clicking sounds but no extension? …more

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Chassis Hard 4-6 hours 94 👍 0

RV Hydroboost Brake System Leak: Repair Guide & Solutions

Around my neighborhood, opinions on hydroboost fluid seepage are all over the map—my neighbor calls it normal wear, the RV dealer screams safety hazard, and YouTube mechanics can't agree either. It's not a major leak - just some dampness and staining where it mounts. I'm remembering a previous forum discussion where a user named Subford had similar seepage years ago and wanted to follow up on their experience.

The seeping seems minor right now, but I'm worried it could suddenly get worse while we're on the road. I had attached a picture similar to one I saw in an older forum post. Should I stop driving immediately and get it fixed? Or is some seeping normal and okay to monitor?

My main questions: Is minor hydroboost seeping immediately dangerous? Did Subford ever end up replacing their hydroboost? What does the replacement job involve? I want to be safe but also don't want to panic if this isn't urgent. …more

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Slideouts Easy 30 minutes inspection 93 👍 0

RV Hydraulic Leveling Jack Leaks: Normal Seepage vs Serious Problems Explained

Somewhere between parking and leveling my 2019 Forest River Georgetown, I noticed the hydraulic leveling jacks have small amounts of fluid on the fittings. No puddles underneath and the jacks aren't sagging when stored or in use. Just a light coating on the hoses and one fitting has a small amount of fluid visible.

Is this normal seepage or something I should worry about? What's the difference between normal weeping and a real problem that needs immediate attention? …more

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Slideouts Medium 45 minutes 90 👍 0

HWH 325 Levelers Shutting Off When Extended? Quick Fix Guide

This might sound like a warranty question, but before I start tearing into my HWH 325 series levelers that shut off when extended — am I covered or paying again? They power up just fine - all lights, sounds normal, no drama. But the SECOND I press any of the extend buttons, they shut off completely like I just insulted their mother.

I'm trying to level out while changing my motorhome's oil (because apparently I can't even do basic maintenance without my house deciding to be crooked), and these levelers are having none of it. Battery shows good on the panel, but I'm wondering if there's some kind of voltage issue happening when they try to actually work? Or maybe loose connections somewhere? Anyone dealt with this particular brand of RV stubbornness before? …more

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Chassis Medium 2-4 hours 89 👍 0

F53 Hydroboost Brake System Problems: Complete Repair & Troubleshooting Guide

Between the small hydraulic leak that started on my 1995 F53 hydroboost brake system last month and what's happening now, I'm wondering how much worse this nightmare can get. Right now it's just a slow drip - maybe one drop per minute - and I can feel the power steering is slightly stiffer than normal, plus the brake pedal requires a bit more effort than usual.

What I really need to understand is the theory behind how hydroboost systems operate, since this is different from the vacuum brake boosters I'm used to. More importantly, if this leak gets progressively worse and I don't address it immediately, what's my worst-case scenario? Will I completely lose power steering and power braking assistance, or would I still have manual control of both systems? I'm trying to figure out whether this is something I need to drop everything and fix right now, or if I have some time to plan the repair properly. …more

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Engine Easy 15 min visual, 1 hour full 89 👍 0

Ford F53 Motorhome Brake Inspection: Complete Guide to Checking Rotors and Pads

Turned onto that steep mountain grade last week and heard grinding from my 2014 F53 chassis, but I can't figure out how to properly inspect the brake pads and rotors. I've been crawling around under there, contorting myself into every possible position, but I just can't get a good view of the brake components through the wheel openings.

Is there a specific technique or approach that actually works for getting a proper look at the pad thickness and rotor condition? I really want to stay on top of brake maintenance, but the limited visibility is making this nearly impossible. Should I be using special tools, or is there a better method I'm missing? …more

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Slideouts Medium 2-3 hours 88 👍 0

HWH RV Slide Hydraulic Hose Repair: Complete DIY Guide

Replaced my HWH slide's hydraulic hose last month and now it's spraying fluid everywhere again with our three-week cross-country trip starting Friday! My 2007 Monaco Dynasty with HWH hydraulic system decided to throw me a curveball when the bedroom slide hydraulic line (1/4" I.D.) decided to spring a leak. After some detective work (and a lovely puddle of ATF to mark the spot), I traced it back to where a 1" air line to the front caliper had been playing the world's slowest game of 'saw through the hydraulic hose' for who knows how many miles.

I temporarily patched with Gorilla Tape and 1/2" hose clamps, which got the slide almost closed but still creeping. I'm planning to fix this with a compression coupling since that seems like the most straightforward approach for a DIY repair. Two quick questions: Can anyone confirm the 1/4" I.D. hose size for HWH systems? And once I get this coupling installed, will I need to bleed the system, or does it sort itself out? I'm hoping this repair goes smoother than my attempts to explain to my spouse why we're currently camping with a slide that's permanently 'almost' closed! …more

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General Easy N/A 87 👍 0

5000 lb RV Hitch Rating Explained: Weight Limits, Tongue Weight & Safety Guide

According to my old Class C setup this same hitch rating confusion was easily solved with basic math — but towing a Jeep behind this Class A motorhome has me worried about weight limits and legal liability. After checking the Jeep website, I noticed that most Jeep models weigh over 5100 lbs, which seems to exceed typical 5000 lb hitch ratings. Could this potentially expose RV owners to liability if something goes wrong during towing? I want to understand the weight implications and safety considerations before hooking up a vehicle. Does this mean most Jeep owners towing with a gasser Class A might be inadvertently exceeding safe towing limits? …more

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Engine Hard 6-8 hours 85 👍 0

F53 Rear Pinion Seal Replacement: Complete Dana 17060 RV Axle Repair Guide

I replaced my Dana 17060 rear pinion seal myself after getting quoted $1,800 for my 2018 Allegro 32SA and saved a fortune. I've been researching this repair and I'm honestly getting overwhelmed by what I'm reading about the complexity.

The more I dig into this, the more concerned I'm getting about the specialized tools needed and the precision required. I'm specifically wondering about the 650 lb torque specification, finding a socket that fits the nut and can work with a 1-inch drive, and the best method for removing a potentially loctited nut.

Is this realistically a DIY job for someone with decent mechanical skills? I've already marked my components for driveline alignment, but I'm unsure about seal removal tools, whether to use heat for nut removal, and if I should use loctite when reinstalling.

Is this something I should attempt myself or just pay for professional work? How long does this type of repair typically take, and what am I really looking at in terms of complexity? …more

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