Front Leveling Jacks

[Orion]

Has anyone had problems with the front leveling Jacks - we have a 2007 3400 RL and seem to have a problem-In 6/09 we had to have them worked on-as they were being raised or lowered a very loud metal against metal noise - that seemed to help - then in Oct.2009-had to stop at a Camping world in AL for the same problem-there they diagnostic that the drivers side gear was hanging up and blowing the 40amp fuse-they replaced the motor wire. at that time we contacted Lippert manuf (who makes the gear/and the frame)of course they said it was out of warranty and that they have had no complaints everything was fine until 4/10-when it started again and at a IL Montana dealership both leggs and the drive motor (these also came from Lippert)were replaced. Have had no problem till now and its starting again. We are full timers and started a trip before Labor Day - and now in S.C. head to Florida, then to Texas. Thankfully we found the crank to do it by hand but we can't keep doing that. Any ideas??

[CORattler]

Try popping the tops on the legs an pouring 90W oil down the insides...
Just a thought...... Best of luck to you!!

[DQDick]

It does sound like a lubrication issue.

[Pugtracker]

I had a problem where it was grinding as you say so i called venture, they are very helpful. They try to sell you second motor which is a good idea but not really needed. Anyway if you are able to take off your front jacks like i did i found one of my screws were bent. you cant see its bent until you run the gear down it. They are not very complicated a bent screw is all i can see can really happen. (how did mine get bent probally my fault when i was new setting up on unlevel surface) It also blew my fuse. just call venture and she will send ya the diagram and how to rebuild. leave your rig on your truck and you can take them off very easy two screws. You will also be surprised at the two little tabs that are holding up the entire trailer. when ya heading in texas im already here lol

[Pugtracker]

quote:Originally posted by CORattler

Try popping the tops on the legs an pouring 90W oil down the insides...
Just a thought...... Best of luck to you!!

no wont matter if its bent

[RRman]

Mine started making strange noises, I discovered the Motor was loose and the shear bolt from the motor shaft to the tube (one motor front jacks)was busted. Dealer was satisfied with my tightening of the one visible screw that held the motor in place and replaced the shear pin. Not likely your problem?
I wonder if normal hitching where you "ram" the pin can lead to leg problems? Since I have a Gooseneck adapter I raise and lower the Fiver onto the ball so usually very little "shear" stress is put on the legs. Usually don't have to chock the wheels either.

[7.3Ford]

Larry,

If you plan to move around a lot you might want to look at getting BigFoot installed, while in Florida, they have a installation site in Lakeland, Fl. I love the system, levels the Montana no matter how un-level the site is, and it is fast.

http://www.quadraleveler.com/store/i...3564d946d33d2c

[ljensen]

The 2007 had a plastic reduction gear box housing that sits behind the motor. They crack and are hard to see. New ones are Alum. It may be stressing the motor if a mount is broken. The cluch in the motor my be slipping also. They reccomend adding another motor to the other leg. There is to much wieght up front when we ad all our goodies we carry. Call Venture Mfg. they make the landing gear 937-233-8792 ask for Patty

[Carl n Susan]

As ljensen wrote, Venture Manufacturing is the source of the landing legs and motor. They have numerous PDFs on their web site (which they will happily email to you) describing the operation, maintenance, and repair of the landing leg systems. They also sell the parts at a price significant less than other suppliers. There is no reason to contact Lippert (or Montana) except when a warranty is in effect.

[Champ_49]

Ford I looked at the big foot site and see there cost as $4195.00 but it doesn't state if thats the installed price that I seen. Maybe over looked it but is that the price installed? I just looked at it again, and I believe thats just the cost of the unit, and installation is extra I would imagine.


Dave

[CORattler]

You're right about that!

quote:Originally posted by Pugtracker

no wont matter if its bent

[7.3Ford]

quote:Originally posted by Champ_49

Ford I looked at the big foot site and see there cost as $4195.00 but it doesn't state if that's the installed price that I seen. Maybe over looked it but is that the price installed? I just looked at it again, and I believe that's just the cost of the unit, and installation is extra I would imagine.


Dave

Hi Dave,

If you order via Plug It Right http://www.plugitright.com/BigFootLevelers.html you can save some money at the Michigan facility. You might even get a break on the Florida facility. The out the door price with installation and taxes is $4,446.70 (Michigan) and $5,296.50 (Florida) if you get it via Plug It Right (save about $800 and factory still does the install).

I love the BigFoot system, takes 3-4 minutes to unhook and be level, no matter how uneven the site is. So if you plan on keeping the Montana, and plan to move around a lot like we do, it is good choice. We still have 6 years to go, before retiring, but we plan to hit the road and fill in all the states we are missing. Moving every 3-7 days, so for me it was a no brainer.

We are headed for Huntington Beach, SC (just South of Myrtle Beach, SC) on Thursday for long weekend, leave back home on Monday (still a working stiff).

[Dutch and Di]

Quadra Michigan is $4195.00 + $500.00 installation. Hugs, Di

quote:Originally posted by Champ_49

Ford I looked at the big foot site and see there cost as $4195.00 but it doesn't state if thats the installed price that I seen. Maybe over looked it but is that the price installed? I just looked at it again, and I believe thats just the cost of the unit, and installation is extra I would imagine.


Dave

[Champ_49]

Thanks everyone on the info and pricing. Now I have to convince myself that I need to spend that cash or just use blocks for free......lol Sure ain't getting any younger! :-)

Dave

[lasater]

With several batteries and an Onan 5.5K generator up front, our factory landing gear just wasn't strong enough for the job. A couple of times, we had to use a bottle jack under the front of the coach to lift it and at the same time lower the legs.

We finally replaced both front legs with Atwood direct drive landing gear rated at 8,000 lbs lifting capacity each. Now we can lower the legs together or independently (if the ground is uneven). If I had my choice, I would have the 6-point system installed (or buy a new Montana with the 6-point system). But, I have to wait until my lottery check comes in.

[Orion]

Thanks for the replies - we did try using the 90WT oil and it did stop the metal noise but it hasnt solved the problem. Going to check out a couple other suggestions and see if there is a problem there - not sure we want to put the expensive jacks on (our lottery check hasnt arrived yet either) this is our 4th 5th wheel trailer and the first time we have ever had a front landing gear problem but the other units all had gear boxes that were not positive drive. when they reached limit you would hear "click, click, click sound. this unit when it hits limites, it shears pins, no warning.

[Wheelhouse]

In order to avoid going up to high, I put some blue tape a little short of limits. Tape started peeling off, so I sprayed some red paint at those points. This gives me some peace of mind. As Clint Eastwood once said, "Every man needs to know him limits", lol.