Front Jack Problem

[McIver]

When hitching today the drivers side jack would not retract although the other side worked normally. I was able to pull it up by hand and strapped it up fully retracted. Any suggestions?

[Rondo]

Dave, I'm assuming you do not have the level-up system on your 2010 3400. The shaft that runs across the top of the front storage area that controls the front leveling legs has a pin/bolt in it that controls or sinks the legs when putting them down or retracting. If the pin/bolt shears or comes out it does what you are describing. Check to see if that pin/bolt is missing or has broke off. This is very likely the cause of your problem. It is not a common happening but it does happen occasionally. I had the same problem on our 2007 unit and that was the cause. Let us know if that is it.

[jsb5717]

The exact thing recently happened to a friend of mine on his 2010 5er. He has an extended warranty from the dealer and they replaced the entire leg. Apparently the worm gear broke or came loose in that leg.

[McIver]

As always you guys come through. Can someone send me a picture of the top of that jack (from inside the drivers side propane cabinet) so I can see what normal looks like. Thanks a bunch....wife is tired of the rig being unbalanced (like me?) since I can’t unhitch and level fore and aft.

[jsb5717]

Is yours not intact? It shouldn't look any different. The issue would be internal.

[McIver]

If it is internal how does one get access? When I activate that jack a pin rotates but nothing happens. The housing is welded to the frame.

[jsb5717]

I'm sorry, but that I don't know. May need to go to a dealer or repair shop. I thought the legs were bolted in, not welded, but now I'm not sure. Perhaps someone else has a similar rig that can provide insight or pictures.

[McIver]

Double checked.....they are bolted in. With a picture I would know what normal looks like. I have a tech coming to my camp site next week but it would be good to have some idea of the problem other than”no workie”.

[jsb5717]

Good luck with the repair. My guess is that yours looks normal and a picture wouldn't be any help. The internal gears are likely toast so nothing to see.

[sambam]

There is a cap on the top of the leg that you can pry up with a screwdriver. It will give you a glimpse of the inner workings of the leg. By running the landing gear while looking in, you may be able to see where the problem lies.

[McIver]

Removed the cap. The gears turn but the jack itself seems to be detached (can be moved up and down by hand)

[sambam]

That sounds like the pin in the bevel-gear has broken.

[Rondo]

I think sambam has got the answer. It sounds like you are at a location for awhile if you have a service tech coming out next week. We had to replace one of our front legs in another incident on our previous camper while we were in Little Rock, Ark. What we did so we could unhitch and lever the unit, we took a hydraulic jack and built a crib of wood blocks, put them under the frame in the front of the unit by the bad leg so we could take it off the truck and then we built another crib of wood blocks up high enough to set the frame of the camper on it, thus being able to use the truck and also having the unit level on the campground. It does take a few 4X4 or 6X6 plus some smaller dimension lumber to build the cribs but we were able to use the truck then, have the camper relatively level, and Mama was happy too. If the tech cannot replace that worm gear and has to replace the leg, make sure he knows the exact part number for the leg because our tech there ordered the wrong part number leg and we had to wait another 5-6 days to get the correct one back to us. Good luck and keep us informed on how things go.

[McIver]

I am good, in place, with the truck hitched for another 10 days because we have another vehicle with us. The worry I now have has to do with getting repair parts and the time that may take. We shall see. Thanks everyone for the help.

[Carl n Susan]

Before the Level Up system became available, broken landing legs were a popular topic. I am sure a "Search" would uncover many, many posts on the topic.

But to clarify what you have been told, here is what we have learned over the years.

• The legs are bolted to the frame and easily removed. On the driver's side you will have to unbolt the drive motor before you can remove the leg.
• A bottle jack can be used to raise and support the side with a broken leg while it is being repaired. Be sure to use cribbing or jack stands to prevent problems.
• You likely have landing legs manufactured by Venture Manufacturing. They have a fairly extensive web site with lots of documentation about their legs.
• As you can see the top bevel gear turning but nothing happening with the leg, the probable cause is a broken shear pin under the top bevel gear. This is usually caused by over extending/retracting the leg. The are is limits on how far they will move and you need to be aware of them
• *ALL* of the pieces parts of the leg mechanism are replaceable. Venture sells rebuild kits as well as replacement legs if you are not into disassembling the leg.
  
• Attached are Venture documents describing the removing/installing of the leg and rebuilding of a leg.
  
• I have a bunch of Venture supplied documentation that I can email you. PM me with your email address (please don't post it here) and I will sent them to you.

Here is the contact information for Venture Manufacturing. They are easy to deal with and can tell you the time frame for replacement parts.



Venture Mfg. Co.
3636 Dayton Park Drive
Dayton, OH 45414
866-365-1957


I used to have spare shear pins but once I went with the Level Up I gave them away. Otherwise I would send you one. You should be able to find one, close enough to work, at a good hardware store.

[McIver]

Carl, thank you. You are the best!

[John Shasky]

Carl, I live in Southern AZ 45 minutes south of Tucson. I had a 2007 Montana and had to replace both landing gears. I have a brand new assembly for the side with the drive motor. I paid over $300. It has been sitting in the garage for over 4 or 5 years. If you can use it contact me? JOHN

[Byron B]

I had the same thing happen to me 2 days into our first trip with our used 2009 anniversary edition. Bolt inside landing gear broke off. 10 days later I got the new landing gear for one side and replaced it. 8 times I had to jack up the pos and block it to get out from under. 2 days after I replaced the leg, the board that operates the landing gear burnt up. No dealer in 10 towns in 6 states would order it for me. I offered to prepay so when they got it in they coulld call and learn where to ship it. Because the factory landing gear had only one motor, I played McGuyver and wired a piece of extension cord to the motor, bared the other two ends and held them to the battery terminals. Reversed the polarity to lower...
Got home almost 4 months later and my local dealer had the board waiting for me. I also installed a new Bulldog landing gear with TWO MOTORS.

[Carl n Susan]

Thanks John, but I am way past the old style electric landing legs. The hydraulic Level Up system is far superior and easier on my back and knees. But I bet someone else has, or will have, a use for your spare parts.

You could try posting in the "Trailers, Tow Vehicles & RV related items for Sale" category here.

[hawkeye]

One of mine landing leg would not retract I got a new one from Wal mart. in 2 days.