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Old 02-20-2017, 03:33 PM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2015 Hurricane 32n
State: Georgia
Posts: 186
THOR #2983
Creaking jacks

With jacks down, it sounds like the frame is creaking when we move around in the coach. Anybody else have this problem? Know how to fix it?

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Old 02-20-2017, 05:51 PM   #2
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Brand: Keystone
Model: Cougar 30 RLS 5th wheel
State: Colorado
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THOR #2204
Do you place blocks of wood or plastic under the jacks?

If not you could be extending the jacks to their max length and
stressing the jacks so you hear the cracking sound as they flex
when you are walking inside the MH.
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Old 02-20-2017, 06:09 PM   #3
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2015 ACE 30.2
State: Florida
Posts: 262
THOR #1287
Creaking Jacks

Our ACE 30.2 has had creaking when the jacks are deployed (NEVER when they are not deployed) from the beginning--not always, just 90% of the time--but never when we would bring it in for service!!!

Interesting comment about the over extension, as I have noticed that the jacks seem to raise the unit up when deployed, rather than just stabilizing it at the drive-in height. We use the automatic setting to achieve level, which I have reset several times in hopes of eliminating the noise. It could be that the factory default is to over extend. Conversely, it could be that the jacks are not overextended, but that by raising the MH up a bit higher than drive-in height the creaks come from the chassis or springs. I can hear the creaks from outside the unit, just don't know what causes it.

Any further owner experience or input on quieting the creak, which sounds very loud at o'dark o'clock, would be most appreciated.

We use jackpads under the jacks, nothing else.
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Old 02-20-2017, 06:19 PM   #4
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Brand: Keystone
Model: Cougar 30 RLS 5th wheel
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THOR #2204
As mentioned if I use the auto level setting on my Hurricane it
raises the front end too high (wheels off the ground).

So I have gone to using the manual settings and place a level on
the floor or counter top to get the rig level. Works much better.
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Old 02-20-2017, 06:47 PM   #5
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THOR #1287
Thanks. My tires are not brought off the ground on automatic leveling.
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Old 02-20-2017, 07:47 PM   #6
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THOR #2204
Must be a Ace thing, the Hurricane does lift the front tires.
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Old 02-20-2017, 11:35 PM   #7
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2015 Hurricane 32n
State: Georgia
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THOR #2983
Our Hurricane's wheels are all on the ground. Jacks are resting on 3 inch wood blocks. Jack cylinders are bolted to their brackets with 7 bolts each. My suspicion is that Thor didn't torque the bolts tight enough and the cylinders are just loose enough to move slightly when the coach jiggles while moving around inside. When we get home I think I will get some grade 8 bolts to replace the ones that are in there and tighten them with an impact wrench.

Any other ideas appreciated.
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Old 02-20-2017, 11:42 PM   #8
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Model: 2017 Windsport 29M
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THOR #5196
If you are having creaking noises it is most likely the jack mounting bolts not being completely tight which allows movement in the mounts. I've seen, or heard, this several times. Tighten the bolts, spray some silicone around the mounts and try it again, this usually fixes the problem.
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Old 02-21-2017, 12:03 AM   #9
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THOR #2983
Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperD View Post
If you are having creaking noises it is most likely the jack mounting bolts not being completely tight which allows movement in the mounts. I've seen, or heard, this several times. Tighten the bolts, spray some silicone around the mounts and try it again, this usually fixes the problem.
That sounds like a plan. Thanks for the feedback.
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Old 02-26-2017, 11:24 PM   #10
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THOR #3261
My Challenger is a definite creaker, especially in warm day cool night conditions. Checking the mount torque is a smart idea. This post also reminds me about a purchase I haven't got around to yet that might help.

RV SnapPad | Permanent RV Jack Pad & Leveler
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Old 02-26-2017, 11:30 PM   #11
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Model: 2015 Hurricane 32n
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THOR #2983
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chip View Post
My Challenger is a definite creaker, especially in warm day cool night conditions. Checking the mount torque is a smart idea. This post also reminds me about a purchase I haven't got around to yet that might help.

RV SnapPad | Permanent RV Jack Pad & Leveler
Going to order SnapPads as soon as I get home. Picking up a torque wrench along the way. As best I can determine, 90 ft-lb is the right number (that is pretty tight).
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Old 02-27-2017, 01:33 AM   #12
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THOR #3610
Not a motorhome, but on our 5er they recommended with all jacks & slides (if hydraulic) retracted then remove 1qt of the fluid from the reservoir & replace/top off with 1qt of 15w motorcycle fork oil & then cycle slides/jacks 2-3 times to mix in the new oil & work any air out. Worked on mine, no more popping/creaking.
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Old 02-27-2017, 02:23 AM   #13
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2015 Hurricane 32n
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THOR #2983
Quote:
Originally Posted by Travelin' Texans View Post
Not a motorhome, but on our 5er they recommended with all jacks & slides (if hydraulic) retracted then remove 1qt of the fluid from the reservoir & replace/top off with 1qt of 15w motorcycle fork oil & then cycle slides/jacks 2-3 times to mix in the new oil & work any air out. Worked on mine, no more popping/creaking.
Interesting. Are yours Lippert jacks? Was advice from them? Thanks.
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Old 04-10-2017, 10:41 PM   #14
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Brand: Still Looking
State: Alabama
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THOR #3772
I have the same sound issue with my Hurricane when I am up on the leveling jacks. Thanks for the suggestions on how to eliminate them. I also have been told that the front wheels should not be suspended when I am parked - that it's hard on the wheel hardware (whatever it's called). Is this true? What's the point of having leveling jacks if you have to use those orange blocks?
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Old 04-10-2017, 10:55 PM   #15
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THOR #5196
Snap pads are a great addition, got mine last week!
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Old 04-11-2017, 01:00 PM   #16
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THOR #5246
Quote:
Originally Posted by Travelin' Texans View Post
Not a motorhome, but on our 5er they recommended with all jacks & slides (if hydraulic) retracted then remove 1qt of the fluid from the reservoir & replace/top off with 1qt of 15w motorcycle fork oil & then cycle slides/jacks 2-3 times to mix in the new oil & work any air out. Worked on mine, no more popping/creaking.
This was the factory fix from Lippert back in 2014 for auto level systems. We had same issues on a new 39' fiver back then when the temps changed. Researched the issue and completed the above procedure from Lippert, no more creaking. I doubt that mounting bolts not being tight or front wheels off the ground will have anything to do with the creaking noise.
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Old 04-11-2017, 04:18 PM   #17
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2015 Hurricane 32n
State: Georgia
Posts: 186
THOR #2983
Quote:
Originally Posted by Travelin' Texans View Post
Not a motorhome, but on our 5er they recommended with all jacks & slides (if hydraulic) retracted then remove 1qt of the fluid from the reservoir & replace/top off with 1qt of 15w motorcycle fork oil & then cycle slides/jacks 2-3 times to mix in the new oil & work any air out. Worked on mine, no more popping/creaking.
I got the same response from Thor. Guess I'll order a qt and give it a try. Perhaps they should use it as the factory lubricant.

Also, they suggested that too little fluid in the reservoir could introduce air into the lines and cause the problem.
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Old 04-11-2017, 11:08 PM   #18
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THOR #5196
Motorcycle fork oil is pretty much the same as the hydraulic fluid but has a lubricant added due to constant fork movement.
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Old 04-16-2017, 12:58 AM   #19
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2015 Hurricane 32n
State: Georgia
Posts: 186
THOR #2983
Added RV Snap Pads and replaced a liter of fluid in th reservoir with 15w motorcycle fork oil. I think the fluid was about a half liter low before today's siphoning and refill, so I topped it off to the fill line on the dipstick with some of the fluid I took out. Until the next trip I won't know if the fix worked. Update coming on that in a few weeks.
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Old 04-16-2017, 11:06 PM   #20
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Model: Outlaw 38RE
State: Texas
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THOR #2145
I have an Outlaw that makes the same creaks. After reading this tread I decided to do a search and this is what I found:

http://www.lci1.com/assets/content/s...heets/0295.pdf

Good Luck
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