Filed a complaint with NHTSA - LIPPERT Front levelers leaking

[HaRVey-THOR]

I had an alarm go off on the LCI panel on our 2018 Palazzo with a "Jacks Down" warning light. Fortunately it was still under warranty and it was only loose front hydraulic fittings, but the fact that a leak could have resulted in my Jacks extending while going down the freeway was more than a little concerning.
I called Lippert, who said that all 4 Jacks share the same system and needs pressure to retract as well as extend, so if one leaks, they are all at risk of falling down. They also said that the old spring retract system was prone to failure when springs age or rust. At least you can easily see a spring and replace it yourself, cheaply when needed and one failure out of two springs each won't allow all your Jacks to fall!
I am going to try to add retracting springs to my pads to provide a failsafe in the future.

 

[rynosback]

I had an alarm go off on the LCI panel on our 2018 Palazzo with a "Jacks Down" warning light. Fortunately it was still under warranty and it was only loose front hydraulic fittings, but the fact that a leak could have resulted in my Jacks extending while going down the freeway was more than a little concerning.
I called Lippert, who said that all 4 Jacks share the same system and needs pressure to retract as well as extend, so if one leaks, they are all at risk of falling down. They also said that the old spring retract system was prone to failure when springs age or rust. At least you can easily see a spring and replace it yourself, cheaply when needed and one failure out of two springs each won't allow all your Jacks to fall!
I am going to try to add retracting springs to my pads to provide a failsafe in the future.

That is great that you have springs, but DRV Mobile Suites do not.

 

[rynosback]

The site does not recognize the vin. So it looks like I will need to call it in.

 

[Cummins12V98]

My Machinist friend in WA just rebuilt my two front and two of the rears. The rears have QUALITY seals and he said they are vERY robust. Mine rears were leaking where the Glan screws onto the outer tube.

The fronts he went to a much better quality and type of seal as does Roberts.

It takes a pit to change out the fronts.

He also cuts off the foot pad adapter nut and welds on a new nut in alignment to the shaft. Lippert welds every one on crooked. Roberts does the same.

Roberts will replace the ram outer tube if the small return line is excessively worn at $200 ea. Problem is the wear will start all over again. My Machinist fried has came up with a way to keep the small tube from wearing against the inside of the silver outer tube you see. Another BIG improvement doing this upgrade the side to side stability is vastly improved!

Anyone thinking of doing this PM me. He is in NW WA.

 

[rynosback]

I will report back with my feedback after he does my front ones in a couple of weeks.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I will report back with my feedback after he does my front ones in a couple of weeks.

Copy Cat!!!

 

[Big Willy-THOR]

So how does he stop the wear - does he attach a spacer around the cylinder?

My Machinist friend in WA just rebuilt my two front and two of the rears. The rears have QUALITY seals and he said they are vERY robust. Mine rears were leaking where the Glan screws onto the outer tube.

The fronts he went to a much better quality and type of seal as does Roberts.

It takes a pit to change out the fronts.

He also cuts off the foot pad adapter nut and welds on a new nut in alignment to the shaft. Lippert welds every one on crooked. Roberts does the same.

Roberts will replace the ram outer tube if the small return line is excessively worn at $200 ea. Problem is the wear will start all over again. My Machinist fried has came up with a way to keep the small tube from wearing against the inside of the silver outer tube you see. Another BIG improvement doing this upgrade the side to side stability is vastly improved!

Anyone thinking of doing this PM me. He is in NW WA.

 

[Cummins12V98]

It's his creation so I can't specifically say what he does. Let's say there is more to it than that. Bottom line it stops the wear and does increase stability.

 

[cavie]

Why not just attach safety cables and quick pins from the frame to the foot pads? think outside the box! Just like safety chains on a trailer?

 

[wingnut60]

Someone did that before and said the system snapped the chains...

 

[Cummins12V98]

Someone did that before and said the system snapped the chains...

Only if they hit "EXTEND".

 

[rynosback]

Not at all. But with no irons in the fire, why add negative comments?

I have yet to see a motor coach with levelers like we have on 5th wheel trailers.
And I have yet to see 5th wheel trailers with funky springs hanging down. :whistling:

Thanks for quoting Bob. As it is the only way I can see his posts. And it just reinforces why I have him blocked.

 

[rynosback]

Why not just attach safety cables and quick pins from the frame to the foot pads? think outside the box! Just like safety chains on a trailer?

Our frame is not exposed up front, so there is no frame to anchor it to.

 

[Porkchop-THOR]

Oh my. I thought I was the only one.

Bill

 

[rynosback]

Oh my. I thought I was the only one.

Bill

Nope. I was thinking, instead of continuing to let them know that it is nothing like our system. As they seem to take offense to it and thinking that we are above them. Let’s just say something like Marco....

 

[Campingnut-FRF]

nope. I was thinking, instead of continuing to let them know that it is nothing like our system. As they seem to take offense to it and thinking that we are above them. Let’s just say something like marco....

lol...