Looking for help with our new to us 5th wheel.

[MN Blue Skies aka Max]

We broke it! We had an "oops" on our shake down trip. Glad it was a shake down trip because in two weeks we hope to leave for a four to five week trip to the UP and Door County.

Warning ... I'm not mechanically inclined so I will try to explain. Thanks in advance for your patience.

We purchased a 2021 Jayco 321 RSTS and this was first time we've used it. It has an auto leveling system which is new to us. So ... one of the rear stabilizer pads didn't retract when we tried to move the 5th wheel forward. We pulled the 5th wheel ahead about 6 ft. with the pad down. It dug a deep grove into the ground. Now it looks like it definitely isn't going to retract. Possibly bent? Motor burned out?

DH was able to unbolt the extension and pad and possibly the motor.

I hope I've explained the problem. What are our next steps? Many thanks!

 

[MN Blue Skies aka Max]

If I understand this correctly, we can use a different type of jack so we won't have to postpone our trip?

However, what's the best way to determine what's wrong with the pad/motor?

 

[MN Blue Skies aka Max]

Maybe I/we should understand how this happened in the first place? When we are hooking up our 5th wheel, what are the steps?

 

[rgsauger]

The good news is that nobody got hurt and it’s not anything that money cant fix. When I hook up my fifth wheel, I retract all slides and take up all of the stabilizers bit leave the wheel chocks in place. I then extend the front jacks to raise the hitch to the proper level for hooking up to my truck. I then secure the rig to my truck and fully retract the front jacks.

Lastly, I will retrieve the wheel chocks and store them away. I do a final walk around to make sure that all slides are fully in and all compartment doors unlocked. The last thing I do is disconnect the electrical shore power and then store it.

safe travels. Have fun!

 

[Rene T]

and all compartment doors unlocked.

Just curious but why do you make it a point to make sure the compartment doors are UNlocked?

 

[SMR]

If Lippert jacks call their tech support, they are really good at helping with jack ìssues, one tech did a video chat with me so he could look at what was going on with the jacks.

 

[TonyL]

The good news is that nobody got hurt and it’s not anything that money cant fix. When I hook up my fifth wheel, I retract all slides and take up all of the stabilizers bit leave the wheel chocks in place. I then extend the front jacks to raise the hitch to the proper level for hooking up to my truck.

The good news is that nobody got hurt and it’s not anything that money cant fix. When I hook up my fifth wheel, I retract all slides and take up all of the stabilizers bit leave the wheel chocks in place. I then extend the front jacks to raise the hitch to the proper level for hooking up to my truck. I then secure the rig to my truck and fully retract the front jacks.

What you should do is raise the front legs just enough to clear the ground by an inch, then do a tug test to ensure the fifth wheel is attached properly. Better know then when the trailer will only drop a little, than on the road where it will do enormous damage.

 

[Kirk]

If I understand this correctly, we can use a different type of jack so we won't have to postpone our trip?

You could use some type of manual jack to level, but you won't be able to use the automatic feature. Most leveling systems do have a manual capability.

However, what's the best way to determine what's wrong with the pad/motor?

That will require some close examination and possibly mechanical aptitude. The motor can be easily checked by just supplying power to it and observing if it operates as it should.

 

[MN Blue Skies aka Max]

The good news is that nobody got hurt and it’s not anything that money cant fix. When I hook up my fifth wheel, I retract all slides and take up all of the stabilizers bit leave the wheel chocks in place. I then extend the front jacks to raise the hitch to the proper level for hooking up to my truck. I then secure the rig to my truck and fully retract the front jacks.

Lastly, I will retrieve the wheel chocks and store them away. I do a final walk around to make sure that all slides are fully in and all compartment doors unlocked. The last thing I do is disconnect the electrical shore power and then store it.

safe travels. Have fun!

Good information. We are always learning something new unfortunately sometimes it's after the fact. Too soon old, too late smart.

 

[MN Blue Skies aka Max]

Update: The shaft is bent and Lippert doesn't sell the shaft separately so we have to buy the whole right rear jack. Part 344792. The price is $623 plus shipping and sales tax.

DH was able to remove the damaged jack so I'm guessing he could install the new one.

Now I'm wondering if it might be possible to buy a used part or an aftermarket part. If so, I'm not sure if that would even be a good idea?

 

[SMR]

Check etrailer, Amazon or even a surplus store

 

[old RV guy]

Update: The shaft is bent and Lippert doesn't sell the shaft separately so we have to buy the whole right rear jack. Part 344792. The price is $623 plus shipping and sales tax.

DH was able to remove the damaged jack so I'm guessing he could install the new one.

Now I'm wondering if it might be possible to buy a used part or an aftermarket part. If so, I'm not sure if that would even be a good idea?

My experience has largely been time I got through searching out an alternative to just spending the money on the new part, I'd ended up wishing I had.

 

[SMR]

Is this it?

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Lippert/LC344792.html

 

[MN Blue Skies aka Max]

Is this it?

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Lippert/LC344792.html

Yep, it looks like the same one. That would save us almost $100. DH will check it out on Monday. Thank you!

 

[SpencerPJ]

Or Amazon. Good luck

https://www.amazon.com/Lippert-Automatic-Leveling-Replacement-Capacity/dp/B077T2T2YZ

 

[rgsauger]

Just curious but why do you make it a point to make sure the compartment doors are UNlocked?

Stupid Siri! Dang it. Talk to text is not perfect. All doors are LOCKED!

 

[rgsauger]

What you should do is raise the front legs just enough to clear the ground by an inch, then do a tug test to ensure the fifth wheel is attached properly. Better know then when the trailer will only drop a little, than on the road where it will do enormous damage.

I pull with a goose hitch It’s very obvious when my goose is connected and locked. Good point if I was using a fifth hitch.

 

[8Muddypaws]

623 is cheap compared to mine. Back when I could get them they were $1200-1800 each!

If they're not hydraulic installation should be easy peasy.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Have auto leveling on my rv. Periodically I have one of the rear jacks stick and not lift. I put it in manual mode to get it to lift.