Leveling Jacks

[shepherd57]

I just bought a 1985 32.5 I looked under the coach and it has leveling jacks as stated on the build sheet. I looked everywhere but I can not find the controls for them.

Can somebody tell me where the controls might be located

[woodja]

My '82 310 has the controls on the floor to the left of the drivers seat.

[shepherd57]

And I saw a patch in the hardwood flooring in that area so maybe the controls are gone.The patch looked to be about 6x6 inches

[shepherd57]

Do you think that I might be able to find a set of controls anywhere

[Smartstream]

You probably would do best trying to identify the brand of jacks first. Then try a salvage outfit like Colaws. The original manufacturer may sell you a newer compatible version of the control if the original is no longer available. HWH has a lot of info on their web site to help identify their stuff.

[shepherd57]

I think this is the controls that I am looking for

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by shepherd57

I think this is the controls that I am looking for

John, as suggested try Colaw's in Missouri. Colaw's Salvage

If they have what you need have it shipped to my place and I'll bring it along.

Brad

[woodja]

Shepard57, that picture is exactly what I have in my 310---HWH

[Skater]

If the controls were removed, I'd wonder if the jacks are shot or something like that - I can't figure out why you'd remove the control panel other than the jacks themselves don't work. I have no idea if you can test them without the control panel, though. (This falls into that category of "Why did the PO do this??")

[shepherd57]

The jacks are still there folded up. The next I go to see the coach I will look to see if the lines and the pump are still there. When I went last week there was still a foot of snow and I couldn't get under the coach all I could see was the jacks. I checked with HWH and the controls are still available

Woodja How do the jacks deploy, Do they come down when you pull the levers and how do they retract

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by shepherd57

The jacks are still there folded up. The next I go to see the coach I will look to see if the lines and the pump are still there. When I went last week there was still a foot of snow and I couldn't get under the coach all I could see was the jacks. I checked with HWH and the controls are still available

Woodja How do the jacks deploy, Do they come down when you pull the levers and how do they retract

When you move a lever to lower a jack it turns on the pump and opens a valve allowing pressurized oil to flow to the jack. The small cylinder where the oil hose is attached to the jack, pushes the jack from the horizontal to vertical position and then the pressurized oil extends the jack to lift the coach. Moving the lever to retract the jack opens the valve and gravity and springs lower the coach and retract and return the jack to the horizontal position.

[shepherd57]

Thanks Dan

Do the jacks lock in the extended position when they lift the coach

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by shepherd57

Thanks Dan

Do the jacks lock in the extended position when they lift the coach

No they do not lock. They are designed fold in the event you forget and drive off them.

You are supposed to park with the rear uphill of the front. Raise the front to level the coach and bring the rear jacks down to stabilize. You can lift the front wheels off the ground. If you lift the rear wheels off the ground you just lost your parking brake....not a good thing. You can raise the rear to level but you have to keep in mind that as you take the load off the suspension, if you are on too much of a slope the tires will lose traction and slide down hill. This is another reason you park with the rear uphill, the jacks want to fold to the rear not to the front.

In spite of the limitations, installing the leveling jacks is right up at the top of the list of the best things I have done to the coach.

[shepherd57]

Thanks Dan
The next time I go to the coach I will check to see what is left of the system. I know the jacks are there but I don't know about the pump or the if the lines are there.The controls are gone but they can be bought new from HWH.

John

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

...This is another reason you park with the rear uphill, the jacks want to fold to the rear not to the front.

The same rear jacks on our 310 fold to the front as well. Don't ask how I know this

Brad

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by shepherd57

Thanks Dan
The next time I go to the coach I will check to see what is left of the system. I know the jacks are there but I don't know about the pump or the if the lines are there.The controls are gone but they can be bought new from HWH.

John

l

If you can't find used controls I would have a serious conversation with HWH about up-grading the control. The older controls operate each jack/valve independently which can tweak the coach. The instruction is to operate two jacks together...both fronts, both rears, or front and rear on the same side. On many flat sided coaches you can crack a windshield if you don't get it right. The newer controls will operate the valves in pairs for you.

I have not had a problem because my Airstream, and I'm sure others, has a very rigid structure. The last step of leveling is to walk around and check that each jack is on the ground. It is not uncommon to find one jack two or three inches off the ground. The coach is so rigid you can't feel it inside. The newer controls should eliminate this problem.

[Keyair]

Take a good look at the Classic sticky Shepherd57, there is a section with lots of good links on levelers.

[wimpy]

Originally Posted by Smartstream

No they do not lock. They are designed fold in the event you forget and drive off them

You are supposed to park with the rear uphill of the front. Raise the front to level the coach and bring the rear jacks down to stabilize. You can lift the front wheels off the ground. If you lift the rear wheels off the ground you just lost your parking brake

I'll admit I haven't read everything, but this has to be info that should be on some sort of warning sticker. It's definitely something I'd not have thought about.