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What causes a landing gear problem on a fifth wheel?

Customer Question

I'm troubleshooting a landing gear...

I'm troubleshooting a landing gear problem on a fifth wheel. When I extend the landing gear the motor seems to make a skipping sound and has a hard time raising the trailer. I'm trying to determine if there is a gear box problem or a motor problem.
I believe the legs are not bent, and there is no rear end jacks down. Can you give me advice in determining where my problem is?

Submitted: 11 years ago.Category: RV

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Answered in 10 minutes by:

8/17/2011

RV Mechanic: Randall, RVIA Certification replied 11 years ago

Randall, RVIA Certification

Category: RV

Satisfied Customers: 29,679

Experience: RVDA/RVIA Master Certified Technician with many years experience.

Verified

Hi: Thank you for coming to Just Answer with your question. My name is XXXXX XXXXX perhaps I can assist you with this issue.

This can be a defective ratcheting mechanism or some teeth that are about to shear off.
What is the brand of your landing gear system? Get back to me with this and I can assist you further. R.J.

Customer reply replied 11 years ago

Thanks Randall-

Part of my problem is I have looked all over the landing gear, the gear box and the motor and I see no label that gives me a brand. I've looked at a lot of landing gear that can be ordered and from what I see this looks like an Atwood. Are there any specific features that would help me determine the brand.

RV Mechanic: Randall, RVIA Certification replied 11 years ago

Atwood legs usually have a large "A" on the cap on top of the legs. Sometimes you can tell from the measurements. If the coach will lift with the crank and not the motor I suspect the clutch mechanism at the end of the motor. Go HERE for the Atwood Jack Manual which has all the measurements in there. The clutch mechanism is in the gearbox on the motor.
Get back to me with what you find. I live in Florida and am just about ready to call it a day.
I will check back in first thing in the morning. R.J.

Customer reply replied 11 years ago

How do I get back to you tomorrow? If I click accept answer does it close my case?

RV Mechanic: Randall, RVIA Certification replied 11 years ago

No...............follow ups are included in our fee. Just Bookmark this and you can come back to it any time. R.J.

Randall, RVIA Certification

Category: RV

Satisfied Customers: 29,679

Experience: RVDA/RVIA Master Certified Technician with many years experience.

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Randall and 87 other RV Specialists are ready to help you

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Customer reply replied 11 years ago

Hey Randall,

Hope you're available. I have gone allover the landing gear and see no labels that gives me a brand. Looking at the manual that you provided me, I'm sure my gear is Atwood. The motor diagram in the manual looks exactly like what I have. The composite gear box in the diagram also matches mine to a T. I measured between the legs and they are a 65" span.

How should we procede from here?

Thanks for your help

Rich

RV Mechanic: Randall, RVIA Certification replied 11 years ago

Take the caps off the top of the legs and look at the gears to be sure they aren't stripped. Then you can pretty much narrow this down to the gearbox on the motor. I don't think that is serviced as a separate part. It might still be under warranty so check with Atwood. Let me know what you find. R.J.

Randall, RVIA Certification

Category: RV

Satisfied Customers: 29,679

Experience: RVDA/RVIA Master Certified Technician with many years experience.

Verified

Randall and 87 other RV Specialists are ready to help you

Ask your own question now

Customer reply replied 11 years ago

Thanks Randall,

Looking at the parts list, I'm expecting that what you buy is a motor and it comes with the gearbox that is attached to it. Is that correct? There is the motor with what they call a clutch assembly and then the gear box that is a flat composite box that bolts to the motor.

Also, one question for you. I watch the motor as I press the extend button, when the power goes on, the motor shifts to the left about 90 degress as it starts to try to lift the legs.

Is that normal?

RV Mechanic: Randall, RVIA Certification replied 11 years ago

No..............are you sure it moves that far? Check to be sure you didn't loose a bolt out of there or something. And yes.............you are correct in the parts and I think that is sold as a unit. R.J.

Customer reply replied 11 years ago

Sorry just came in from checking it. It rolls more like 45 degrees to the left. I will be pulling the motor and looking to see if I can get one in town.

Thanks for all your help

RV Mechanic: Randall, RVIA Certification replied 11 years ago

Let me know how it goes............that is still lot of lateral movement. R.J.

RV Mechanic: Randall, RVIA Certification replied 11 years ago

Thank you for the generous bonus............much appreciated! Please tell your friends about our service here at Just Answer. Most of the time we can get you an immediate answer and save you a bunch of $$$ as well. Please come back again if you have another issue "down the road" and be safe! R.J.

Customer reply replied 11 years ago

You're welcome Randall, and I will let you know how it goes once the motor comes in and I can get it installed. I may have a question or two about the Norcold fridge in the trailer.

Thanks for your help on this problem-
Rich

RV Mechanic: Randall, RVIA Certification replied 11 years ago

O.K., Rich...............get back to me if you need more on this. I don't work on Saturdays.
R.J.

Customer reply replied 11 years ago

Hey Randall,

I got the replacement motor yesterday and installed it today. All is well, it lifts the front end up without a problem.

So thanks for all your help on this one, I couldn't have figured it out without your expertise.

I got a survey Email from Justanswers and will fill it out now.

Thanks again Randall, much appreciated

Rich

RV Mechanic: Randall, RVIA Certification replied 11 years ago

Thanks, Rich..............glad you got it worked out. Try to keep the weight evenly on the pads before you put the power to the lifting. R.J.

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