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The RVer's Open Forum / GENERAL RV DISCUSSIONS / Store RV w/ hydralic levelers extended?

Chuck
User ID: 8868883 Aug 10th 8:29 AM
I read somewhere that while storing your RV for a prolonged period you should extend your levelers in order to take the load off the tires. I'm a bit ignorant about ydraulics but it would seem this would keep a constant pressure on the hoses, etc. Would this be harmful to the system? Thanks in advance for any responses.

Ernie
User ID: 1265504 Aug 10th 2:53 PM
Chuck that's a very good question. I have leveler jacks on my RV. Nrxt time I go to the RV storage yard I will get the 800 number from the instruction manual and give them a call.
thank you,
Ernie

Randy Z
User ID: 9544623 Aug 11th 1:18 AM
I have found that leaving the jacks extended for a long time can promote rust on the jack tubes and once they rust they won't seal anymore and then you won't have to worry about whether to put them up or not, they won't work. I think that it is far more important to simply make sure that your tires are properly inflated and not sitting in pools of water all winter. Many storage yards are dirt or thin ashvalt both of which can make little lakes where your tires sit. I make sure that my tires end up on four little mounds of gravel. Pieces of plywood, plastic, or cement paver slabs are no very good as they all can retain water. If you really feel that it is nessessary to take the weight off your tires use jackstands under the frame. Side note ... if you are going to cover your tires to protect them from the weather do not use plastic bags, they will trap moisture and make it loke your whole tire is in a puddle.
Randy Z

BobW
User ID: 9301033 Aug 12th 9:49 AM
After you extend the jacks, spray WD 40 on them. That will keep the rust away. You should do this anyway every so often. I think my manuel said something about doing that.

Chuck
User ID: 1035294 Aug 12th 10:27 PM
Well, for a change I used my head and thought, why not call the company that makes levelers. I called HWH and talked to an extremely knowledgable and helpful technician.. He said leaving the arms extended for a prolonged period will not damage the system. He did recommend operating the jacks at least once a month in order to keep everything lubricated.

Pete
User ID: 9544623 Aug 13th 12:33 PM
I full time and my jacks are extended for 6 straight months. I spray them once a month with silicone. Have done that for 6 years now with no problem.

Ernie
User ID: 1265504 Oct 9th 8:58 AM
Ref: HWH Levelers
I called the "support group" at HWH, and they informed me that it was ok to extend the jacks as Pete had mentinoed . They did recommend sprying oil and retracting and extending the jacks once a month.

Ernie

Harry
User ID: 0331974 Oct 11th 10:34 PM
In responce to this issue being a service tech. I have found more problems by leaving your coaches stored in the extented mood due to various if all of the following 1> corrosion on the shafts any pitting here will chaf your seals thus causing a leak 2> most levelers have return springs which if left out streched long enough will waken them affecting thre ability to properly retract your gear 3> high pressure hose's keeped under high pressure will harden and crack quicker and easier next time you that her out 3> if a problem does accure and only one jack retacts you do have the real possibility of tweeking your frame or other coach items such as walls and flooring.
harry

Chuck
User ID: 8548253 Oct 14th 10:03 PM
Thanks for the info Harry. However, it sure differs from what the factory tech at HWH stated. I was assured that leaving the legs extended will not damage the system. He did recommend operating the jacks at least once a month. You wouldn't think a technician from the company that makes jacks would give out erroneous information.

Ernie
User ID: 1265504 Oct 16th 11:01 AM
I am of the opinion that we are all right. The factors that we are not taking into consideration is what part of the country we are located . I live in a very mild climate: it might get down to 30 degrees once or twice a year. Summers are hot, but we have very little dust.
It's a matter of choice as to wheather or not to use the levelers to store the rv.

isa
User ID: 8973393 Jun 29th 10:55 AM
Perhaps the greatest benefit in leaving your levelling jacks down when in storage is the reduced weight on your tires. There will be less wear and tear on them and will last considerably longer.

Chuck User ID: 8868883	Aug 10th 8:29 AM I read somewhere that while storing your RV for a prolonged period you should extend your levelers in order to take the load off the tires. I'm a bit ignorant about ydraulics but it would seem this would keep a constant pressure on the hoses, etc. Would this be harmful to the system? Thanks in advance for any responses.
Ernie User ID: 1265504	Aug 10th 2:53 PM Chuck that's a very good question. I have leveler jacks on my RV. Nrxt time I go to the RV storage yard I will get the 800 number from the instruction manual and give them a call. thank you, Ernie
Randy Z User ID: 9544623	Aug 11th 1:18 AM I have found that leaving the jacks extended for a long time can promote rust on the jack tubes and once they rust they won't seal anymore and then you won't have to worry about whether to put them up or not, they won't work. I think that it is far more important to simply make sure that your tires are properly inflated and not sitting in pools of water all winter. Many storage yards are dirt or thin ashvalt both of which can make little lakes where your tires sit. I make sure that my tires end up on four little mounds of gravel. Pieces of plywood, plastic, or cement paver slabs are no very good as they all can retain water. If you really feel that it is nessessary to take the weight off your tires use jackstands under the frame. Side note ... if you are going to cover your tires to protect them from the weather do not use plastic bags, they will trap moisture and make it loke your whole tire is in a puddle. Randy Z
BobW User ID: 9301033	Aug 12th 9:49 AM After you extend the jacks, spray WD 40 on them. That will keep the rust away. You should do this anyway every so often. I think my manuel said something about doing that.
Chuck User ID: 1035294	Aug 12th 10:27 PM Well, for a change I used my head and thought, why not call the company that makes levelers. I called HWH and talked to an extremely knowledgable and helpful technician.. He said leaving the arms extended for a prolonged period will not damage the system. He did recommend operating the jacks at least once a month in order to keep everything lubricated.
Pete User ID: 9544623	Aug 13th 12:33 PM I full time and my jacks are extended for 6 straight months. I spray them once a month with silicone. Have done that for 6 years now with no problem.
Ernie User ID: 1265504	Oct 9th 8:58 AM Ref: HWH Levelers I called the "support group" at HWH, and they informed me that it was ok to extend the jacks as Pete had mentinoed . They did recommend sprying oil and retracting and extending the jacks once a month. Ernie
Harry User ID: 0331974	Oct 11th 10:34 PM In responce to this issue being a service tech. I have found more problems by leaving your coaches stored in the extented mood due to various if all of the following 1> corrosion on the shafts any pitting here will chaf your seals thus causing a leak 2> most levelers have return springs which if left out streched long enough will waken them affecting thre ability to properly retract your gear 3> high pressure hose's keeped under high pressure will harden and crack quicker and easier next time you that her out 3> if a problem does accure and only one jack retacts you do have the real possibility of tweeking your frame or other coach items such as walls and flooring. harry
Chuck User ID: 8548253	Oct 14th 10:03 PM Thanks for the info Harry. However, it sure differs from what the factory tech at HWH stated. I was assured that leaving the legs extended will not damage the system. He did recommend operating the jacks at least once a month. You wouldn't think a technician from the company that makes jacks would give out erroneous information.
Ernie User ID: 1265504	Oct 16th 11:01 AM I am of the opinion that we are all right. The factors that we are not taking into consideration is what part of the country we are located . I live in a very mild climate: it might get down to 30 degrees once or twice a year. Summers are hot, but we have very little dust. It's a matter of choice as to wheather or not to use the levelers to store the rv.
isa User ID: 8973393	Jun 29th 10:55 AM Perhaps the greatest benefit in leaving your levelling jacks down when in storage is the reduced weight on your tires. There will be less wear and tear on them and will last considerably longer.