Electric Jack Problems

[Bergy]

Recently traded up from a Denali BH to a Voltage 3950. During the PDI I ask the dealership to walk me through the operation of the auto level, as our Denali was not equipped with this feature. Instructions were straight forward and demonstrated. I was on my way for a maiden voyage. We were staying close for the first trip, in the event of any unforeseen problems. I positioned the trailer into its spot, on a relatively level surface. Chocked the wheels and proceeded to unhook. Once the truck was clear, landing gear extensions lowered closer to leveling blocks, I pressed the auto level button and prepared myself to be amazed. The process began and appeared to be going along as it was supposed to. Suddenly it stopped, an error message appeared on the display saying auto level aborted RR out of stroke. I manual retracted the RR and place more blocks under it and started the process over. Underway again I stood by and monitored the display. Leveling front...leveling rear...etc. suddenly without warning the front of the trailer came crashing to the ground. Scared the s@#t out of me. The pins holding the extensions sheared! Keeping a long story from getting any longer, I was able to get the hitch high enough, using a king pin tripod and borrowed blocks, to hook back up. I immediately pulled it back to he dealer, thankfully close and still open. Myself and the technician spent two hrs removing the spring pins and putting in grade A C clasp pins from Tractor Supply. The lippert system kept giving us the out of stroke error regardless of how many blocks under the gear and sitting on a level concrete pad. I used the jacks independently and manually leveled the rig that way. Brought it back after the trip. The new heavy duty pins we put in, were bent! Has anyone else had similar problems? Is it possible to remove the electric jacks and install the hydraulic ones. I feel that these electric jacks were not designed to hold the amount of weight that they are asked to hold. Thoughts anyone?

[sundancer 87]

The only problem I've had is damaging a rear pin from not having it through the hole all the way. Other than that, none.

It's doubtful the juice system could be installed after the RV is built because of the wiring and hydraulic lines that probably pass through places where no man will go.

[DesertRat]

I'm If you have the automatic level system then it's hydraulic not electric.

[sundancer 87]

Originally Posted by DesertRat

I'm If you have the automatic level system then it's hydraulic not electric.

Who dared confuse you, me or Bergy?

[Thom]

Originally Posted by DesertRat

I'm If you have the automatic level system then it's hydraulic not electric.

I am with you, my 3950 has hydraulics. What year is yours Bergy?


By the way, I also came to the 3950 world from a Denali bunk house (326QB).

[Toolmaker89]

Originally Posted by Thom

I am with you, my 3950 has hydraulics. What year is yours Bergy?


By the way, I also came to the 3950 world from a Denali bunk house (326QB).

I think in 2014 is when they changed over . I have a 2013. 3905 and all mine are elec.

[Bergy]

Ours is a 2013. The jacks are electro mechanical. The square box style that have an extension you lower to the ground or your blocks before engaging. In 2014-2015 dutchmen switched to the hydraulic landing gear. These are the round cylinders (hydraulic Rams). They do not have extensions to lower. Both type of landing gear are controlled by the Lippert auto level system. Mine is out of sync and is putting to much stress on one or more of the legs causing the pins that hold the extensions to bend or break. Remember something is only as strong as its weakest link. If your rig has this la ding gear design, I recommend removing the factory install spring loaded retention pins and replace them with a 3/8" high grade C clasp. You can find them at tractor supply or Northern Tool or your local hardware store. I don't want what happened to me happen to anyone else. Thankfully no one was inside.

[sundancer 87]

Well there you go, two of us that really know we have electric jacks.

[MeanDean]

Originally Posted by Bergy

If your rig has this la ding gear design, I recommend removing the factory install spring loaded retention pins and replace them with a 3/8" high grade C clasp. You can find them at tractor supply or Northern Tool or your local hardware store.

Do you have a part number or a link to these. I've searched and came up with nothing.

Thanks.