Front hydraulic jacks keep dropping after auto-level

GregBassine

Well-known member
Have 2014 Bighorn 3260EL with Lippert auto-leveler jacks. We store 5th wheel on our driveway at home.
Twice now we have used the auto-level to level our 5th wheel and about 2 weeks later we notice the front of the rv is all the way down to the base of the jack foot (see picture).
2014 Bighorn 3260EL - Hydraulic Front Jack Problem.jpgIs this related to needing more fluid (seems to be ok upon inspection), or is this a more serious problem? Your ideas are of course always welcome.

Thanks as always!
 

danemayer

Well-known member
Greg,

There's a valve that opens to allow fluid to move from the reservoir into the jack(s). Once in position, the valve closes so that fluid can no longer move. If your jack is retracting on its own, either the fluid is moving past the valve unexpectedly, or it's leaking from the jack.

If there's no sign of a leak, you likely have a valve that is not closing fully.
 

GregBassine

Well-known member
Greg,

There's a valve that opens to allow fluid to move from the reservoir into the jack(s). Once in position, the valve closes so that fluid can no longer move. If your jack is retracting on its own, either the fluid is moving past the valve unexpectedly, or it's leaking from the jack.

If there's no sign of a leak, you likely have a valve that is not closing fully.

Thanks! Could that valve have jarred open a little? If so, can I use an allen wrench to tighten it? What's weird is both front jacks are dropping down. Is that usual when you have a leak or the valve is open?
 

danemayer

Well-known member
Wouldn't hurt to check with an allen wrench.

There could be some crud stuck in the valve, in which case exercising the jacks up and down might clear it.

The reason both front jacks are moving is that a single valve controls both. They automatically equalize.
 
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