The jacks that support your RV while it is in part are essential while you are staying at a campsite. Many RV owners have dealt with the annoying situation when their RV jacks will not go down, which causes their RV not to be sturdy while parked.
It can be frustrating to deal with RV jacks that don’t work as they should. But fortunately, there are some things you can do to fix your jacks so that they work correctly once again. In this article, you will learn more about the reasons why your RV jacks will not go down and what you can do to correct the issue.
Understanding Why Your RV Jacks No Longer Go Down
Your RV jacks are the tools responsible for stabilizing your vehicle whenever it is in park. That makes it much easier to use large appliances inside your RV, such as generators and refrigerators.
That’s because you don’t have to worry about them being unstable, thanks to the jacks. However, if you do not have the jacks in place or if they will not go down, you can expect your RV to, unfortunately, be unstable.
While driving your RV on the road, it’s not a big deal if your jacks do not come down. The main issue will arise when you are stopping at a campsite and are prepared to stay there for the night or a few days, and your jacks decide they don’t want to work.
What Causes the Problem?
The issue with RV jacks not going down is a common one and can happen at any time. There are a few things that can cause this problem to happen. They include:
- Leaks of hydraulic fluid could cause the jacks to get stuck
- Faulty or burnt fuses
- A breaker could have tripped or malfunctioned, preventing power from going to the system that operates the jacks.
- Parking in a cold and rainy environment can cause the jacks to fail
- Not having enough voltage can also cause the issue
- The parking brake can cause RV jacks to stick in the RV
It is very common for campers to experience these issues, which can cause their jacks not to work correctly. Now that you know a little more about what causes RV jacks to become stuck, it is time to learn how to fix the issue and enjoy all the benefits of camping in your RV once again.
How to Fix Your RV Jacks if They Will Not Go Down
When you are faced with an issue such as your RV jacks not lowering, it may leave you feeling hopeless, especially if you are parked at a campsite far away from home. But the good news is it is easy to resolve this problem; here are a few solutions to the issue that will allow you to quickly solve the problem so you can get back to enjoying the great outdoors.
What Tools Will You Need?
The tools you will need to fix your issue with your RV jacks not coming down include a wrench, a fuse tester, an electrical tester, and an RV user manual. Once you have gathered all the tools you will need, it is time to look at the different methods available to fix the issue.
Fix the Fuses
Most of the time, your RV jacks will not work as they should because a fuse has blown or has tripped. If that is the case, you will need to fix your fuses. To do this, first, you should turn on the switch used to bring your jacks down.
Then you should try to identify which fuses are bad using a fuse tester. To find the fuse that powers your RV’s jacks, you do a quick online search by typing in the levelling system’s model and the HWH.
Once you have found the damaged fuses, you can replace them quickly. Fortunately, replacing your fuses is an easy task that will not cost a lot of money.
Check Your Hydraulic Fluid
When your jacks will not work and you’ve already checked the fuses, your next step is to check your hydraulic fluid levels. You will need to make sure you have enough fluid in the reservoir. People often forget to check their hydraulic levels, especially if their jacks are working fine.
It’s a good idea to check these levels occasionally even if there are no problems so you will know when to fill up before the reservoir gets too low. And if you are running low on refills, don’t worry; you don’t need a full tank for your RV jacks to work again.
As long as the fluid is on the level line of the reservoir, you should be fine.
Make Sure You Have the Right Amount of Voltage
If you do not have enough voltage or power, you will not be able to lower your RV jacks. If you are experiencing a problem with your RV jacks not working, you need to check to ensure you have enough power by checking the electrical breakers and your batteries.
Inspecting the voltage will help you understand if you have enough power to get the job done. You can use an electrical tester on the market to check your voltage.
FAQs
Rv jacks are quite the debated topic, so we’ve rounded up some other questions we frequently get asked below. If you have any other questions you would like to see featured then please contact us here.
Can I Manually Lower Electric Stabilizer Jacks?
It is possible to manually lower your RV’s jacks if they are no longer working. First, you will need to disconnect the wire connected to the motor and insert a crank handle to the coupler and pin of the end of the jack. Then you will need to rotate the handle clockwise so that the jack will extend. You can rotate the end counterclockwise, and it will retract the jack.
Why Does my RV Rock So Much?
If your jacks are not entirely down all the way, they will not provide you with the optimal amount of stability.
Where Do You Place a Jack in a Camper?
It is best to place a jack on the axle of your RV and then jack the vehicle up until it lifts off.
Final Thoughts
We hope that these tips will help you get your RV’s jacks working as they should once again. These tasks are simple enough for most people to perform on their own. Still, if you are uncertain of your ability to check the voltage or your hydraulic fluid levels, it is recommended that you contact a professional for assistance.