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 > Landing Gear Problem

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Medicinewing

Bedford Va

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Posted: 08/26/08 10:34am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

As we were setting up at our site yesterday I dropped the landing gear onto the blocks as usual. It was level from side to side but low in the rear. I began lowering the gear and it bacame apparent that the left leg was not moving at all as the right leg was lowering at the normal rate. After realizing this I raised the working leg back up to the level of the non-working oneto avoid any binding. Before calling the local rv repairman I thought I would seek some advice from you all out there. Has anyone had this experience and how to did they remedy the problem?

donn0128

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Posted: 08/26/08 10:42am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

There is probably a tie bar that goes between the leg with the motor on it and the slave leg. Most likely cause is that the bolt broke or is missing.


Donn


JMTTS

52.1122 N, 106.5625 W

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Posted: 08/26/08 10:49am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

As noted by donn0128 - Check for a broken or missing bolt through the connecting rod near the motor. I have had it happen twice now and carry spare bolts.


J & M

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wittmeba

Roanoke, Va

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Posted: 08/26/08 11:00am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Here is a photo if it might help a bit while discussing:

http://www.atwoodmobile.com/Products/chassis/5wheel.cfm



Bruce & Carolyn Wittmeier
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silverfoxn

Georgia

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Posted: 08/26/08 12:07pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

The "bolt" that many speak of is, in most 5vers, is really a shear pin. It looks like a bolt but it is weakened so that it will shear if something is wrong with the slave jack dirve system. If you replace this pin be careful when you tighten up the nut because you may, part way, shear the pin. That may be what was done when the pin was installed. A bolt will work for a while until you get the right pin.


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timandsusan

San Antonio, Texas

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Posted: 08/26/08 03:11pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I had a somewhat similar problem this summer. The left leg stopped and the right leg raised the 5er for hookup. I hooked up and came back to my home RV dealer. The left leg just jammed and failed. When it locked up, the shear pin was sheared so only the right leg had any torque applied. It did lift a 2100# king pin weight with no realy problem--it sure looked shakey to me--so I got hooked up so I could drive 900 miles home.

seatboard

South Carolina

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Posted: 08/26/08 04:20pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I am curious, why are these parts refered to as,"Landing Gear?" Every time I hear someone refer to it as landing gear, I visualize a big OL' 747 comming in for a landing.





bearsnob

Oregon

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Posted: 08/27/08 02:24am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Once you replace the shear pin/bolt, you should run the landing gear up and down using the hand crank to make sure there wasn't a reason for for the pin shearing off. The movement of the hand crank should be smooth and fairly easy. If you run into an area where there is increased resistance, you may have a bent leg or some other problem that should be addressed before assuming your repair is complete.


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wittmeba

Roanoke, Va

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Posted: 08/27/08 04:25am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

seatboard wrote:

I am curious, why are these parts refered to as,"Landing Gear?" Every time I hear someone refer to it as landing gear, I visualize a big OL' 747 comming in for a landing.

I suspect they aquired their name as you only use them once you have 'landed' or stopped.

They do seem similar as the drop out the bottom of the rig like the landing gear of a plane. JMHO.

rouleau

Taylorsville(Salt Lake City area), UT, USA

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Posted: 08/27/08 05:52am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Ist't this the same term used for semi trailers?
Perhaps it came from there.
Bill

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