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Topic: HWH hydro suicide system ?? (Read 985 times) previous topic - next topic

HWH hydro suicide system ??

 My old girl has the hydraulic leveling system with folding legs . Bad. stuff happens with them . I used one time to almost level  and came back from dinner and the bus was moved 5 ft  and the legs folded under.  Useless or worse IMHO.
 Has anyone changed to  modern vertical style rams?
 If not I have a rebuilt pump  for sale cheap . freshly milled and always on Mobile one oil.

Re: HWH hydro suicide system ??

Reply #1 –
Mike,

For the coach to move, one would assume that the rear wheels were off the ground (if your parking brake uses the rear brakes) or if you have a drive shaft parking brake that one wheel was off the ground.

Our Foretravel had kick down jacks as well and never an issue-- though we never raised the rear wheels off the ground (if we needed that much lift, would drive the rear wheels up on 2X12's.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: HWH hydro suicide system ??

Reply #2 –
Both tires were lightly loaded apparently. Both skid marks about 4 ft long . My point is that the level system is a safty issue and I would like to remove or replace it, 

Re: HWH hydro suicide system ??

Reply #3 –
The idea of a jack that folds up seems hazardous to one (me) who knows nothing about them.  :o  :o

If you go shopping for a replacement system, here is one possibility:

Bigfoot AQ-DPA1 Class A Diesel Pusher Automatic Leveling System

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: HWH hydro suicide system ??

Reply #4 –
4 post may break the glass . 3 might be safer for the bus. ?
 Has anyone changed  to a newer system? 

Re: HWH hydro suicide system ??

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Protech Racing –
4 post may break the glass . 3 might be safer for the bus. ?
 Has anyone changed  to a newer system? 
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
The idea of a jack that folds up seems hazardous to one (me) who knows nothing about them.  :o  :o

If you go shopping for a replacement system, here is one possibility:

Bigfoot AQ-DPA1 Class A Diesel Pusher Automatic Leveling System



The fold up design by HWH was because people would drive off with jacks down and bend them. Replaced plenty of those.

Also, for clearance when up.

Bigfoot works, but have their issues.Specifically with the computer control. Neighbor had them, had to constantly reprogram them. was a hassel. He hated them, and rarely used them. Going to be hard to put a laderal jack under there.

If the jacks are failing, then the I would think a jack solenoid (or more) are leaking back through. I would also check the kick down solenoids, as the oil goes through them 1st.

The fold up jacks work great, I just wouldn't get carried away with raising the coach a bunch. Just use them to slablize.

Chris
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: HWH hydro suicide system ??

Reply #6 –
Never had a problem with the '81 it has rear jacks on the front and rear.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: HWH hydro suicide system ??

Reply #7 –
I have seen the 3 point jacks pop the windshield

Re: HWH hydro suicide system ??

Reply #8 –
On the 93 gv 225 we had them and were not an issue untill I forgot once and had the rear lower than front and as Brett said once rear wheels are off the ground , look out. They flipped the opposite way and not easy to get piston back into retracted position. Anyway they are ok and really not a bad design at all. Grounding wires have to be in good shape and contact for them to work.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: HWH hydro suicide system ??

Reply #9 –
I guess net net is if used properly they are fine.  Never once in 170,000 miles had an issue, BUT (yes, large BUT) if very far out of level with the rear low, and out came the boards.

It is actually a very good system.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: HWH hydro suicide system ??

Reply #10 –
I managed to roll off the back jacks once, yes the rear axle was off the ground though not for long. Rear end came back to earth with a loud bang, must say that it got my attention. Did a walk around then back inside and started the coach, airbags pumped back up and the jacks came back to vertical.
Retracted the jacks and turned the coach around, considered myself lucky and educated.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: HWH hydro suicide system ??

Reply #11 –
In all fairness to the HWH system, our four jacks "point out."  The front forward, the rear rearward so just so long as we're on all four jacks we can't move.  That being said we also follow the rule that the set brakes are on the rear wheels so the rear wheels set on the ground.

This is an older photograph, parked with the front wheels off the ground.  We've done a little better with blocks, once, but it was the same situation with the rear pointed up hill.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: HWH hydro suicide system ??

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Olde English –
I managed to roll off the back jacks once, yes the rear axle was off the ground though not for long. Rear end came back to earth with a loud bang, must say that it got my attention. Did a walk around then back inside and started the coach, airbags pumped back up and the jacks came back to vertical.
Retracted the jacks and turned the coach around, considered myself lucky and educated.
I was not aware that the jack knife hwh hydraulic jacks where put on air bag models, I thought it was just Torsilastic and Oshkosh spring models. You learn something every day.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: HWH hydro suicide system ??

Reply #13 –
My jacks all fold to the rear.  88 ORED on airbags .

Re: HWH hydro suicide system ??

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Protech Racing –
My jacks all fold to the rear.  88 ORED on airbags .
That could be a problem just waiting to happen.  Once we moved in, I spent a few evenings perusing the manuals.  I paid attention to the jacks, looking for locking pins.  As you know there aren't any.  That's when I paid attention to the direction of the hinges.

Can yours be remounted?  Drive shaft brakes can be "interesting."  Once upon a time I pulled into a gravel driveway with my Ford to say hello to some friends and slid to a stop with one rear wheel turning in the opposite direction.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: HWH hydro suicide system ??

Reply #15 –
Turning the fronts around may help. Someone did that to yours as having them pointed foreward would negate the drive off abilities.

Re: HWH hydro suicide system ??

Reply #16 –
I would NOT have jacks that fold in different directions.  Were the coach to move, you would destroy 1/2 your jacks.

And, even reversed, they are not much deterrent to that large, heavy coach moving if on too much of a slope.

Again, recommend driving the "low" wheel(s) up on boards to get within reasonable leveling dimensions before using the jacks.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020
 

Re: HWH hydro suicide system ??

Reply #17 –
I'm probably removing mine. The range is too low to be much use IMHO.
 I have a rebuilt pump for cheap . 100$