SMC Jack issue

[LaMonte Monnell]

We have a jack issue at this time so have HWH trip scheduled for July in Iowa which will be our first long trip and vacation combined.

Happy travels to everyone,

LaMonte, Patti and Charlie Monnell
Weeki Wachee, Fl
2001 Beaver Contessa Naples 40' dsld.

[Gerald Farris]

LaMonte,
If your 2001 has the original hydraulic leveling system, it does not have HWH jacks. It was originally equipped with an SMC hydraulic leveling system. What kind of problems are you having?

Gerald

[Jerry and Kay Hudson]

Welcome to BAC... We have a 2002 Contessa with the SMC leveling system. please share with us the problems that you are having and maybe we can somehow help you thru it. I will send along the manual on the system and that way you can see what you have an if it is the same as mine. My jacks do not go to the ground, they level the coach against the chassis. Please let me know if you need help. I have two spare key pads and two spare brains (will need to be zeroed) in case you are interested.

[LaMonte Monnell]

I do have the SMC jack system. Sorry to confuse everyone.

Left rear jack has an internal leak, spoke to BCS and they told me no parts are available for replacement. Checked locally at hydraulic shops but none want the liability of removing or trying to repair jack parts.

So HWH told me that they can do an air jacking system tied in to the airbag system and disable, remove, and cap lines for hydraulic leveling  jacks so I will be able to still open the front slide which is in the same system as the jacks.

Seems to be the best option, and the price is the best quoted for doing it.

I have already had the LR slide come all the way out while making a right turn and could have killed us, not going to take any more chances with hydraulic tank being depleted because of a leak.

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

LaMonte,
If your 01 Contessa Naples 40' is like mine, the rear slide is electric, not hydraulic. If it moves when driving the motor brake is bad. or disconnected. Lift the bed platform to access the motor and slide assy. The motor brake is attached to the end of the motor. It is effectively a big magnet that won't allow the motor to turn until it has a full 12v applied to the brake. Someone may have disconnected the brake as getting 12v+ to it could be problematic in some coaches due to bad wiring connections. If yours is disconnected let me know.
Steve

[LaMonte Monnell]

Steve, it was the living room slide that came out on a corner......not the bedroom.....which is tied into the same hyd resv as the jacks.

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

I misunderstood.
Good Luck & welcome to the BAC
Steve

[MarcRodstein]

Have you contacted Lazydays or Alliance Coach in Wildwood FL? Both were Beaver service centers and can fix nearly anything.

[LaMonte Monnell]

Yes, I have spoken to BCS and had the Rv at Alliance already for the jacks. They were the ones that said I would have to have an air system put in by HWH as existing hyd system cant be repaired.

[Joel Ashley]

The HWH Air Leveling System is what we use and like.  But be aware that many people prefer hydraulic or electric jacks to the ground because they stabilize the coach more.  Some people don't like the slight coach movement that occurs when they walk around inside an air-levelied coach or when the wind blows heavily.  After all, you are resting on air bags and tires.  

We had jacks on our last coach, but prefer our current rig's air leveling for its trouble-free convenience;  the jacks on the old rig gave me a lot of problems.  A little coach "bounce" from walking inside is easily tolerated compared to jack headaches.  Not everyone here agrees, but my wife and I at least do on this subject.

Joel

[Richard And Babs Ames]

Are you going to spring for the Active Air System? If you do let us know if it improves the ride.

[LaMonte Monnell]

Joel, I tend to agree with you on this. I think we will be happy to just have the use of some type of leveling. We have been camping a few times with none at all because of the leak and it didn't bother us very much. But we have lived fulltime on boats in the past too so maybe thats why!

[Joel Ashley]

You're probably correct.  We used our small cruiser on long trips around the San Juan's, Vancouver's False Bay, the Columbia River and Ocean from the mouth to the Snake River dams, and Victoria area a lot for eight years.  Maybe sea legs are why air suspension leveling doesn't bother us like it does some folks.  

Joel

[Wayne Tull]

You may want to consider visiting the Herbert Hoover Library while in Iowa since it won't be far from where your work is being done.

http://hoover.archives.gov/visiting/index2.html

The Mississippi river area also may be of interest.

http://iowagreatriverroad.com/Home/tabid/1383/Default.aspx

The Amana colonies aren't to far away either.

http://amanacolonies.com/

I'm not sure Iowa is on too many peoples bucket list, but as long as your in the area these are just some to consider.  

Welcome to BAC!