Hydraulic jacks

[Kathy Hood]

1999 Monterey, levelers alarm continues when up.  Suggestions..fluid, contacts?

[Gerald Farris]

Kathy,
There are two different "jack down" sensor systems that are used on Beavers. One is a magnetic proximity sensor that is located in each jack to sense when the ram for the jack is fully retracted. The other type sensor reads the fluid level in the pump reservoir, and turns on the alarm when the fluid is level low, with the assumption that if the jacks are extended, fluid will have to more from the reservoir to the jacks. Your coach probably uses the second type, so I would recommend checking the reservoir fluid level and replenishing it as necessary.

Gerald
  

[David T. Richelderfer]

When my soft, warning-bell alarm went on solidly once and when it has gone intermittently on a few times - usually over bumps in the road, I added fluid to the hydraulic reservoir and the alarm has always gone off.  Any jacks not fully up will make the alarm sound.  There is a procedure for adding oil.  You should read about it in your manual.

I have had to replace two (I think it was) short hydraulic hoses because of leaks.  The 2nd leaky hose caused the solidly on warning alarm.  Leaky hoses will generally leave a puddle of oil on the ground under the coach.

[Tic Wilson]

2005 Monterey:  Occasional bong when a road bump is encountered.  My manual says to extend one jack six inches and add Dexron III ATF until the bong stops.
My coach is set for 10 inches of road height and I cannot squeeze under the coach.  So I extended the nose jack (more than 12 inches) and added a quart of ATF.  I was surprised that this procedure was not user friendly.  Access is difficult.  Anyone know what the capacity of the tank is?  I think a dipstick measurement would be more accurate.  My manual also said to keep the reservoir full.

[David T. Richelderfer]

Didn't someone tell me or I read here in the Forum that in some coaches an entry step is able to be lifted to provide access to the fill port on the reservoir?  This would be a nice feature, eh?

I lifted the coach up high on the bags to gain access to the reservoir by sliding in on the ground from the curbside frontend corner.  The problem is you cannot tell when the reservoir is full until it runs over because access is from below the reservoir and its fill port.

I would ask, "What happens if you fill the reservoir with a jack extended?  The ATF needs a place to go when the jacks are lifted.  Does the reservoir fill cap have an overflow release?"

[Edward Buker]

David,

The cap is vented and it will flow out. I only fill with all of the jacks retracted for that reason. I have a 2002 Marquis and the first raised step inside the coach is the removable one. Not sure if Monaco carried that over into the newer chassis/body design.

I have also extended the cap fitting height with some plastic fittings in the reservoir top and that has eliminated the splash seepage out of the cap that always coated the tank and made a mess. I continually wondered if I had a seal going when I looked at the tank and now with it dry I can better monitor for that issue.

Later Ed

[Kathy Hood]

Thanks for all info.  We thought camping world had just done all our fluids and were therefore looking for other reasons for the beeping levelers..  But we added fluid and problem fixed.  We should look at our receipt from Camping World now!

[Gerald Farris]

Kathy,
Maintenance on a Beaver is usually above the skill levels for most Camping World techs.

Gerald