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RV Basics : Leveling a fifth wheel : electronic leveling and JT StrongARMS

Last updated on February 9th, 2019 at 09:18 pm

January 4, 2011 by Marlan at Rv52 1 Comment


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Leveling a fifth wheel - electronic leveling and the JT Strong Arms
Leveling a fifth wheel – electronic leveling and the JT Strong Arms

Open Range RV (now owned by Jayco as the Highland Ridge subsidiary) has a great video on leveling and stabilizing their RVs.

rv electric jack electric control panel for rv landing gear
rv electric jack electric control panel for rv landing gear

I tried to capture in text below what the video said. I also found the 5th wheel leveling video online AND I found the JT Strong ARM instructions as well. I think it is sometimes easier to read than to watch the video – but both are here for you in this post. Enjoy.

  1. Front legs – pull snap pin on FRONT jacks and allow jacks to hit the ground. These jacks are also called landing gear.
    1. I think you need to extend the jacks considerably if you will need to lower the front end.
    2. I think you need to make sure the electric jacks are extended a little anyway so you can raise or lower them.
    3. You’ll need to do this BEFORE locking the jacks extender out.
    4. Managing the landing gear relative to leveling your RV and connecting your tow vehicle requires just a little planning or you’ll have a mismatch on heights!
  2. Extend BOTH the front RV jacks or landing gear electrically
  3. Make sure that you hear the jacks snap-pin engage into one of the holes with both of the front jacks.
  4. Release the fifth wheel hitch and raise the front jacks enough so that you can drive the tow vehicle forward. Make sure everything is disconnected!
  5. Raise OR Lower your front jacks to create front to back level coach. Typically on level ground, this would be lowering the front jacks.
  6. Drop rear jack legs, by pulling the snap pin on each jack.
  7. Snug each jack individually by using the electronic controls and extending each jack.
  8. select the side of the coach that is lower (driver or passenger). Set the electronic selector to the lower side. Extend the jacks on the lower side.
  9. SNUG JT Strong ARMS
  10. lower FRONT jacks 3/4 inch
  11. Tighten REAR strong ARMS.
  12. Raise FRONT JACKS to original position.
  13. Tighten up the 4 front JT Strong ARMS.
  14. Extend the FRONT JACKS now. No more than 3/4 inch or so – just enough to remove the play in the JT strong arms.
  15. Turn off the control panel!!!

BREAKING CAMP!

  1. Loosen ALL JT StrongARM stabilizers
  2. Retract the REAR jacks.
  3. When the rear jacks are loose pull the pins and lift the jack extender completely into the jack.
  4. Retract the rear jacks completely using the electronic controls.
  5. Raise the front jacks and connect the rv tow vehicle. (this is a bigger step than I portray here because I’m focusing on the electronics controls and stabilizers procedure)
  6. When the tow vehicle is engaged lower the jacks to put the weight onto the fifth wheel hitch in the tow vehicle.
  7. Once the fifth wheel hitch is fully engaged retract the jacks electronically.
  8. When the front jacks are free pull the pin and lift the jack extension completely inside the jack.
  9. Retract the jack completely electronically.
  10. Turn off the controls when complete.

MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW THE REST OF YOUR RV CHECKLISTS!!!

  • Breaking camp checklist.
  • Leaving the RV checklist
  • Returning to the RV checklist
  • Checklist for Equipping Your RV for Living.

Amazon listings about RV leveling

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Filed Under: About RVs Tagged With: 5th Wheel, Exterior, Jacks, Leveling, Tutorial

About Marlan at Rv52

Marlan blogs about living in an RV. Small space. Not a problem. Its all in your mind. Click on my author link to find out more about what RV52.com is all about.

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