Troubleshooting Non-Functioning 5th Wheel Trailer Landing Gear  

Question:

Expert Reply:

There are many potential causes for electric landing gear on a 5th wheel trailer to stop functioning.

The most common causes are loose and/or corroded electrical connections, a worn out switch or a battery that can no longer deliver the required current.

The best way to troubleshoot the jack power switch and much of the related wiring is to apply power from a fully-charged and appropriately-rated battery directly to the jack motor's terminals. If the jack works when fed power directly then this tends to indicate the problem is likely to be in the trailer wiring or switch. Sometimes ground and power wires will develop enough corrosion to cause problems with power delivery. These connection points can be cleaned with sandpaper (to remove rust, paint and primer) and protected with dielectric grease # 11755. The grease blocks water and dirt from entering those connection points.

You can test the switch by apply power downstream of the switch (closer to the motor). If the jack motor works when power is applied downstream of the switch then you the wiring from that point on is okay and that the issue is upstream, in the switch itself or the wiring leading to it.

If the battery that powers the jacks is several years old then it may be the cause for the inoperative jacks. If replacing the battery with one known to have the correct current rating and that is fully charged restores operation then you know you just need a new trailer battery.

Our main pages for electric landing gear kits and for replacement parts are linked for your reference.

expert reply by: Adam R

0