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Old 12-14-2017, 03:46 PM   #1
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Front Stabilizer Jacks/ 5 TA

Can anyone tell me what to use to lubricant/grease the two retractable front stabilizer jacks on the 5 TA. I assume a light automotive grease and that they do indeed require periodic maintenance?
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Old 12-14-2017, 03:54 PM   #2
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Can anyone tell me what to use to lubricant/grease the two retractable front stabilizer jacks on the 5 TA. I assume a light automotive grease and that they do indeed require periodic maintenance?
I don't have the 5th wheel, but I don't like using grease to lube any of the stabilizers. I just clean and spray them periodically with a dry lubricant. It doesn't attract dirt and gunk like grease does.
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Old 12-14-2017, 04:33 PM   #3
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Same as Robert, I've been spraying them with silicone.
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Old 12-14-2017, 06:01 PM   #4
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Can anyone tell me what to use to lubricant/grease the two retractable front stabilizer jacks on the 5 TA.
I wouldn't call the landing gear "stabilizer" jacks - it may confuse people.

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I assume a light automotive grease and that they do indeed require periodic maintenance?
Did the trailer come with a manual for the landing gear jacks? They're probably Atwoods.

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I don't have the 5th wheel, but I don't like using grease to lube any of the stabilizers.
The equivalent on the 19' would be the tongue jack, rather than the stabilizers.

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Same as Robert, I've been spraying them with silicone.
Which: the landing gear or the C-Jack stabilizers?
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Old 12-14-2017, 06:51 PM   #5
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Which: the landing gear or the C-Jack stabilizers?
Doesn't matter, I use it on both.
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Old 12-14-2017, 06:59 PM   #6
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Doesn't matter, I use it on both.
Same. Whether it's motorized gear or the stabilizers or whatever, I like the dry spray instead of grease. Works great on hinges and bike chains too.
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Old 12-14-2017, 07:59 PM   #7
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Dry Silicon spray it is. Thx everyone.
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Old 12-14-2017, 09:12 PM   #8
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Dry Silicon spray it is. Thx everyone.
The dry lube I use (the brand is CRC) on both the stabilizers and the landing gear is not silicon based, it is PTFE or Moly and after application, it leaves a film on the surface. I would think that silicon would essentially evaporate, thereby failing to be persistent. Incidentally, if either landing jack ever fails to operate, one of the first things to check is its ground wire. To access it, the side panel in the propane compartment has to be removed and the ground is attached by a slotted bolt/screw on the top of the assembly. The screw can loosen resulting in a lost ground. Because of its relatively inaccessible location, tightening it could be described as a “done by feel” operation.

Don’t ask how I know this!
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Old 12-14-2017, 09:13 PM   #9
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Dry Silicon spray it is. Thx everyone.
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The dry lube I use (the brand is CRC) on both the stabilizers and the landing gear is not silicon based, it is PTFE or Moly.
Me too. It's got PTFE in it, not silicone. I think it's called Super Lube.
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Old 12-14-2017, 09:31 PM   #10
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Thanks for this. Will look for it and especially grateful for the grounding tip!
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Old 12-15-2017, 05:36 AM   #11
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Landing gear failing to work

Just a quick question more or less related to this subject.

If the landing gear fails to work and has to be done manually, what does one use?
I know where the access hatches are for them, but what “tool” do you use? I don’t recall ever seeing anything, but thought maybe now is a good time to ask,
Thanks
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Old 12-15-2017, 05:50 AM   #12
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Just a quick question more or less related to this subject.

If the landing gear fails to work and has to be done manually, what does one use?
I know where the access hatches are for them, but what “tool” do you use? I don’t recall ever seeing anything, but thought maybe now is a good time to ask,
Thanks
ETI includes a small attachment, maybe 6-inches long to accomplish manual operation. Mine was in the deep storage bin in front of the door. I will try to get a photo in a little while when the sun comes up and post it but I would suggest you look in the bottom of that bin. This is testing my memory, but I believe that was also where I found the crank for the stabilizer jacks. As an aside, manual cranking is slower than extra thick, cold molasses in January at the North Pole. And you have to alternate side to side to raise or lower each side to a height relatively close to one another. So if it is ever required, having a battery powered drill with variable speed would be a big plus.
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Old 12-15-2017, 06:39 AM   #13
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Here is the promised photo. Now my memory is really playing games with me. When I had my Shoddily Constructed And Maintenance Plagued 19, it had manual jacks which were operated with a crank similar to the stabilizer crank. I did cut mine off in order to use it with a drill. It is possible that ETI did not supply this attachment (another senior moment). It does, however, terminate with the standard fitting used on landing gear jacks. These cranks are available from Amazon and probably any RV dealer selling 5th Wheels, and could be used as is or cut off to be used with a drill.
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Old 12-15-2017, 07:08 AM   #14
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Hummm, I thought we were to use the same jack crank as we use on the rear stabilizers to lower the front landing gear in case of an electrical failure. If it's something else, I didn't get it!
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Old 12-15-2017, 07:15 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by Chapitre View Post
Just a quick question more or less related to this subject.

If the landing gear fails to work and has to be done manually, what does one use?
I know where the access hatches are for them, but what “tool” do you use? I don’t recall ever seeing anything, but thought maybe now is a good time to ask,
Thanks

Here's the one out of my 2014. Donna, not the same tool as the stabilizers.
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Old 12-15-2017, 07:25 AM   #16
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Here's the one out of my 2014. Donna, not the same tool as the stabilizers.
Well, then what does the one for the rear stabilizers look like? I thought that was the one I used... I'm so confused, not enough coffee this morning...
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Old 12-15-2017, 07:49 AM   #17
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Well, then what does the one for the rear stabilizers look like? I thought that was the one I used... I'm so confused, not enough coffee this morning...
It looks similar in shape. The business end of the stabilizer crank has a hex socket. The landing gear crank’s business end has a slot. Take a close look at the picture I posted; enlarge it if necessary. And have more coffee; you cannot have too much!
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Old 12-15-2017, 10:11 AM   #18
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Like Donna I assumed you used the same as the one for the rear stabilizers. Then, I noticed along the way that maybe it was another “tool”. I definitely never got the one in the photo with the trailer. The two things that came was the one for the rear stabilizers and the long hook to release the awning. Have never seen one of these that you refer to.

I’ll have to contact ETI, or is this something you can buy at a camping world type place?
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Old 12-15-2017, 10:31 AM   #19
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Like Donna I assumed you used the same as the one for the rear stabilizers. Then, I noticed along the way that maybe it was another “tool”. I definitely never got the one in the photo with the trailer. The two things that came was the one for the rear stabilizers and the long hook to release the awning. Have never seen one of these that you refer to.

I’ll have to contact ETI, or is this something you can buy at a camping world type place?
Sounds like I'm in good company! I guess I didn't receive anything to work with the landing gear. Oh man, glad this was posted BEFORE I needed it.
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Old 12-15-2017, 10:44 AM   #20
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Sounds like I'm in good company! I guess I didn't receive anything to work with the landing gear. Oh man, glad this was posted BEFORE I needed it.
Hi: Donna D... Our manual landing gear "Crank" was found in the bottom of the forward pass. side hold. We rarely use that compartment as it is behind the opened door. Alf
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