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Storage on jacks?

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11/12/2013 10:00 AM

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Message # 1433380

Deleted user

We have a '99 Bounder 34J and full-timed in it for four years (http://www.cernek.org/). We bought a house about a year ago, so are now part-timers. We store the unit on our property, and have full hookups, on a concrete pad, so we use it as a guest house while not on the road. Question is, is it ok to leave the unit on the hydraulic jacks while in storage? What are the issues or concerns? Would it be better to use jack stands and retract the hydraulic jacks? If so, what would be the best placement of the jack stands?

Thanks for the bandwidth.

Last modified: 11/12/2013 10:04 AM | Deleted user

05/09/2014 3:45 AM

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Reply # 1550822 on 1433380

Deleted user

For jack stand placement, consult your chassis manual. As for using the jacks for long-term storage, I suggest you don't do that. Use the jacks to place jack stands, then retract the jack pistons. My reasoning is that the piston rods, when extended, are exposed to the air. The oil film will attract dust and grit, and when you do finally retract those pistons, you will give the rod oil seals a really rough time trying to scrape off all that contamination. It will treat the seals roughly, and might manage to get some crud into the hydraulic system. Sure, you might crawl under and polish them off before you retract them, but you might find that the oil film didn't protect the piston rods very well, and now you have slightly rusted piston rods. I had an engine hoist which I left exposed (extended) for a couple of years, and the exposed rod picked up a nasty layer of rust. Are RV piston rods stainless steel or nickel-plated? Maybe, but why test them?

05/10/2014 11:47 AM

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Reply # 1551358 on 1433380

Deleted user

Hi Ed, thanks for the reply.

Well, we left it on the hydraulic jacks last year and they still work, but who knows what long-term damage may have been done. We live in Phoenix, AZ and the humidity is low, so maybe we just got lucky.

I did have to replace the joy-stick control for the jacks because the drivers-side-front jack would collapse and retract after a couple of days, but I don't think that would have anything to do with the points you raised.

Again, thanks.