2019 Adventurer Leveling Alarm Triggered by Bumps

[scorpionsix]

New to the forum and RV life in general. The 2019 Adventurer I just bought is tripping the sensor(s) over bumps as others have noted. The fluid appears to be full according to the reservoir but I'm thinking about replacing the cap with one that has an integrated overflow tube then filling the tank up to the top. Any extra will get pushed out through the tube and into a plastic bag zip tied to the tube (or something along those lines).

 

[creativepart]

Depending on the system you have the hydraulic fluid tank should not be changed or modified. You should try adding fluid to the reservoir as that is the most common cause of the alarm being triggered by bumps in the road.

The tank can appear nearly full and still be low enough that rough roads or hard turns can cause the alarm to sound.

 

[scorpionsix]

Depending on the system you have the hydraulic fluid tank should not be changed or modified. You should try adding fluid to the reservoir as that is the most common cause of the alarm being triggered by bumps in the road.

The tank can appear nearly full and still be low enough that rough roads or hard turns can cause the alarm to sound.

My train of thought is if I add a little too much and the system doesn't have a means to get all the fluid it's trying to get back into the tank, there would be a means to have the extra flow out of the top. I'll try adding a little at a time and see how that goes first.

 

[deckape]

Fill it when jacks are up . Cycle a few times and make sure with each cycle , the level is at the same mark

 

[scorpionsix]

Fill it when jacks are up . Cycle a few times and make sure with each cycle , the level is at the same mark

I am getting mixed answers on what fluid to use in the auto-leveling system. Different ATF types keep showing up. What exactly should I add to the existing/original fluid?

 

[RayIN]

My train of thought is if I add a little too much and the system doesn't have a means to get all the fluid it's trying to get back into the tank, there would be a means to have the extra flow out of the top. I'll try adding a little at a time and see how that goes first.

Only add ATF or HWH oil, never hyd fluid! Only add when jacks are fully-retracted, slides do not matter. ATF should be approx. ½" from top of reservoir, with jacks retracted/stored.
When you store the jacks wait 3 minutes after the store light comes on, or simply allow the system to time-out on its own. When you turn off the system to quickly there can still be a bit of pressure in the system, and a jar/bump can move the jack a tiny bit, which is enough to trigger the jacks down alarm.

 

[scorpionsix]

Only add ATF or HWH oil, never hyd fluid! Only add when jacks are fully-retracted, slides do not matter. ATF should be approx. ½" from top of reservoir, with jacks retracted/stored.
When you store the jacks wait 3 minutes after the store light comes on, or simply allow the system to time-out on its own. When you turn off the system to quickly there can still be a bit of pressure in the system, and a jar/bump can move the jack a tiny bit, which is enough to trigger the jacks down alarm.

I'll cycle them accordingly this weekend while at the storage facility then recheck the fluid level. It was more than a 1/2" below the top but, probably around 1". Still not sure with the ATF as there is ATF+4, various Dexron & Mercon formulas, Type F is definitely out though. I'll see if the cap has any info or there is some raised lettering on the reservoir.

 

[RayIN]

HWH recommends their special oil, https://www.hwhcorp.com/ml23835.pdf
If it cannot be found, the substitute is Dextron III .
HWH oil is clear so any leak cannot stain fabric or carpet.
This, IMO, is a great primer on how and why HWH components function.

https://rvtechlibrary.com/chassis/HydraulicsandHWHSystems.pdf

If contemplating switching to a synthetic oil, or simply replacing old oil, this is invaluable: https://www.hwhcorp.com/ml46791.pdf

 

[scorpionsix]

I picked up a quart of the HWH fluid at my local Camping World. After wandering around aimlessly, I'm certain the drivers side slide needs to be out to access the reservoir. It's nowhere to be found and I know we looked at it before I left the lot. I thought the slides were in at that point but they must have still been out. Manuals are too generic on too many topics. Once this rain blows through, I'm headed back out to test that theory. Was too busy with other things today like engine and generator oil changes, playing with some of the accessories that were just purchased and flashing the ECU with the 5 Stars tuner. That device has made itself known right away. Definitely more responsive off the line and the transmission is holding gears better. The true test will be in two weeks when we head west on I70 out of Denver.

 

[Morich]

One of the problems we often have is a lack of info on which exact RV you have. With the correct info on model and floorplan, we can often go to drawings that show the location of things like the jacks tank.
This is the parts catalog for looking at that sort of things and can be great or near drive us insane as it is grumpy as an old bull!

Winnebago Cortona Portal

cortona.winnebago.com

I pulled up the 30 foot at random and found this for location, just back of the driver's side front wheel and might guess it the same on all models??

Hint on finding if it is not here? They are almost always near one of the jacks as that saves running longer lines! Normally left or right nearer the front since the control cables have to run from dash area to pump!

 

[scorpionsix]

One of the problems we often have is a lack of info on which exact RV you have. With the correct info on model and floorplan, we can often go to drawings that show the location of things like the jacks tank.
This is the parts catalog for looking at that sort of things and can be great or near drive us insane as it is grumpy as an old bull!

Winnebago Cortona Portal

cortona.winnebago.com

I pulled up the 30 foot at random and found this for location, just back of the driver's side front wheel and might guess it the same on all models??
View attachment 2500394

Hint on finding if it is not here? They are almost always near one of the jacks as that saves running longer lines! Normally left or right nearer the front since the control cables have to run from dash area to pump!

I found it, and to be honest, the left slide did not have to be out. It was there but I did not look all the way down and in a little when opening doors. I thought it stuck out more but it was actually covered up somewhat. Put most of a quart of fluid in. It's now a 1/2" from completely full. We'll see how this impacts on the warning system getting triggered.

 

[RayIN]

I found it, and to be honest, the left slide did not have to be out. It was there but I did not look all the way down and in a little when opening doors. I thought it stuck out more but it was actually covered up somewhat. Put most of a quart of fluid in. It's now a 1/2" from completely full. We'll see how this impacts on the warning system getting triggered.

That's good. HWH replacement parts are now very expensive. I had to replace one solenoid last year- $500 ea.

 

[eaglelen]

New to the forum and RV life in general. The 2019 Adventurer I just bought is tripping the sensor(s) over bumps as others have noted. The fluid appears to be full according to the reservoir but I'm thinking about replacing the cap with one that has an integrated overflow tube then filling the tank up to the top. Any extra will get pushed out through the tube and into a plastic bag zip tied to the tube (or something along those lines).

I know its a dumb question, but is the leveling system off when you are in motion? The system should be turned off manually after the jacks are up. My adventurer will alarm if I forget to turn it off and go over bumps.

 

[Morich]

I've not looked at the exact drawings for the model involved but logic would say the alarm would still be active to alert us when one of the jacks was creeping down. Since the alarm for a jack down is not really important when not moving, turning it off when we are moving would seem to make the alarm pretty much a waste!

 

[eaglelen]

I have found the alarm goes off because the fluid is sloshing around and causing the float to move up and down. The jacks are NOT down.

 

[Morich]

I find one of the most common problems RV owners have is so common we ignore it!
Since there are lots of different leveling systems and small changes on each one over the years, I see no practical way to get good reliable info if we don't read the directions!
Simple things can seem difficult if we don't do the basics right and this may be one of those as what the book says is not what you are being told to do!
Your owner's manual is a good spot to go for things that may be slightly different on YOUR RV from all the other folks who are trying to help!

2019 - Winnebago

www.winnebago.com

A couple points that it makes very clear.
What is the correct level for fluid?

What to fill it with?

This means to me that you are likely not filling it full and what to use seems to be tranny fluid! Of course this may be different on different RV!
I find it important to know what is recommended for MY RV, not what is recommended for a different RV!
So if you are leaving the fluid lower than the book recommends, maybe the fluid is low?

 

[scorpionsix]

I find one of the most common problems RV owners have is so common we ignore it!
Since there are lots of different leveling systems and small changes on each one over the years, I see no practical way to get good reliable info if we don't read the directions!
Simple things can seem difficult if we don't do the basics right and this may be one of those as what the book says is not what you are being told to do!
Your owner's manual is a good spot to go for things that may be slightly different on YOUR RV from all the other folks who are trying to help!

2019 - Winnebago

www.winnebago.com

A couple points that it makes very clear.
What is the correct level for fluid?
View attachment 2502747
What to fill it with?
View attachment 2502748
This means to me that you are likely not filling it full and what to use seems to be tranny fluid! Of course this may be different on different RV!
I find it important to know what is recommended for MY RV, not what is recommended for a different RV!
So if you are leaving the fluid lower than the book recommends, maybe the fluid is low?

From a scientific unit of measure, my reservoir was a thumbs width from the top of being completely full. I added about 3/4 of a quart of fluid which cut the amount of empty space in half. Some has been pushed out of the tank as I have seen a little on the ground, not a leak as this was not occurring prior to topping off. The alarm has not been triggered since. I am fairly certain this case is closed. At least I hope so.