Where would you look for 5th wheel landing gear switch?

[RobertN]

Where would you look for 5th wheel landing gear switch? My 5th wheel has the external switch on a panel, that has an extend/retract switch and a second keyed switch as a lockout.

Tried google, but only came up with single switch.

Last weekend, was all set to take the 5th wheel on a short trip. Backed up to it, went to lower it, and nothing... The switch had been intermittent before; usually jiggling it would get it to work.

Still went out; I know my manual handle that is usually stored, works...

 

[Bird]

Sounds to me as if it would be one of 3 possible problems:
1) switch gone bad, possibly due to corrosion,
2) a loose connection somewhere, or
3) blown fuse, but I doubt this one since it had worked intermittently before.

But of course my experience is dated, so I guess you can take it with a grain of salt.:laughing:

 

[RobertN]

Fuse is good. Going to poke around checking voltages tonight. I think it is the switch...

Going to get an oscilloscope out tonight and check waveforms on the inputs/outputs. Well, OK, maybe just my DMM

 

[NewfieDan]

If you have an RV dealer nearby they might be able to help you locate the right switch.

It sounds like one of a few things could be happening:
-poor ground(corrosion at ground connection)- do you have any other 12V devices not working?
-corrosion in the switch itself
-poor connection at either the switch or the jack motor

 

[RobertN]

Everything else(12V) on the wheel works great. I had a bad ground issue a couple years ago; nothing worked till I fixed that.

The switch is on the exterior; I'm suspecting it.

 

[downsizingnow48]

These folks have fifth wheel switches. I have used them a lot for trailer parts.

RV Wall Jacks, Switches & Indicator Lights at Trailer Parts Superstore

 

[grsthegreat]

Atwood 70254 Wiring & Switch for Landing Legs 75391 Motor Kit Trailer Camper RV

 

[schmism]

my first choice for trailer stuff is etrailer.

https://www.etrailer.com/search/landing gear switch

 

[RobertN]

Here is the panel. I have power to the switch.

 

[grsthegreat]

If you have power to the switch, all you need to do is replace switch with a radio shack double pole toggle switch. Those ore on off on switches. Any electrical supply house will also sell them.

 

[RobertN]

Finally... got time to look closer at this.

Bad ground...!

Cleaned up a couple of the ground connections, and it works like a charm. Funny thing is, only thing affected was the front jacks...

I checked the switch voltages with a volt meter; got 12V. Checked with a test light, no light. Checked from chassis ground; 3.6k ohm...

 

[bajabum]

I'd get a rubber boot on that switch, ASAP...

 

[RobertN]

Ya I was thinking about that too.

I'd get a rubber boot on that switch, ASAP...