Troubleshooting 5th Wheel Landing Gear That Blow 30-Amp Fuse

Question:

I have a 2011 Keystone Laredo 266rl 5th Wheel. The 30 amp fuse keeps blowing. I checked the motor and it runs. I can not tell the make of the landing gear. On the motor is a model number of 1A065012-02-0. My guess is that it is a Stromberg Carlson, but I can not find any brand name anywhere on the landing gear. I checked the bevel gears on the right side and they were fine. The gear box also is in good shape. I will check the bevel gears on the left side motor side to see if they are okay. I am assuming they are not...so I need to know what kit to order. Thanks.

asked by: Andy C

Expert Reply:

If the bevel gears/gearbox for the dual-motor landing gear on your 2011 Keystone Laredo 266RL 5th wheel were badly worn or damaged you would most likely be able to hear it. These conditions typically cause a good bit of noise as the jacks try to operate, especially when extending to lift the trailer weight when the motors and mechanical components are working their hardest.

If there was no accident or a definite incident of damage to the jacks then my suspicion for your fuse blowing is that the battery is not delivering enough current to the motors.

Any jack motor will use more power to lift than to retract since retraction has the trailer's weight working in the same downward direction. If the jacks will retract but not extend the this would tend to confirm that possibility.

If your trailer-mounted battery is the original or even one that is a few years old it may simply no longer have the current output required to make the motors function. When this happens the fuse can heat up enough to blow. If your battery is not fairly new and if it has been a while since it had a good charge with a shore-power charger like # CTEK56353 then that may be all it needs. I have owned one of their chargers for 6 years and mine has held up great, being in continuous 24/7/365 use on various batteries (cars, motorcycle, lawn mower) with no down time.

If you replaced the battery and did not use one of at least the same amperage rating as the original then that might also be the issue.

expert reply by: Adam R

Steven H.

6/30/2020

My son lifted the 5th wheel with it still hooked to the truck until it blew the fuse. We hand cranked it down to get it off the truck, but now it keeps blowing fuses

Chris R.

7/6/2020

I would start by checking your battery. Make sure it's still FULLY charged and in good condition. A lot of times a weak battery can lead to fuses blowing.