Landing Gear Replacement for 2005 StarCraft Homestead Rancher 5th wheel 290RLR  

So I was packed up and ready to leave camp... I hit the switch to raise my 5th wheel, when a clunking sound coming from inside the front hatch caused me to take a look at the landing gearbox and motor. It was dusk, I had no glasses on, but it was clear the motor was hopping and the sound was not right. The mechanic that just finished my brakes said he owned a 5th wheel and offered to help. The legs were not moving, and he said he could crank them manually. the fact I am a single female shouldnt be a factor, but I personally did not believe it would be possible for me to crank a 3+ ton trailer up! Although i had heard of it being done online Unfortunately, he did it wrong and took 2 pipe wrenches placing them on the bar that adjoins the legs and just as he was readying himself to crank I caught view of what he was about to do and I yelled NO! If u try to crank there its going to bend that bar! Isnt it?inch I didnt know HOW to manually turn the legs, so I allowed him to slide the wrenches closest to the gearbox. Then SNAP! AS SOON AS HE WRENCHED ON IT.. we both acknowledged that something snapped. I thanked him for helping and waited till daylight. I found 1/2 of a hex bolt no nut that I believe, should have been a shear pin? laying right below the spot for it in that adjoining square bar. I could only get the front of the gearbox off, yet... I could see no sign of broken gears!? Now, if I understand correctly...the pressure from the weight of the camper is preventing me from being able to remove the rest of it? So! The real question I have is... How do I know WHAT EXACTLY the original AND end result problem is?? Realizing what I believe should be a shear pin .was one of them. In the mean time, I used a jack and several 2x6 scraps to jack and layer 1 on each side at a time till I could hitch up and get myself somewhere to do the repairs. Not realising till after, I am probably going to need the 5th wheel hitched to the truck in order to get the pressure off the legs?? I used a mirror to try and see where the back of the gearbox attaches to the leg but its awfully crowded in there and I cannot see what I am looking for.

asked by: Misty

0