How to Identify Correct Replacement Driver Leg for Atwood Landing Gear on 2002 Cardinal 5th Wheel

Updated 09/30/2013 | Published 09/28/2013

Question:

I have a 2002 Cardinal 29foot 5th wheel. It has been raising slow, so i tried to the inner legs to lube the screws. They would not out, but i found a large amount of metal rings in the tube, about 1foot worth. Do not know where they could have come from, but i think they must be part of the screw assy. The motor says Atwood, so i believe the landing gear is Atwood. If i were to order #71488 driven leg assy, how do i know it will fit? Thanks

asked by: Leigh S

Expert Reply:

If you have found metal shavings within the driver leg of your Atwood landing gear it does sound as though the unit may indeed have been damaged.

The Cardinal 5th wheel RVs are manufactured by Forest River RV. I checked the specifications for the 2002 Cardinal 5th wheels and there is no 29-foot trailer shown, but there are two model numbers for 30-foot 5th wheel trailers, M28-WB and M29-RLB. Unfortunately no specifics about replacement parts are available from Forest River without a model number and VIN.

However, based on the information you provided my contact at Atwood Mobile advised that there could be one of several different driver legs on your trailer. What they need to know in order to identify the correct replacement driver leg are two measurements.

Please provide: 1) the overall length of the outer black tube portion of the driver leg; 2) the distance between the two stops on the outer tube. If possible, and just as an extra confirmation for identifying the replacement, please provide the trailer model number and VIN. Once I have the measurements and trailer information I can again contact Atwood Mobile to confirm the correct replacement driver leg for your trailer.

expert reply by: Adam R