Popping noise - I've had it checked by dealer

funntheson

Well-known member
Well, last time I was out I was in two spots for 5 days each. Both places had loose rock. Temps from 40-80, no popping.
 

MTPockets

Well-known member
I've heard that popping sound and it may be hydraulics, but I'm not 100% on that. I'm leaning some to where the house is bolted to the frame, the temperature swings cause contraction and expansion of the whole rig, but at different rates - thus movement and a sudden release, or a pop...
 

marvmarcy

Well-known member
All rigs (trailers or motorhomes) are made up of many parts with different rates of contraction and expansion, fastened together so they must move slightly against each other as temperatures change. This can cause noises, and I've personally experienced this over my 35 years of rving. We currently hear popping from the hydraulic jacks, but also from the suspension, stabilizers, frame and walls. Each has its unique sound. We hear them all, especially when there are rapid and significant temperature changes. Intense sun, such as we are experiencing during the day here in the Colorado high country, when contrasted to the rapid radiational cooling after the sun sets, causes many noises as different components expand or contract and shift at different rates. Some noises can be alleviated, some cannot. We hope the designers and manufacturers provide cushions between parts to reduce or eliminate these noises, but that is not always possible. We have reduced the hydraulic jack noise but not eliminated it yet, and we seem to be dealing with complex causes and sources. Lippert is actively involved in resolving these issues with us and has even come to our campsite to investigate the issues. I'm truly convinced Lippert considers this a very high priority, and I'm confident they will resolve the issues.
 

Ray LeTourneau

Senior Member - Past Moderator
I've heard that popping sound and it may be hydraulics, but I'm not 100% on that. I'm leaning some to where the house is bolted to the frame, the temperature swings cause contraction and expansion of the whole rig, but at different rates - thus movement and a sudden release, or a pop...

You may be right but there has never been any comments that I can remember until the introduction of the newest version of the hydraulic jack system from Lippert. The ones that have the 5 degree angle on the front landing gear.
 

jbeletti

Well-known member
All rigs (trailers or motorhomes) are made up of many parts with different rates of contraction and expansion, fastened together so they must move slightly against each other as temperatures change. This can cause noises, and I've personally experienced this over my 35 years of rving. We currently hear popping from the hydraulic jacks, but also from the suspension, stabilizers, frame and walls. Each has its unique sound. We hear them all, especially when there are rapid and significant temperature changes. Intense sun, such as we are experiencing during the day here in the Colorado high country, when contrasted to the rapid radiational cooling after the sun sets, causes many noises as different components expand or contract and shift at different rates. Some noises can be alleviated, some cannot. We hope the designers and manufacturers provide cushions between parts to reduce or eliminate these noises, but that is not always possible. We have reduced the hydraulic jack noise but not eliminated it yet, and we seem to be dealing with complex causes and sources. Lippert is actively involved in resolving these issues with us and has even come to our campsite to investigate the issues. I'm truly convinced Lippert considers this a very high priority, and I'm confident they will resolve the issues.

Marv and Connie,

Thank you for this explanation. I believe it to be accurate and it's certainly a complex situation. Could even be that some who think they have hydraulic jack popping are actually hearing something else.

Bob Tiedge (Lippert) told me that he was flying to CO to visiting you. I'm pleased that he did. I'm here in Goshen and he wants to meet with me to give me some updates. Hoping to hear good news.

Jim
 

kakampers

Past Heartland Ambassador
You may be right but there has never been any comments that I can remember until the introduction of the newest version of the hydraulic jack system from Lippert. The ones that have the 5 degree angle on the front landing gear.

Ray...the original upfit that Trail air did on our Bighorn back in 2009 popped like crazy, and there was no angle whatever to our legs.
 

Ray LeTourneau

Senior Member - Past Moderator
Ray...the original upfit that Trail air did on our Bighorn back in 2009 popped like crazy, and there was no angle whatever to our legs.
As mentioned, "that I can remember":eek:. Do you remember posting any comments about it back then? :confused: Did the popping continue in the Bighorn till you got the Landmark? Just curious because I don't know if the legs back then were angled. I know the hydraulic cylinders were much different.
 

kakampers

Past Heartland Ambassador
Didn't post much we were about the only ones with it. Had the Mobile Suite front legs but they were not angled.

We had the most issues when on our concrete lot it Mission. After about a year I realized the lot was angled for drainage and the popping was always on the low side. Pulled up jacks and added additional solid blocking (6×6's) on the low side and it never made a other sound. Have continued this blocking process ever since, even on the Landmark...have to thankfully never heard another sound out of either rig.
 

Mizmary

Well-known member
Just a note. We hear popping in our cyclone. We have hydraulic front legs- but don't have the level up. We also didn't put the pads under our front jacks like we normally do. The popping is definitely worse when there are large temperature swings. I'm not concerned. Houses creak and groan too.
 

danemayer

Well-known member
I added the treatment to our Landmark before our current trip, but we've only been on the road for a week so it's a little early to declare victory.
 

murry135

New York Chapter Leaders - retired
I put it in two weeks ago and haven't camp much since but early results seemed positive. Also don't run your slides out and stress hydraulic pump. After sliding out brief tap inward takes off the excess hydralic line pressure. 1800lbs. Of pressure at max. This may also be a cause during temp changes.

Murry135/Capt. Wingnut
 

jayc

Legendary Member
Mine was done on Friday of the rally and we've moved to the Heartland Resort in Greenfield IN. So far, NO POPPING !

So far, so good!!
 

murry135

New York Chapter Leaders - retired
Ours is 99% better the occasional pop but not evenas loud or hard as the ones before. More of a creek now and very seldom or not at all. I was wondering if a second dose would be the total fix for this. I also back the hydralic slide is a tweek after opening them to reduce the line pressure when you open them all the way. Just a "TWEEK," quick tap of switch or tool being used at time of major repairs or improvements, Websters by Murry.
 

jbeletti

Well-known member
Jim,

Wondering if the occasional sound is just the floor or frame squeaking and not the hydraulic jacks? Happy to hear the magic juice has eliminated 99 to 100% of your odd sounds.
 

jayc

Legendary Member
Murry135, my unit got a second dose but it was by accident. While at the rally in Goshen, the techs came out and did the first one but then returned for a second day and made a mistake on site numbers and added the second dose that was intended for Duane (Porthole). He later got his too.
 

hoopers2

Member
Well, I have had my RFF in for about a month now, with many camp trips under my belt.

At first, the popping went away. Now the popping is back, though much less. Always is the evenings.

As a sidenote, and not sure if this affects the popping, but I have a hydraulic leak in one of the slides. It is in the shop as I am writing this post. I may post a separate thread, depending what I find out.

Originally, I added RFF 7 per Lippert's recommendation. Now, as I believe I will be adding more because of my leak, the Lippert tech recommended RFF 15.

Further, the tech (Mike was his name at Lippert customer service line) told me a procedure to get the RFF to mix better. He told me over the phone a procedure to use to slowly add the fluid...this is in combination with raising the trailer up using the 6 point system. I will let folks call on their own and get the procedure, as I don't want to make anybody do the wrong thing, because I wrote it down wrong.

P.S. It would be nice if Heartland dealers could add the RFF under some type of service writeup.
 
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