Never crawl beneath a coach supported by leveling jacks: Chock the wheels, keep the parking brake set and use rated supports where required. A manual valve or hose change can let a jack retract and the vehicle move without warning.

Power Gear produced several electric and hydraulic leveling systems, so the panel and pump must be identified before following a reset or override. Still, one diagnostic split works across the product line: are all jacks refusing to retract, or just one?

Start with the panel and vehicle conditions

Set the parking brake, start the engine if the coach manual requires it, and verify transmission position. Record every panel light or alarm before cycling power. Low voltage can disable operation or create misleading symptoms, and some systems require more than 12 volts during hydraulic movement.

Check the chassis battery under load, then inspect the leveling-system fuse, breaker and ground specified by the coach builder. Fuse locations are vehicle-specific.

If no jacks retract

A shared failure is likely. On hydraulic Power Gear systems, official training material lists low fluid, a dump valve that does not open, or loss of the retract signal/control among the possibilities. Listen at the pump/manifold while RETRACT ALL is commanded.

  • No click or hydraulic sound: verify panel command, interlocks, fuse, control power and wiring.
  • Valve clicks but nothing moves: check fluid level by the matched manual, valve operation and pump/manifold condition.
  • Jacks start up, then stop together: watch loaded voltage and high-current connections.

If only one jack will not retract

A single-jack problem points toward that jack's return springs, hose, valve/coil, wiring or mechanical damage. Compare the stuck jack with one that retracts: Is the foot buried? Is the rod bent or dirty? Are springs broken, stretched or missing? Is there a fresh hose leak?

Do not pry the foot or pull a spring while the system is pressurized. If the jack is side-loaded because the coach shifted, stabilize the vehicle before any recovery attempt.

If the jacks are up but the alarm stays on

Power Gear training information identifies low reservoir fluid or a pressure-switch issue as common reasons for a jacks-down light after physical retraction. Inspect visually that every pad is fully up. Then check fluid only in the required position and with the specified fluid.

Do not add fluid repeatedly without looking for a leak. A reservoir that became low has a reason.

Cold weather, mud and storage effects

Mud around a footpad, corrosion on an exposed rod, thick cold fluid and weak return springs can slow retraction. Clean accessible dirt with the system secured and follow the manufacturer maintenance procedure. Do not substitute a penetrating oil or hydraulic fluid based on a generic forum post.

Manual retraction is model-specific

Power Gear manuals describe different procedures for electric jacks and for hydraulic manifolds. Some overrides involve releasing a brake or turning a valve, which can create sudden movement. Identify the jack part number, control-panel style and pump assembly first.

If travel is blocked and the correct manual is unavailable, mobile RV service is safer than experimenting under a coach that must move.

Evidence that helps the technician

  • Photo of control panel and pump/manifold
  • Which jack or jacks remain down
  • Panel lights and alarm behavior
  • Voltage before and during retract command
  • Whether a valve or motor can be heard
  • Fluid level and any visible leak

Repair boundary

Battery and fuse checks are owner-level. Spring replacement, valve testing, hose repair, motor-current diagnosis and manual brake release are advanced jobs because stored weight and pressure are involved. Secure the coach before treating any leveling fault as an electrical inconvenience.

Related RV Solver pages

Frequently asked questions

Why won't any of my Power Gear jacks retract?

Check shared conditions first: battery voltage, panel interlocks, system fuse/breaker, hydraulic fluid, dump valve and the retract command circuit.

Why won't one Power Gear jack come up?

A single jack can have a broken or weak return spring, damaged hose, failed valve/coil, wiring issue, bent rod or mechanical side load.

Why is the jacks-down alarm on when the jacks are retracted?

Verify every jack is fully up. On hydraulic systems, low reservoir fluid or a pressure-switch problem can keep the warning active.

Still narrowing it down?

The guided troubleshooter walks through RV symptoms in a safe order and helps separate a simple check from a repair that needs a technician.

Open the troubleshooter

Sources and review notes

Reviewed against manufacturer material on July 12, 2026. Match every fault definition, procedure, limit and replacement part to the exact model, specification and serial range installed in the RV.