Burst hydraulic line to front jacks

[Martinvz]

We had been traveling all day without any technical problems. We stopped at a small campground and checked in to our site for the night. 
While setting up we found a strong pine scent inside the cockpit area and my wife saw some smoke. Looking under the coach I saw oil under the coach and red fluid dripping concluding that a hydraulic hose had ruptured. Note to the readers: we have a gas coach and not a diesel. Further inspection found that there is a hose that crosses over the transmission that had ruptured, spraying atf. Subsequently, started the engine and checked the transmission fluid level and that looks to be correct. 
our conclusion is that it is a hydraulic line to the passenger side jack that has ruptured. We also found that the driverside jack had retracted about 2” while the passengerside is still on the ground. 
I had contacted Coachnet and they will be sending a tech out to confirm that the transmission is in good shape so that we can drive the 4 hours to get home. 
We have 4 jacks and they each have 2 return springs. My thought is that the jacks will retract and may leak some atf when we retract all the jacks. We can try and catch the atf into paper towels while applying pressure to the rupture point. This will then allow us to drive home on Friday. 
Coachnet is sending a tech to check that the transmission is really OK and that we can drive the coach. 
 

Any comments and advice will be welcome. 

[BradHend]

Not being rude, but what’s the point of calling Coachnet in when you have clearly found the source of the oil leak?

[klcdenver]

Cut the hose and get a hose barb splice and clamps to stop it from leaking. When you get home have a new hose made and route it properly.

[Martinvz]

Brad, I called Coachnet early on and found the other symptoms later as the DW and I discussed it and also investigated. 
Good question and no offense taken. I guess more investigation is needed before calling for help. That said, later in the day makes it more difficult to get a tech and it was after 5 pm already. 

[Martinvz]

Update:

The tech confirmed that there us not an issue with the tranny and we are good to go. 
This morning We checked the jacks. The rears were still on the ground. The front jacks were both partially retracted as the line was ruptured and the front jacks work in unison on the same line, as I recall. 
We covered the rupture with a piece of paper towel and then wrapped it with magic tape (duck tape) to minimize fluid leaks. 
On retracting the jacks all the jacks were fully retracted - hooray. The elation only lasted until the parking brake was released and then the Power Gear control panel then beeped like crazy. We know the jacks were completely retracted, some fluid was lost and that the reservoir needs to be filled. So we left the campground to fill the fuel tank as planned at the closest gas station. After less than 1 qt of Dexron the reservoir was full, the Power Gear panel was happy and the alarm stopped. 

We could now drive the last leg home without having to listen to the alarm for 4 hours. 
The coach is now parked and waiting for some more TLC. 

[RoadTripper2084]

On 4/19/2024 at 3:52 PM, Martinvz said:

We covered the rupture with a piece of paper towel and then wrapped it with magic tape (duck tape) to minimize fluid leaks. 

I'm assuming you meant to slow leaks while there was zero pressure in the lines?  I don't see how duct tape is going to keep a pressurized hydraulic line from losing all its fluid immediately?

[Martinvz]

Ken, your assumption is spot on. We covered the rupture to contain any leakage that could occur during retraction and while driving. Until the hose is replaced the hacks cannot be moved. 
My apologies for not clearly stating that.