Front Jack Switch Melts

[GypsyFamilyRV]

I have a 2007 Keystone Montana Mountaineer. The switch to the front jacks is a standard switch (6 poles on the back), and when I use it, particularly to put the jacks down (with the weight of the trailer), one of the poles gets hot and melts. It seems its maybe getting too much voltage? But, I have no idea how to even start tracking something like that down. Any suggestions on figuring out why the switch keeps melting (getting expensive to replace at around $10 apiece) and how to track the issue down?

Thanks!

Sean

[JRTJH]

There "should be" a 30 amp fuse in the overhead (above the front cargo door) on your trailer that protects that switch from overload. That fuse may have been replaced in the past with a "too large fuse" and the switch is now "acting as the fuse" in the circuit.

Essentially, what is happening is that your electric motor for the landing gear is drawing too many amps and the fuse is not protecting the switch from melting. It's a problem that can lead to a fire or significant damage to the electrical wiring in your front compartment.

There's something happening in the landing gear to cause it to draw too much amperage. It might be corrosion in a wiring connection, bad brushes in the motor, corrosion in the motor, binding/broken gears in the "landing leg gear packs", a bent landing gear leg, or any combination of these.

I'd have it checked out, but first, locate that fuse and see if it's been "upsized to hide a problem"....

The bottom line is that your landing gear motor is drawing too much amperage (overloading) for some reason and that's what's causing the switch to melt. It needs some "pretty quick attention" before more significant damage occurs and the costs to repair go up exponentially…..

[hankpage]

Also make sure that your battery is fully charged and trailer connected to shore power or running TV. Low voltage can cause high amp draw. When you locate that fuse you may want to consider replacing it with an auto reset fuse of the CORRECT size.
As John said, on a trailer of that age many things can contribute this problem but the main thing is to start with safety first and check that fuse. JM2¢, Hank