Zaxis Frequently Asked Questions: Why is it called Zaxis?

When we first conceived of the Zaxis Landing Gear Remote Control, we realized that a 5th wheel owner already had control of the hitching process in the X axis (forward and backward) and the Y axis (side to side) from the front seat of the tow vehicle. What was missing was control of the Z axis (up and down.) We were working to provide a convenient way to control that missing axis. So we began to refer to the new product as Zaxis and the name stuck.

What is "Rolling Code" security?

Zaxis employs the Microchip KEELOQ system, better known as "rolling code." What this does is simply present a different code every time a keychain transmitter button is pressed. The really clever part is that the receiver "learns" the algorithm which controls the code so it knows what code to expect. Once learned, the receiver is effectively "locked" to that keychain transmitter. The transmitted code is, for all intents and purposes, random. But the receiver can still work out what the code is going to be in advance. If it gets the right code, it actuates, if not it doesn't. The chances of the same code being transmitted twice in a person’s lifetime is possible though unlikely. At four transmissions per day, every day, it would take about 44 years to transmit the same code twice.

Sometimes my Zaxis will only activate for a few seconds and then shuts down. Why?

This behavior is usually seen when your RV has been in storage and the house battery is nearly discharged. When you press one of the Zaxis keychain transmitter buttons, the Zaxis receiver activates the landing gear motor which in turn draws the house battery voltage down below a usable threshold and this causes the Zaxis receiver to shut down the landing gear motor. Once the house battery is recharged, the voltage will remain at a usable level even under load and the Zaxis receiver will remain active.

Where should I install my Zaxis receiver for the best performance?

Also, try to install the Zaxis receiver so that the antenna is in an upright position and is not too close to any large metallic objects such as the RV's chassis which can reflect or absorb the incoming radio signal.

My Zaxis retracts the landing gear ok, but when extending the landing gear it only works for a few seconds then shuts down. Why?

This usually happens when the Zaxis receiver is installed too close to the landing gear motor. The landing gear motor can generate a great deal of radio interference when it is under a heavy load raising the 5th wheel.

Brand new landing gear motors are particularly prone to generating radio interference if they have not been run long enough to seat the brushes to the commutator. This problem often disappears once the brushes have seated themselves.

If the motor brushes are seated to the commutator and this problem persists, the Zaxis receiver may have to be moved farther away from the landing gear motor.

How long will my Zaxis keychain transmitter battery last?

Your keychain transmitter comes equipped with a GP23A Alkaline 12 volt battery which typically  provides about 5 hours of transmission time. Since you use the keychain transmitter for less than one minute for each hitch up, the battery should last for more than 300 uses.  Alternately you can use a GP23AE battery which will provide about 6 1/2 hours of transmission time.

My 5th wheel has manual landing gear. Can I still use the Zaxis?

The Zaxis Landing Gear Remote Control is an add-on to 5th wheels that already have electrically powered landing gear. You will need to have your 5th wheel upgraded to electrically operated landing gear before you install the Zaxis Landing Gear Remote Control.

Can the Zaxis be used in applications other than landing gear remote control?

The Zaxis Landing Gear Remote Control is at its core an extremely secure, momentary contact, reversible polarity, remote control with high power handling capability. It can be used to provide momentary normal and reverse polarity power to any 12 volt load up to 30 amps. This means that you could use the Zaxis to remotely control other RV systems such as electric tongue jacks, reversible hydraulic pumps, electric gate valves etc. If you have any questions about the suitability of the Zaxis to your particular application, call us, we'd be glad to talk to you about it.

How do I know if I have a single or dual motor landing gear system?

You can identify the type of landing gear you have by looking at the switch panel used to control the landing gear or you can look in the basement of the 5th wheel at the landing gear mechanisms themselves.

• A single motor landing gear system typically has one rocker switch that controls the left and right landing gear legs simultaneously and will have an electric motor mounted at the top of only one landing gear leg with a drive shaft that extends from one leg to the other.
• A dual motor landing gear system typically has three rocker switches that control the left and right landing gear legs independently or simultaneously and will have an electric motor mounted at the top of each landing gear leg.

Can the Zaxis be used to control my electric rear stabilizers?

Yes, if the rear stabilizers are a single motor design (both stabilizer legs are driven by a single motor.)

We've been contacted by several Cedar Creek owners asking us if the Zaxis can also be used to control the electric rear stabilizers on their 5th wheels.

To use a Zaxis to control both the front landing gear and the rear stabilizers you must install a double-pole, double-throw (DPDT) switch that will connect the Zaxis to either the landing gear or the rear stabilizer.

Here's a diagram showing how this is done:

Zaxis Rear Stabilizer Adaptation: View or Download (41.8KB .PDF file)
Updated: 2/25/2007 1:27:25 PM

Once the switch is installed, you can connect and control either the landing gear or the rear stabilizers depending upon the switch setting.

How can I perform a quick diagnostic check on my Zaxis?

If you are having difficulty with your Zaxis, you can verify that your Zaxis is functioning properly by following these steps:

1. Disconnect all wires from the Zaxis terminal strip.
2. Connect 12 volts to the terminals marked "Battery" and make certain that the polarity is correct as indicated by the + (plus) and - (minus) symbols over the terminals.
3. Turn the Zaxis power switch to the ON position.
4. Press a button on your keychain transmitter. The "Receiving" LED should illuminate and either the "Extending" or "Retracting" LED should illuminate depending on which button you pressed. (If the "Receiving" LED fails to illuminate, follow the Zaxis Setup procedure outlined in your Zaxis users manual to learn a new keychain transmitter.)
5. Place a voltmeter on the "Switch" terminals. There should be 12 volts present and the polarity should be the same as indicated by the + (plus) and - (minus) symbols over the terminals.
6. Press a button on your keychain transmitter. The voltage on the "Switch" terminals should be zero as long as the button is depressed.
7. Place the voltmeter on the "Motor" terminals. There should be zero volts present.
8. Press a button on your keychain transmitter. There should be 12 volts present on the "Motor" terminals. Make note of the polarity.
9. Press the other button on your keychain transmitter. There should be 12 volts present on the "Motor" terminals. The polarity should be the reverse of the polarity noted in the previous step.

If you successfully complete all of the steps outlined above and you are still experiencing problems with your Zaxis it is very likely that you have a wiring problem. Double check your wiring and connections. If the problem persists, contact us and we will help you resolve the problem.

Can the Zaxis be used to control my hydraulic landing gear?

Our current Zaxis, Model WAZ-30AX1 is for standard single motor 5th wheel landing gear jacks (non-hydraulic.) However, we are developing a Zaxis that is compatible with hydraulic landing gear. We will announce the new system on our website when it is released.

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