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05-31-2016, 02:02 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Orangeburg
Posts: 87
South Carolina
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Hydraulic leveling: Pros and cons?
Wife and I are planning on full timing in a 5er when we retire in a few years. Some of the units that would seem to fit our needs and wants have hydraulic leveling. Looking for any pros or cons about these units. BTW, I work industrial maintenance so hydraulics operation and repair is part of my tools that I bring to the table. Thanks in advance!
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Bill & Anne + FBs Athena, Jada & Cupcake
Wilson III: 2015 Ram 2500 6.4L Gas 4x4 4.10 CC SRW
Gypsy II: 2013 Kodiak 279RBSL with table & chairs instead of a dinette
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05-31-2016, 03:00 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Cody
Posts: 1,764
Wyoming
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Cons: it adds weight. The system is heavy.
Pros: ease of use, push-button operation.
I have it... I love it... and since I travel alone, I wouldn't have a rig without it. Period.
When a friend & I travel occasionally travel together in our rigs, I'm already set up... level, with power, water, and sewer connected... while he's still fiddling with his blocks & jacks.
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Tom
2013 VOLTAGE 3200 (EPIC I & II)
2014 Ford F-450 PLATINUM
2018 BMW R1200GS RALLYE
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05-31-2016, 03:02 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Memphis
Posts: 1,616
Michigan
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Also makes changing tires or suspension maintenance a breeze!
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2019 Ram 3500 Limited w/ Max Tow pkg
2005 Cardinal 33LX
2014-3950, Full Paint, 17.5" tires, 370W solar, 3100W Magnum inverter w/ AGS, 7500w diesel generator, Micro-Air Easy Start 364 (x3) SOLD!
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05-31-2016, 05:38 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Sprung Leak
Posts: 3,157
North Carolina
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I have hydraulic leveling on my current motor home and L-O-V-E it! Who knew that life could be so easy.
Aaron
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There is madness to my methods
2015 Coleman CM16FBS(traded) 2016 Concord 300DS
2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid following along
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05-31-2016, 09:34 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Youngstown
Posts: 712
Florida
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wahoonc
I have hydraulic leveling on my current motor home and L-O-V-E it! Who knew that life could be so easy.
Aaron
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My Tiffin has air bag leveling.......... Who knew life could be so easy
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Thom & Rose
DD-250 ALUMNI
The problem child: 2014 Voltage 3950
The problem solver: 2017 Tiffin Breeze 32BR
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05-31-2016, 11:14 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Sprung Leak
Posts: 3,157
North Carolina
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thom
My Tiffin has air bag leveling.......... Who knew life could be so easy
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Yup... I am in the cheap seats.
Aaron
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There is madness to my methods
2015 Coleman CM16FBS(traded) 2016 Concord 300DS
2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid following along
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06-01-2016, 12:00 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Sparta
Posts: 1,726
Tennessee
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Prolly easier to crack walnuts with hydraulics.
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2014 Aerolite 213 RBSL
2016 Chevrolet Colorado
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06-01-2016, 01:13 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Orangeburg
Posts: 87
South Carolina
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Other than the weight factor, has anyone had problems with the system? Any problems with either the electronics used with leveling or hoses being laid in closer than minimum bend radius. A specific manufacturer's cylinders having problems with shaft seal leakage?
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Bill & Anne + FBs Athena, Jada & Cupcake
Wilson III: 2015 Ram 2500 6.4L Gas 4x4 4.10 CC SRW
Gypsy II: 2013 Kodiak 279RBSL with table & chairs instead of a dinette
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06-01-2016, 01:57 AM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Sprung Leak
Posts: 3,157
North Carolina
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I don't know about the LCI system. That seems to be what is used on most fivers. I am very familiar with the BigFoot and HWH systems. They are both good systems and if installed correctly are all but trouble free.
Aaron
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There is madness to my methods
2015 Coleman CM16FBS(traded) 2016 Concord 300DS
2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid following along
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06-01-2016, 02:29 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Griswold
Posts: 204
Iowa
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I think the LCI is an excellent system. I did get all my hydraulic hoses replaced under warranty because the fittings on the end of the hoses weren't crimped on correctly and every one of them leaked, even the return low pressure lines. My dealer said he was told there was a bad run of them and you might know I got one. The good thing is I got all high quality agriculture high pressure hoses now. Other wise I like the way this system works and would hate to be without it. The fact that it's a heavy system I think is a good thing, it needs to be! I can't imagine trying to level a coach of this size manually.
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2014 V3605
2015 Harley Road Glide Ultra CVO
2024 F-350 6.7 SRW SupurDuty Crew FX4 Lariat
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06-01-2016, 02:58 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Cody
Posts: 1,764
Wyoming
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Going on 3 years with mine (LCI)... so far, no issues.
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Tom
2013 VOLTAGE 3200 (EPIC I & II)
2014 Ford F-450 PLATINUM
2018 BMW R1200GS RALLYE
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06-01-2016, 02:35 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Okeana
Posts: 183
Ohio
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Worth it
I had a leaky seal replaced under warranty on one of the cylinders. I would not have an RV without the autolevel.
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2014 F-250 6.7 with Timbrens
2015 Voltage 3605
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06-02-2016, 02:01 AM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Savannah
Posts: 18
Georgia
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Never go back to anything less. Auto level is great!
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06-02-2016, 05:06 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Tucson
Posts: 872
Arizona
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Set up a fifth wheel trailer that doesn't have auto leveling on ground that isn't level. It's a real pain.
Once you've done the above you're ready to push the Auto Level button and walk away to hook up the water, cable or get a beer. The Auto Leveler will beep when it's done and your trailer will be perfectly level. I wouldn't be without it.
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2014 Voltage 3600
2013 Chevy 3500 CC DRW
2019 RZR 1000XP Trails and Rocks Edition
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06-02-2016, 01:50 PM
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#15
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New Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Liberty Lake
Posts: 8
Washington
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Our last Fifth Wheel was our first one with auto level. The first time I used it I was in love. I checked it with a level and the bubble was perfectly centered in all directions. We just downsized from a 41 footer to a 31 footer and part, no a lot, of the decision of which of 3 choices to buy came down to an included auto level system. I won't be without one again.
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Charlie Matthews
Liberty Lake, WA
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06-03-2016, 12:29 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midland
Posts: 606
Texas
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Hydraulic leveling: Pros and cons?
CON
I already had a leak in the same line repaired under warranty??? Now it looks to be ruptured. Maybe it was the nine months of being leveled up while full timing stationary. That rear off door jack is the first up/down and must get the most pressure from the pump?
Will not repair at a dealer or use my extended warranty. I have a friend that rebuilds directional drilling motors and he is going to help me replace it with a braided line.
Even with the problems with the leaks... I think the level up is a great feature and I wouldn't buy a trailer without.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Mike & Helen
2014 Voltage 3895 EPIC III
2013 Ford F350 CC DRW FX4
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06-03-2016, 01:13 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Griswold
Posts: 204
Iowa
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It shouldn't matter how long your jacks were down, that won't cause a break in a hose, unless there is a bad spot from a cut or rubbing. You're on the right track by replacing the bad hose with a high quality braided one.
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2014 V3605
2015 Harley Road Glide Ultra CVO
2024 F-350 6.7 SRW SupurDuty Crew FX4 Lariat
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06-05-2016, 01:43 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midland
Posts: 606
Texas
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Hydraulic leveling: Pros and cons?
Surprisingly... Even with the leak the trailer leveled up and held over the weekend and didn't bleed any ATF onto the ground!!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Mike & Helen
2014 Voltage 3895 EPIC III
2013 Ford F350 CC DRW FX4
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06-05-2016, 11:17 PM
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#19
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Middletown
Posts: 39
Pennsylvania
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Every time I use the auto level up or down it pushes some fluid out onto the battery cover. Taking the 3970 back to the dealer for this and a few other things. Does not appear to be overfilled.
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2016 Voltage 3970 Full Body Paint (Earth tone/Burgundy)
2014 RAM 3500 Laramie Longhorn, 6.7, AISIN, 4.10
2012 Can-Am RT Limited, Lava Bronze
President, Susquehanna Valley Chapter Shelby Dodge Auto Club (SDAC)
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06-06-2016, 10:31 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Roselle
Posts: 1,292
Illinois
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Fluid Leak
Quote:
Originally Posted by Denviola
Every time I use the auto level up or down it pushes some fluid out onto the battery cover. Taking the 3970 back to the dealer for this and a few other things. Does not appear to be overfilled.
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With jacks stored, you should have 2" or so of space in the tank.
Rusty
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2015 Black F-350 Platinum Diesel Dually Crew Cab
2019 Riverstone Legacy 38MB (Full Paint/All Options)
2015 Voltage 3990 (Full Paint, All Options) Sold 6/18
2005 Harley Ultra Classic w/too many miles
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