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Topic: To those of you with automatic levelors (Read 776 times) previous topic - next topic
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To those of you with automatic levelors
I'm considering them.

What's been your experience?
Would you do it all over again?

Thanks
2021 Mid Bath
Re: The those of you with automatic levelors
Reply #1 –
A forum search will bring up dozens of posts on this topic.....  ;)
2003 TK has a new home
Re: The those of you with automatic levelors
Reply #2 –
The Companion has a good orientation to your options.

The Lazy Daze Companion: Big Foot

I have HWH kickdown jacks (installed by the previous owner), if you have any specific questions about those. 

Rich
2003 MB
Re: To those of you with automatic levelors
Reply #4 –
Off and on. 

When I first bought the coach, it had been sitting for a few years which isn't good for the seals in the hydraulics.  I eventually had to send each of the jacks back to the factory to be rebuilt.  Once that issue was worked out, I have had some parts wear out or have to be replaced (esp. springs). 

For the most part, the system works well even if there are some quirks that I've had to get used to.  I make it a point to exercise them periodically, and lube the pivot points twice a year. 

I sure do appreciate them when I need to work on the wheels (I can lift the wheels off the ground if I put some blocks under them) or when I pull into a campsite in the rain. 

Overall, I have mixed feeling about them but the good outweighs the bad. 

Rich
 
2003 MB
Re: To those of you with automatic levelors
Reply #5 –
I have HWH kickdown jacks as well.  I've rebuilt them myself.  They do spoil me and I have less carrying capacity.  I lie being able to use them to hold the weight of the chassis a little when changing a tire before blocking it like Rich and easy setup in the dark.

I don't think I would pay install them but they came with the coach so I'll use them and miss them when I move on.
1997 TK
Re: To those of you with automatic levelors
Reply #6 –
HWH auto leveling system. Installed at HWH factory in Ohio when my 2017 MB new. LOVE them. Super convenient and easy and no problems. They recommend inspection every couple years. I had one done in WA couple summers ago and will drive by factory next year. At first, for a few months,  I tried leveling with blocks and a couple different apps but not for me 'cause I'm too lazy.
2019 MB
Re: To those of you with automatic levelors
Reply #7 –
I had the HWH jacks installed in 2013, shortly after taking delivery. They have always operated fine. The only problem I've had is my fault - I backed into one of those hard-to-see, taller than normal, tire stops and bent the crossbar between the two rear jacks. The jacks continued to operate properly, but it annoyed me that the crossbar looked "wrong" with a bend in it, so I eventually fixed it.

I ordered a replacement from HWH, which turned out to be too long by about 0.5 inches (which I attribute to variation in mounting dimensions across chassis over the years, or a consequence of the jack bodies being welded to the frame?). I took the new crossbar to a local welding shop and had them shorten the length. The original (damaged) crossbar had a cut and weld in the middle of the crossbar, so I know that the shop that originally installed the jacks had to do a length adjustment of the HWH factory part.
2013 27’ Mid-Bath
2005 Honda CR-V
Re: To those of you with automatic levelors
Reply #8 –
I also have HWH jacks and like them, installed by previous owner.  Since these kick down, and up, they can be driven off if necessary,  unlike some.   One had a broken spring for years, but still worked anyway... could be pushed up by hand. (Finally got both springs replaced on that jack.)  Easy to use, but don't forget to release the emergency brake!  Putting a block underneath each is wise but I don't usually do it. Should crawl under there to lube those pivots, or find some kid to do it.  As my flexibility fades, my lazy kicks in.
1997 MB
Re: To those of you with automatic levelors
Reply #9 –
Ditto.

If you can afford it, it will make life easy. I used them for 9 months and this is the best modification we have done so far.

Quote from: MReeves  - 
HWH auto leveling system. Installed at HWH factory in Ohio when my 2017 MB new. LOVE them. Super convenient and easy and no problems. They recommend inspection every couple years. I had one done in WA couple summers ago and will drive by factory next year. At first, for a few months,  I tried leveling with blocks and a couple different apps but not for me 'cause I'm too lazy.
Re: To those of you with automatic levelors
Reply #10 –
One thing owners with levelers should know is how to raise a jack manually if it doesn't do so automatically.
This usually requires getting under the rig and disconnecting a hydraulic hose, forcing it up, and then tying it up with wire, to keep it in place until repairs can be made. When a hydraulic hose is disconnected, and the ram raised, expect a flow of hydraulic fluid. Try to catch the fluid in an old can or bottle. Odds are most of it will get on you.
And yes, I have done this several times, usually the last day of a Caravan, when folks are leaving.

Almost every LD owner with levelers I know has had problems over the years, they are great when they work and PIA when they don't. YMMV

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: To those of you with automatic levelors
Reply #12 –
I have had the BigFoot jack system on two LD (2010 & 2021) coaches and have had only one issue with a 9 year old cylinder on our 2010 coach. The inner piston seal started leaking but could still move up & down. Bigfoot replaced it free. The cylinders are bolted to a mount welded to the frame rails so they are easily removed for service if ever needed. We have parked on some quite sloped locations with no issues using the jacks even when adding blocking under the jack pads. That is something I would be hesitant to consider if using flip up jacks. Most that use the HWH are very satisfied with them but I just wouldn't as feel secure on slopes.
2026 Coach House 27' "Casa Azul"
2010 RB "Monty"  &  2021 RB "Villa Verde"
2004 Born Free 26'
1998 Beaver Patriot 33'
1992 Barth Breakaway 28'
1982 Fleetwood Jamboree 23
Re: To those of you with automatic levelors
Reply #13 –
We had Bigfoot Levelers installed last year on our 2017 MB.  After having them sent to the house in a what-was-I-thinking moment of DIY overreach, I took them to a local RV garage and had them installed.  Even with that, the installer told me I had chosen the wrong system (there's two:  One where each piston has its own hydraulic fluid and the other where all four share the fluid from a common pool.)  So after paying for shipping to get the correct fit (that was the issue, the shared pool was the only one that fit correctly under the LD), and after paying for labor and the time spent not camping, I was sure I made a mistake.

Well, time made me forget that stuff and now we can't live without them.  There's nothing like getting the LD dialed in to level especially on stays with multiple nights of sleep (sleeping is when I really notice if the RV's not level.)  The cons are there, for sure:  1.) Expensive.  2.) the "auto" level feature stinks.  I've given up on it and just use a level and/or the fridge door to guide me.  3.) They take away your CCC which I try to respect but truthfully it hasn't caused me to bring less (we stay pretty light as it is.)  4.)  We haven't encountered a piston that won't go up but I'm sure its down the road.

Would I do it again?  In a heartbeat.
2017 Mid Bath
-- Tireman valve extenders;
-- Progressive Industries 30a EMS protector;
-- Hellwig front and rear anti-sway bars;
-- Dual canister water filter.
Re: To those of you with automatic levelors
Reply #14 –
Bigfoot levelers were installed on our "new-to-us" MB by a previous owner. So far we like them. We left our old ramp levelers in the old LD when we sold it. Hopefully, we won't have any misadventures!
George & Jo Ann
2017 MB
Re: To those of you with automatic levelors
Reply #15 –
We have had Big Foot Levelers for 3 years without any problems.  We enjoy the ease of leveling, we selected the manual leveling system.  One benefit that we had not counted on was walking around on the roof was safer as the wobble went away.
Ross Taylor
2017 MB
Re: To those of you with automatic levelors
Reply #16 –
We've had Big Foot levelers on two LDs; The first a 2000 Mid Bath and now our K32 IB. Both were installed at the Big Foot factory in White Pigeon in MI. No problems with either installation or operation. A happy decision in both cases.

Ron
Ron
Re: To those of you with automatic levelors
Reply #17 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
One thing owners with levelers should know is how to raise a jack manually if it doesn't do so automatically.
This usually requires getting under the rig and disconnecting a hydraulic hose, forcing it up, and then tying it up with wire, to keep it in place until repairs can be made. When a hydraulic hose is disconnected, and the ram raised, expect a flow of hydraulic fluid. Try to catch the fluid in an old can or bottle. Odds are most of it will get on you.
And yes, I have done this several times, usually the last day of a Caravan, when folks are leaving.

Almost every LD owner with levelers I know has had problems over the years, they are great when they work and PIA when they don't. YMMV

Larry

The HWH have a release valve that will raise them. The springs will keep them up.
Steve and Jill, Steve posting
1999 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: To those of you with automatic levelors
Reply #18 –
Table 58 said:   " I've given up on it and just use a level and/or the fridge door to guide me."

I had Bigfoot mount the control panel in a box tethered to wires coming from under the drivers seat (see pix). I then watch two curved bubble levels mounted on the driver's door (front to back level) and the dash by the steering post (side to side level) while making adjustments to the jacks manually. There is an 'Auto Level' feature available but I choose the manual control most times. When finished I leave the control box on the drivers seat while the jacks are down and store it behind the seat when traveling. This has worked well for me over the years.
2026 Coach House 27' "Casa Azul"
2010 RB "Monty"  &  2021 RB "Villa Verde"
2004 Born Free 26'
1998 Beaver Patriot 33'
1992 Barth Breakaway 28'
1982 Fleetwood Jamboree 23
 
Re: To those of you with automatic levelors
Reply #19 –
Quote from: StevenJill  - 
The HWH has a release valve that will raise them. The springs will keep them up.

Most owners do not know how to manually raise them or are willing to crawl under their rigs to do so.
Not all levelers have a release valve. Each brand and system is different.
If a system has a way of manually releasing and raising a cylinder, the Owner's Manual should have the details.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze