Hey all we have purchased our first 5er after months of waiting to come in from the MFG plant, we took delivery in December. Since day one the electrical system, ie most all outlets in coach did not work, that was finally fixed after 4 weeks and 2 trips back to the dealer. Turns out the outside kitchen refrigerator was bad, replaced and is fixed for now.Now we have had a few issues with our auto level hydraulic system. This last shakedown overnight weekend trip the trailer began to pop in the front and actually lower itself, very minute increments, but was lowering. We were unable to sleep in the front bedroom due to the sound it made. Had to relevel trailer front/back several times throughout the night. I also noticed when towing back to storage the front landing gears begins to come down on its own. I contacted Lippert about these issues and was not a ton of help. I have checked fluid levels and don't see any leaks... has anyone been through this issue?Trailer is 2018 Sandpiper 383RBLOK.equipped with touchscreen Lippert ground control system.Can also control with phone, which is awesome and makes hitching a breeze.

This is a well known problem with the level up.Get it back to your dealer and get them replaced. Mne had some popping that was fixed by adding fork oil but sinse yours is leaking you have a more serious problem.Good luck.

Fork oil is the correct answer. The OP said they didnt see any leaks either. Here is a link to the Lippert document that has the procedure for doing it, along with which brands are approved.Lippert I had the popping noise, especially with temperature changes. Sounds like a really loud acorn hitting the roof. I performed this procedure, and the problem went away. the procedure has you raise all the legs, remove a quart of the hydraulic fluid from the reservoir, pour half the replacement fluid in, lower all the legs, and then pour the remaining fluid in.EDIT: I reread the OP post, and understand the LEAK. Sounds like fluid is getting past the piston internally from the pressurized side to the non-pressurized side. If you are mechanically inclined, I'd do the fork oil procedure first, and run the legs in/out a few times to circulate the fork oil and see what happens.

sbergherr wrote:Now we have had a few issues with our auto level hydraulic system. This last shakedown overnight weekend trip the trailer began to pop in the front and actually lower itself, very minute increments, but was lowering. We were unable to sleep in the front bedroom due to the sound it made. Had to relevel trailer front/back several times throughout the night. I also noticed when towing back to storage the front landing gears begins to come down on its own. I contacted Lippert about these issues and was not a ton of help. I have checked fluid levels and don't see any leaks... has anyone been through this issue?Trailer is 2018 Sandpiper 383RBLOK.equipped with touchscreen Lippert ground control system.Can also control with phone, which is awesome and makes hitching a breeze.Lippert used the wrong Hydrolic fluids. Lippert issued a consumer altert announcement acknowleding the problem and what to do to solve it with different Hydrolic Fluid. Go to your local truck/farm supply store and buy 1 qt of Caterpillar Hydraulic Oil Additive # 1U-9891. Drain 1 qt. of your hydrolic fluid and add the CAT fluid. If the popping sounds stops, job done. If not, drain 2 qts. of your hydrolic fluid and then add 2 qts. of CAT fluid. Job done:)

I would reiterate go to YOUR dealer and file a claim with your troubles and have them repair your jacks! Lippert has had a lot of troubles with the level up system. The key is to get your problem fixed and at the very least get your situation DOCUMENTED while your unit is still under warranty. Lippert can't/won't have an excuse to cover the warranty based repair with NO cost to you.Just my two cents.....Dan

Brand new shouldn't do that. Couple to few years old perhaps yes, but not new. I agree with others, get it back to dealer for documentation/repairs now.....especially before camping season gets into full swing and dealer gets backed up for service work.

Auto-level help please!!! | Good Sam Community

12th_Man_Fan
Explorer
Feb 15, 2018
This is a well known problem with the level up.

Get it back to your dealer and get them replaced. Mne had some popping that was fixed by adding fork oil but sinse yours is leaking you have a more serious problem.

Good luck.
djousma
Explorer
Feb 15, 2018
Fork oil is the correct answer. The OP said they didnt see any leaks either. Here is a link to the Lippert document that has the procedure for doing it, along with which brands are approved.

Lippert

I had the popping noise, especially with temperature changes. Sounds like a really loud acorn hitting the roof. I performed this procedure, and the problem went away. the procedure has you raise all the legs, remove a quart of the hydraulic fluid from the reservoir, pour half the replacement fluid in, lower all the legs, and then pour the remaining fluid in.

EDIT: I reread the OP post, and understand the LEAK. Sounds like fluid is getting past the piston internally from the pressurized side to the non-pressurized side. If you are mechanically inclined, I'd do the fork oil procedure first, and run the legs in/out a few times to circulate the fork oil and see what happens.
MarkTwain
Explorer
Feb 15, 2018
sbergherr wrote:

Now we have had a few issues with our auto level hydraulic system. This last shakedown overnight weekend trip the trailer began to pop in the front and actually lower itself, very minute increments, but was lowering. We were unable to sleep in the front bedroom due to the sound it made. Had to relevel trailer front/back several times throughout the night. I also noticed when towing back to storage the front landing gears begins to come down on its own. I contacted Lippert about these issues and was not a ton of help.

I have checked fluid levels and don't see any leaks... has anyone been through this issue?

Trailer is 2018 Sandpiper 383RBLOK.
equipped with touchscreen Lippert ground control system.
Can also control with phone, which is awesome and makes hitching a breeze.

Lippert used the wrong Hydrolic fluids. Lippert issued a consumer altert announcement acknowleding the problem and what to do to solve it with different Hydrolic Fluid. Go to your local truck/farm supply store and buy 1 qt of Caterpillar Hydraulic Oil Additive # 1U-9891. Drain 1 qt. of your hydrolic fluid and add the CAT fluid. If the popping sounds stops, job done. If not, drain 2 qts. of your hydrolic fluid and then add 2 qts. of CAT fluid. Job done:)
dapperdan
Explorer
Feb 16, 2018
I would reiterate go to YOUR dealer and file a claim with your troubles and have them repair your jacks! Lippert has had a lot of troubles with the level up system. The key is to get your problem fixed and at the very least get your situation DOCUMENTED while your unit is still under warranty. Lippert can't/won't have an excuse to cover the warranty based repair with NO cost to you.

Just my two cents.....

Dan
ACZL
Explorer
Feb 16, 2018
Brand new shouldn't do that. Couple to few years old perhaps yes, but not new. I agree with others, get it back to dealer for documentation/repairs now.....especially before camping season gets into full swing and dealer gets backed up for service work.
ChuckSteed
Explorer
Feb 16, 2018
Sounds to me more like either air in the system or the manual over ride valve on the front landing gear is not fully closed.. you can TS both of these your selves instead of fiddling around with dealer...

I re read post and don’t see mention of any signs of visible leak...

A “stickion “ problem as referenced for popping noise is not the same issue as what you are experiencing with LG creeping up and down...

Bleed the system and verify that both manual override valves are closed tightly....

This Lippert PDF might help you.....

https://www.lci1.com/images/support/lipsheet/0183.pdf
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Feb 16, 2018
Lipper tends to have issues with their low cost low quality products. JMHO

When I pointed out the 5 design problems with my hydraulic pump they did agree to replace it during the first 2 years. Later I didn't ask them about their cheap 8 leaking hoses as I wanted better quality. This is for the hydraulic slides, not jacks.

My son's Lipper 5er hitch bent under normal conditions. It was quickly determined that there were inadequate supports.
laknox
Nomad
Feb 16, 2018
sbergherr wrote:
Hey all we have purchased our first 5er after months of waiting to come in from the MFG plant, we took delivery in December. Since day one the electrical system, ie most all outlets in coach did not work, that was finally fixed after 4 weeks and 2 trips back to the dealer. Turns out the outside kitchen refrigerator was bad, replaced and is fixed for now.

Now we have had a few issues with our auto level hydraulic system. This last shakedown overnight weekend trip the trailer began to pop in the front and actually lower itself, very minute increments, but was lowering. We were unable to sleep in the front bedroom due to the sound it made. Had to relevel trailer front/back several times throughout the night. I also noticed when towing back to storage the front landing gears begins to come down on its own. I contacted Lippert about these issues and was not a ton of help.

I have checked fluid levels and don't see any leaks... has anyone been through this issue?

Trailer is 2018 Sandpiper 383RBLOK.
equipped with touchscreen Lippert ground control system.
Can also control with phone, which is awesome and makes hitching a breeze.

There are several, more common, issues with hydraulic systems.

1) Air in the system. Air compresses and can cause "settling". It can also cause the popping noises. Fully extending/retracting all cylinders multiple times usually fixes this.

2) Leaking valves. Can be caused by bad/worn valves with voids/cracks in the mating surfaces that allows fluid to pass. Also, "crud" in the system causing the valves not to seat properly.

3) Internal leaks in the cylinders themselves. Can be bad seals or galling/scoring inside the cylinder, allowing fluid to pass. (Personally, I've also seen a cylinder tube that was very slightly =oval= from the factory. Suspicion was that it was crushed in shipping/handling.)

4) As noted, LCI's cr@ppy quality and outright idiotic mistakes.

Whatever you do, take it to the dealer to have them fix the issue under warranty. That way it's documented with the factory, so any future issues can be addressed under the same issue.

Lyle
LIKE2BUILD
Explorer
Feb 16, 2018
dapperdan wrote:
I would reiterate go to YOUR dealer and file a claim with your troubles and have them repair your jacks! Lippert has had a lot of troubles with the level up system. The key is to get your problem fixed and at the very least get your situation DOCUMENTED while your unit is still under warranty. Lippert can't/won't have an excuse to cover the warranty based repair with NO cost to you.

Just my two cents.....

Dan

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
THIS

While it's good as an owner to understand causes of issues and know corrective actions, your RV is brand new and you shouldn't have to do any of this. Make the dealer earn their money and correct the problem. If your dealer isn't aware of updated fluid specs then I'd find a different dealer.

KJ
dapperdan
Explorer
Feb 16, 2018
ChuckSteed wrote:
Sounds to me more like either air in the system or the manual over ride valve on the front landing gear is not fully closed.. you can TS both of these your selves instead of fiddling around with dealer...

I re read post and don’t see mention of any signs of visible leak...

A “stickion “ problem as referenced for popping noise is not the same issue as what you are experiencing with LG creeping up and down...

Bleed the system and verify that both manual override valves are closed tightly....

This Lippert PDF might help you.....

https://www.lci1.com/images/support/lipsheet/0183.pdf

I agree, this is really good advice! The first check would be to have slides all the way in and the jacks all the way up and then check your fluid level FIRST. If the level is OK then I'd start looking into the bleeders and fittings.

Dan

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Auto-level help please!!!

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