Bigfoot hydraulic leveling

I've been thinking about it too. From what I can see it would be easier and cheaper to install an electric system but I don't know how reliable they are.

Hopefully people more in the know will chime in.

I have one of the first generation electric systems that I am thrilled with. Since my 2012 was made the systems have improved.
I don't think the hydraulic systems are more reliable but they are capable of lifting more weight.
Nevertheless I can't see dropping $3-4 K on an aftermarket system, unless I was physically challenged and unable to level the old fashioned way.
I spent that amount to upgrade to disc brakes, but auto leveling does not warrant that kind of expenditure for me.
I just think that $3-4K would be better spent upgrading to a newer rig that came stock with auto level already.
Of course we all have different wallets/budgets, auto level is a fantastic feature so if you have an extra wad of cash you are looking to spend go for it. If the price doesn't give you pause, auto level is a fantastic feature.

This combo works really well for us - and is a LOT less than an aftermarket auto-leveling system:

Andersen levelers

LevelMatePRO

Rob

Lantley wrote:
I have one of the first generation electric systems that I am thrilled with. Since my 2012 was made the systems have improved.
I don't think the hydraulic systems are more reliable but they are capable of lifting more weight.
Nevertheless I can't see dropping $3-4 K on an aftermarket system, unless I was physically challenged and unable to level the old fashioned way.
I spent that amount to upgrade to disc brakes, but auto leveling does not warrant that kind of expenditure for me.
I just think that $3-4K would be better spent upgrading to a newer rig that came stock with auto level already.
Of course we all have different wallets/budgets, auto level is a fantastic feature so if you have an extra wad of cash you are looking to spend go for it. If the price doesn't give you pause, auto level is a fantastic feature.

I know what you mean. I struggle with spending money on an old trailer as well, but, in order to buy a new trailer of high enough quality that I would prefer it over this old unit I might have to fork out an additional $90 k. Then I would have a trailer that is depreciating at the rate of about 10k per year. This old unit is probably only depreciating at about 2k per year. So it's worth considering spending a bit of cash on it and keeping it for a good long time. If I could find a good used leveling system at 1/2 the price of new I think I would buy it.

Couple of bubble level levels.....less than 50 bucks. A 2x10 (or12)x12 cut into a 5' & 6' lengths......10-20 bucks. Couple 1x6's.......5-10 bucks. Total max cost (give or take) 80 bucks. Still cheaper than a used elect lift system. And at most, shouldn't take more than a few minutes to get side to side level before unhooking. Prior to new coach, wife and I could get all set up in under 10 minutes. Not a race I know, but we got system down pretty pat.

4x4ord wrote:

Lantley wrote:
I have one of the first generation electric systems that I am thrilled with. Since my 2012 was made the systems have improved.
I don't think the hydraulic systems are more reliable but they are capable of lifting more weight.
Nevertheless I can't see dropping $3-4 K on an aftermarket system, unless I was physically challenged and unable to level the old fashioned way.
I spent that amount to upgrade to disc brakes, but auto leveling does not warrant that kind of expenditure for me.
I just think that $3-4K would be better spent upgrading to a newer rig that came stock with auto level already.
Of course we all have different wallets/budgets, auto level is a fantastic feature so if you have an extra wad of cash you are looking to spend go for it. If the price doesn't give you pause, auto level is a fantastic feature.

I know what you mean. I struggle with spending money on an old trailer as well, but, in order to buy a new trailer of high enough quality that I would prefer it over this old unit I might have to fork out an additional $90 k. Then I would have a trailer that is depreciating at the rate of about 10k per year. This old unit is probably only depreciating at about 2k per year. So it's worth considering spending a bit of cash on it and keeping it for a good long time. If I could find a good used leveling system at 1/2 the price of new I think I would buy it.

I get your point. New rig $90K vs. Auto level for the current one $3-4K. That make it a easier decision.;).
Finding used will be tough. Who gonna Go through the trouble of remove it? Removing the auto level will devalue the RV it is on.
I guess you could get lucky and find a salvaged unit?

I added the Quadra big foot to my toy hauler. It was one of my first mods.
I purchased my two cylinder kit right from the manufacture in white pigeon Michigan. They can also do the install. They have a huge shop that accommodates several big rigs at a time and their installers are all experts.
My cyclone has hydraulic front lifts and for a little extra I could of had and automatic level button. But I like the manual leveling from the left/right rear control box I mounted in the garage on the wall
The procedure is simple. I pull into a spot and while I’m still hooked up I lower the high side foot until it makes contact. Then lower the low side foot until it raises the rig level left to right. It’s still on the hitch so I’m not twisting the frame
I then raise the front and unhook

I can raise one side at a time for tire changes

I ordered the frame brackets and after gaining access to the frame. Clamped each bracket and drilled six holes on each side. It was a fair bit of work but I took my time running the wire cables and added a battery shut off switch.

It was a lot of work. The guys at Quadra manufacturing know how to weld the brackets to the frame and have all the materials and tools to get you in and out quickly. They could probably do the jack install and let you finish the wiring if you needed to remove panels to run your control box yourself

It might be worth a trip to the states. They are located in farm country and there’s at least two very large new and used rv parts supply companies close by with boxes of any part you can think of on an rv