Forum Discussion

RECVEH2005's avatar
RECVEH2005
Explorer
Jun 04, 2016

Bigfoot Leveling System Problems

Over the past 3 years, water has gotten into my two rear jack reservoirs, displacing the hydraulic fluid. It just cost me well over $500 to have them purged and and refilled with fluid.

The repairing facility couldn't tell me how water could have gotten into the reservoirs. I called the manufacturer; they couldn't shed any light on the situation either.

Have any of you folks with a Bigfoot leveling system experienced this problem? Do you have any ideas what could be causing this? Yes, we have hauled our fiver during rainstorms.

Note: There are factory-installed mud flaps behind the rear wheels (and in front of the jack systems) of my fifth-wheel; might they have anything to do with the problem?

Mike
  • We had a 2011 Cameo and for the last 2 1/2 year a 2014 Lifestyle with the Bigfoot. Have had no problems with either. I remember on our Cameo, Big Foot sent us new reservoir caps. It came with red ones and they sent us new blue caps. Maybe the caps are not sealing properly? Good luck.
  • Mine is also a 2011 Cameo and no problem whatsoever. I have had it checked where U get all my service, everything was always fine.
  • I suggest to those who havent had any problems to check their fluid. Pink is not your friend in this case.
  • We've not had any problems with our 2011 rig and we put lots of miles on each year. We toured the factory when our fiver was being built and I saw that they (Carriage-Cameo) assembled all the parts for the Big Foot system. Is it possible that HitchHiker could have also done the assembly? Check with them to see if they had any problems.
  • The water can only get in between the reservoir and the pump housing or the vent hole in the fill cap. There is an O ring but the plastic res often distorts oil out and water in. I have resorted to wrapping with Walmart bags. Havent checked this trip.
  • No problems here either but I would give the reservoir a check as it is only plastic. Purging is easy and only uses Dexron III transmission fluid, I would learn to do it myself.
  • We have the same brand with the same mud flaps and have not had any issues with our BigFoot and water intrusion. Are you a member of the NuWa forum? Someone there might be able to shed light on your problem.