So wife and I just returned from the show in Hershey and are no closer to knowing the "one" than before we left. :M If anything I now have more questions.Those of you that have possibly owned a unit with both hydraulic and electric leveling jacks, which do you prefer and why? I realize hydro is faster but I'm not concerned with speed. If more concerned with ease of use, reliability, maintenance (if any) and bypass ability should something fail.

We've had both, and will only ever have hydraulic going forward.Much faster, more reliable, more convenient, etc.We had issues with gears (sheared one) and motors (burned one out) on our electric jacks. On our hydraulic system, the only issue we ever had was a leaking seal that still allowed the system to work until it was replaced. I think you can get auto-leveling with electric now, but auto-leveling with hydraulic is all that was available (I think) when we purchased, and it's a feature I wouldn't want to go without.You can easily lift the whole trailer with the hydraulics - not something I recommend doing - but it's gotten us out of a pinch on more than one occasion. Once for an emergency suspension repair, and once for getting us unstuck. I don't believe the electric jacks are capable of that.

Hydraulic......Bigfoot to be specific! memtb

We've only had the hydraulic auto-level system, but IMO it would be better than electric. With hydraulic, there is one pump and six/four cylinders. Electric would have six/four electric motors and accompanying gears. I prefer the KISS principle.

We've had both. I've experienced a leaky manifold (replaced it myself with part supplied under warranty) with the LCI hydraulic system and had to add CAT anti-stiction fluid to stop the annoying popping sounds. On the other hand, it will lift the trailer off the ground one side at a time to change a tire.The electric system was much slower and I didn't trust it to lift one side of the trailer (not as robust). A couple of pros for the electric systems - especially ones with the new hall effect motors - is that they are more easily user-repaired.Bottom line: I don't know that I'd let hydraulic vs. electric make the decision for me. I would be more concerned about a floorplan that would work for us.Rob

Electric has one motor to fail. Hydro has a motor, the hydraulic pump, rams, and hoses that can fail. You can decide from there.

hydro or electric leveling | Good Sam Community

memtb
Explorer
Sep 20, 2021
Hydraulic......Bigfoot to be specific! memtb
n0arp
Explorer
Sep 20, 2021
We've had both, and will only ever have hydraulic going forward.

Much faster, more reliable, more convenient, etc.

We had issues with gears (sheared one) and motors (burned one out) on our electric jacks. On our hydraulic system, the only issue we ever had was a leaking seal that still allowed the system to work until it was replaced. I think you can get auto-leveling with electric now, but auto-leveling with hydraulic is all that was available (I think) when we purchased, and it's a feature I wouldn't want to go without.

You can easily lift the whole trailer with the hydraulics - not something I recommend doing - but it's gotten us out of a pinch on more than one occasion. Once for an emergency suspension repair, and once for getting us unstuck. I don't believe the electric jacks are capable of that.

Forum Discussion

hydro or electric leveling

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

Electric

Electrical assistance

Electrical outlet issues

Surge or electric brakes

electrical