Difference in levelers

Thanks mtrumpt for clarification on the chrome ram rods vs. stainless. The Lippert hydraulic lines came that way prior to installation on the RV's. It is assumed that water got into them where ever they were stored, rusted out the inner linings leaving only the outer plastic or what ever material is used (not rubber on the junk they use)to hold the hyd. fluid from bursting. When I bought my rig Lippert would authorize only four of seven out bound from the pump lines to be replaced based on registration numbers on the hoses. After my initial trip out with my rig I noticed that all lines weren't replaced (dealer told me they were). Took it back to Buffalo RV and to Mark Stroll, one of three brother/owners, credit he had his service dept. call in a mobile repair company to switch out the remaining defective line with NYS DOT approved rubber hydraulic lines at the dealers cost. They didn't want to bother with Lippert either.

VinCee wrote:
I think the reference was to stainless steel ram rods, not the whole unit. I have Lippert's hydraulic system on my coach and they had a real issue with hyd. lines being bubbled from corrosion inside the line prior to installation. IMHO Lippert products suck. So far knock on wood I've haven't had any problems. My 2000 Allegro had HWH. When it was about 8 yrs. old one seal started to leak on the left rear ram. At times it seemed like the springs for retraction were getting a bit weak but overall I prefer the HWH system from my Lippert. If you notice, a lot of the quality rigs out there like Tiffin use HWH.

Somehow, those hydraulic lines must've been exposed to some sort of extreme moisture to bubble as you described. That's certainly not good for hydraulic lines. In fact, moisture introduced into any part of the hydraulic system is trouble.

I haven't had any problem (knock-on-wood) with my HWH system.

Just to be clear, those rods are NOT Stainless Steel. They are solid steel chromed and polished rods. If they were Stainless Steel, nobody would be able to afford them. ;)

I think the reference was to stainless steel ram rods, not the whole unit. I have Lippert's hydraulic system on my coach and they had a real issue with hyd. lines being bubbled from corrosion inside the line prior to installation. IMHO Lippert products suck. So far knock on wood I've haven't had any problems. My 2000 Allegro had HWH. When it was about 8 yrs. old one seal started to leak on the left rear ram. At times it seemed like the springs for retraction were getting a bit weak but overall I prefer the HWH system from my Lippert. If you notice, a lot of the quality rigs out there like Tiffin use HWH.

We have air only leveling.

Beacher wrote:
It's not so much a size of coach thing, as it is the brand of Motorhome. I have a new 35' coach that came with a modern fully hydraulic system.

Electric Systems:
- Generally have an electrical limit switch. You don't want the switch to get fouled with water/mud/gravel/sand/dirt, or it won't work.
- Independent, if one goes, the rest of the system isn't compromised.
- Chrome or painted - It may rust and requires maintenance.

Hydraulic Systems:
- Older systems have big springs to retract the pistons. You don't want gravel/sand/dirt/mud in the springs.
- Newer systems have no springs. Must become familiar with manual retract process if things stop working.
- If one leveler goes bad, (like a bad leak), the entire system may not work, (only some systems).
- Stainless Steel - carefree.

I am particular to Hydraulic Systems. I have an HWH System on mine that has been trouble free. I have yet to have a problem with the springs get fouled with sand , dirt, mud. I suppose that it's possible, but I, nor anyone I know has ever experienced it.

I would like to know of which hydraulic components were/are ever made from Stainless Steel?

1st), The electric Atwood levelers are now micro-processor based. I believe they came out around 202 ish. This seem to have fix the earlier problems of the weld breaking. Especially since you CANNOT over Extend the Jack-screw nor will ram home and hit the plate. Some of my friends who have the earlier version believe it was a load issue. The higher load better weld job and bigger mounting plates. Lets not forget the electronic control pad.

The HWH Hydrauic system which is on my coach has there own issues, some of which are leaking seals, breaking lines, solenoids, control pads.

All levelers will have issues some time in the life of the RV. You have to learn how to overcome the problems and being able to fix it or troubleshoot on the road. Best information I could give is . Learn your RV, be able to troubleshoot the basic systems.

2nd)Our rig was painted in Bremen IN

It's not so much a size of coach thing, as it is the brand of Motorhome. I have a new 35' coach that came with a modern fully hydraulic system.

Electric Systems:
- Generally have an electrical limit switch. You don't want the switch to get fouled with water/mud/gravel/sand/dirt, or it won't work.
- Independent, if one goes, the rest of the system isn't compromised.
- Chrome or painted - It may rust and requires maintenance.

Hydraulic Systems:
- Older systems have big springs to retract the pistons. You don't want gravel/sand/dirt/mud in the springs.
- Newer systems have no springs. Must become familiar with manual retract process if things stop working.
- If one leveler goes bad, (like a bad leak), the entire system may not work, (only some systems).
- Stainless Steel - carefree.

milkman41 wrote:
I have noticed that larger DP models have hydraulic levelers, less large (39 & below) have electronic levelers. Is there anything to be aware of with electronic?

Many Winnebago products use hydraulic levelers regardless of the engine type or size of the vehicle. Our 2001 Adventurer 32V had HWH hydraulic levelers. Our 2013 Adventurer 32H also has hydraulic levelers.

The newer one uses Lippert rather than HWH. Personally I like the power up and down of the Lippert system. The HWH used spring return that often was slow due to temperature or the age of the springs.

The nice thing about the HWH is they use stainless steel rams. They don't have to be cleaned and wiped down with silicone to keep them from rusting.

time_to_go_now wrote:

Dale.Traveling wrote:
What I've always wondering about is why do the builders install the operator's panel in the driving area? I installed the panel near my slide controls mid coach. Jacks go down slides go out, slides come in jack go up.

Because I pull into a spot, set the e-brake, and push the leveler button. Then I get up and push out the slides.

When it is time to leave, my wife brings in the slides. I get into the drivers seat, start engine, let it warm up a bit, retract the levelers, and drive away.

Would be odd not to have the leveler control panel within drivers reach.

Yep,
I too really like the fact that the controls for both leveling and, the main slide are right close to the drivers seat. I can get it all done from that spot. That includes setup and, take down.
Scott

Dale.Traveling wrote:
What I've always wondering about is why do the builders install the operator's panel in the driving area? I installed the panel near my slide controls mid coach. Jacks go down slides go out, slides come in jack go up.

Because I pull into a spot, set the e-brake, and push the leveler button. Then I get up and push out the slides.

When it is time to leave, my wife brings in the slides. I get into the drivers seat, start engine, let it warm up a bit, retract the levelers, and drive away.

Would be odd not to have the leveler control panel within drivers reach.