Winnebago Minnie 25B levelers and any comments

tjfogelberg wrote:
Really liked the 25B but no counter space. We bought a 31D in Oct, already have 3,500 miles on it and it handles like a dream. I was really worried about the size (up from a 27' Lazy Daze) but we have had no problems driving or parking it. It has air bags in the rear that seem to contribute a smooth ride. Can drive comfortably with 1 hand on the wheel. Back up and side view cameras are wonderful. We love the factory installed HWH jacks when they work They failed on this trip. HWH talked us through manual retraction and diagnosed problem as a bad shuttle valve. Appt next month to fix under warranty at HWH in Moscow, Iowa. If you can afford a bigger rig, look at the 31D. It handles very well. They run 87K loaded.

I did not want levelers. After slideout failure, the levelers or jacks are often next on the list. We have over 7,000 miles on our rig now, and have yet to park overnight anywhere that required levelers. Happy to not have them.

Really liked the 25B but no counter space. We bought a 31D in Oct, already have 3,500 miles on it and it handles like a dream. I was really worried about the size (up from a 27' Lazy Daze) but we have had no problems driving or parking it. It has air bags in the rear that seem to contribute a smooth ride. Can drive comfortably with 1 hand on the wheel. Back up and side view cameras are wonderful. We love the factory installed HWH jacks when they work They failed on this trip. HWH talked us through manual retraction and diagnosed problem as a bad shuttle valve. Appt next month to fix under warranty at HWH in Moscow, Iowa. If you can afford a bigger rig, look at the 31D. It handles very well. They run 87K loaded.

We have a 2008 e450 Winnie access 24v and put on the hwh through camping world about 7 years ago with the automatic leveler system, it makes it very easy to level and stable, I would do it again. They installed the brackets and all they were the kick down type

DAS26miles wrote:
Solo, did you have to get mounts for the brackets or were they already there? Also, do you have problems with them catching and bending the stop pin? I had to raise mine up 1" as the rear was catching and bending the pin and still do on occasion.
!

I had no contact issues with my system but, when I did the fabrication necessary for the installation, I paid special attention to the departure angle (a line drawn from the rear tire to the lowest point at the rear-usually the hitch) and made sure that the retracted leveler pads where above that point. Big Foot provides the appropriate brackets for your specific vehicle installation with the kit. This was not a simple plug and play system as fabrication was necessary but it was certainly something that can be done with moderate skills if you are so inclined.

Not sure what you are referencing by "bending the stop pin". The Bigfoot system is a direct acting hydraulic ram set-up so if the hydraulic pump brings up the ram/foot to it's retracted position, you are good to go. Big Foot does not use springs to retract the ram.

Solo, did you have to get mounts for the brackets or were they already there? Also, do you have problems with them catching and bending the stop pin? I had to raise mine up 1" as the rear was catching and bending the pin and still do on occasion.
The steering on my 28' drives me crazy as the 202" wheel base makes turns horrible and I have to turn the steering wheel much farther to make the same turn in my old Minnie. There was a noticeable difference in driving a small Class A like the Winnebago Vista since the steering turns much farther than E-450 Ford chassis.
Lots of pros and cons on both. My current 28' has every option imaginable but it's a beast!

j-d wrote:
We've had two Class C's with HWH Kickdown Levelers. Both manual control. I don't know who installed the first set, the current ones were installed by CW.

I like the idea of Levelers, but Kickdown has been a PITA on both coaches. They extend before kicking down. They fold part way up but the rams don't retract. I also think they wobble when deployed.

I had HWH kick down installed on my bounder and they worked fine, kicked down then extended. and yes, I would spend the money on levelers before wasting it on FBP and other ego pleasers.
bumpy

DAS26miles wrote:
Checking out the Winnebago Minnie 25B and wondering if anyone has installed after market automatic or manual levelers. I see Winnebago doesn't have them as an option. Also any other comments from 25B owners please chime in.
We had a 2004 Minnie 22E and really enjoyed it especially the passenger side dinette. Upgraded to another manufacturer longer 28' Class C loaded with options like 2 slide, levelers, 3 TVs, full body paint and find it a beast to drive and unpredictable issues. Looking into downsize and a more reliable RV.

We were not 25B owners but, 23D Winnebago Aspect owners and I did install the Big Foot Leveling System. Did we really "need" levelers? Perhaps not many may say yes but, oh boy was it really nice to simply pull in and push that button!

I did the install myself which is doable if you have some reasonable skills and tools. We REALLY like the Big Foot product and product support.

DAS26miles wrote:
Checking out the Winnebago Minnie 25B and wondering if anyone has installed after market automatic or manual levelers. I see Winnebago doesn't have them as an option. Also any other comments from 25B owners please chime in.
We had a 2004 Minnie 22E and really enjoyed it especially the passenger side dinette. Upgraded to another manufacturer longer 28' Class C loaded with options like 2 slide, levelers, 3 TVs, full body paint and find it a beast to drive and unpredictable issues. Looking into downsize and a more reliable RV.

Yep feel your pain on the longer MH, sure is nice having the walk around bed , the slide out for more room dinette area.

Now comes the I sure miss the 25.5 ft size of our last one.
Hey its only 4.2 ft longer ! Yeah well that 4.2 ft longer makes a big difference. I can't do a u-turn at 99% of the intersections anymore that I could easily do before ! Now look ahead before just pulling off the road.
I now have to watch for pulling in and out of places the tail end is so low it will and has dragged even going in/out at an angle !

I think its more being the Ford chassis ? But I've had a heck of a time getting the steering down to be controllable on our Aspect 28b which is 29.7 ft long .

As for levelers it is so nice just to pull in hit a switch and stand back and let it do its thing, instead of the pull up on blocks , back off them add another block here add another one to the one side of the rear etc etc, then say good enough ...

Then get the scissor jacks out run them up on each side of the rear to help stabilize the rocking back and forth.
Some will relate , when the Mrs is putting on makeup/contacts etc, the rig is NOT to move ! lol

28 footer and use Anderson levelers when needed.

My Winnebago Minnie 22e had no levelers and i used the leggo blocks. My Forest River 28' class came with Bigfoot levelers and because of the long wheel base it takes a lot of lift to level. Forest River has brackets for all their Ford chassis welded on at start of the build of the cutaway.