Hydraulic vs Electric Landing Gear

[Halmfamily]

We are looking at new fifth wheels, the Cardinal has hydraulic 6 point leveling system and the Jayco has 6 point electric leveling system. Our current unit has hydraulic front landing gear and I really like how fast it is.

My question, is one system better than the other? Is there any pros and cons? It's not a deal breaker for me as the wife will get the layout she wants. I just want quality

Thanks for your replies.

[goducks10]

avvidclif1 wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

Ryanjb01 wrote:
Look at any piece of heavy equipment, they are all hydraulic. If electric was better(more durable) they would be electric. Fact is, they are not. Hydraulic is king for doing work.

As mentioned, electric is less expensive. You get what you pay for.

using your logic, shouldn't all RVs be diesel then?
bumpy

Most if not all of the higher end ones are.

Thats why they're higher end.

[waltbennett]

Halmfamily wrote:
We are looking at new fifth wheels, the Cardinal has hydraulic 6 point leveling system and the Jayco has 6 point electric leveling system. Our current unit has hydraulic front landing gear and I really like how fast it is.

My question, is one system better than the other? Is there any pros and cons? It's not a deal breaker for me as the wife will get the layout she wants. I just want quality

Thanks for your replies.

We've electric, but have camped with a lot of folks with hydraulic. The hydraulic ones are very quick to set up and take down, but can be frustrating when the electronics don't want to cooperate. Doesn't happen often, but when it does it'll take time. There is less movement after setting up, but it's about the same as after we've tightened up our Strong Arms (that's a 4 point Level Up comparison, I'd imagine putting a pair of alum. screw jacks under the middle would equal a 6 point).

Bottom line, I'd go for it as you'll spend less time pushing buttons overall - just be prepared for the infrequent time when you've got to go manual or reboot the thing. Kind of like having a PC in your life!

[john_bet]

I can trouble shoot electric actuator and disconnect it faster than a hydraulic unit with less mess. Then if need be back to the old fashion way of leveling. And yes I have had one of my current front electric legs shear a pin while out on the road. I dealt with it and went on home. Repaired when I got home.

[laknox]

Ryanjb01 wrote:
Look at any piece of heavy equipment, they are all hydraulic. If electric was better(more durable) they would be electric. Fact is, they are not. Hydraulic is king for doing work.

As mentioned, electric is less expensive. You get what you pay for.

Nope. It's because if electrics were used, you end up with something that looked like a steam shovel, with motors and cables all over. Hydraulics are much more compact and act directly on what needs to be moved.

Lyle

[avvidclif1]

Bumpyroad wrote:

Ryanjb01 wrote:
Look at any piece of heavy equipment, they are all hydraulic. If electric was better(more durable) they would be electric. Fact is, they are not. Hydraulic is king for doing work.

As mentioned, electric is less expensive. You get what you pay for.

using your logic, shouldn't all RVs be diesel then?
bumpy

Most if not all of the higher end ones are.

[RustyJC]

Electric systems have their Achilles heel in the gear reduction gearboxes. Break a gear and you're out of business.

I've had electric and hydraulic, and I'll go with hydraulic every time.

Rusty

[Bumpyroad]

Ryanjb01 wrote:
Look at any piece of heavy equipment, they are all hydraulic. If electric was better(more durable) they would be electric. Fact is, they are not. Hydraulic is king for doing work.

As mentioned, electric is less expensive. You get what you pay for.

using your logic, shouldn't all RVs be diesel then?
bumpy

[Ryanjb01]

Look at any piece of heavy equipment, they are all hydraulic. If electric was better(more durable) they would be electric. Fact is, they are not. Hydraulic is king for doing work.

As mentioned, electric is less expensive. You get what you pay for.

[avvidclif1]

j2catfish wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

j2catfish wrote:
Had both, really like hydraulic better. My old electric front jacks were over loaded from the factory so I bought a second motor and wired it so that the front jacks could be controlled by themselves. (Removed the cross over bar).

WAS THIS an electric jack issue or a construction/design issue?
bumpy

I'd say a design problem, but I could have overloaded the front compartment. Some people have been known to do that! The original motor might have been marginal because the problem went away when I added the second motor and gear box. YMMV.
Catfish

The front cylinders on the Lippert 6 point are rated for 12k lbs EA. I don't think you could overload them. The other 4 are smaller at 8k EA. That's why you can lift the entire RV, 56k lbs of lift.

[DSteiner51]

j2catfish wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

j2catfish wrote:
Had both, really like hydraulic better. My old electric front jacks were over loaded from the factory so I bought a second motor and wired it so that the front jacks could be controlled by themselves. (Removed the cross over bar).

WAS THIS an electric jack issue or a construction/design issue?
bumpy

I'd say a design problem, but I could have overloaded the front compartment. Some people have been known to do that! The original motor might have been marginal because the problem went away when I added the second motor and gear box. YMMV.
Catfish

World of difference... front landing gear on one motor or leveling system. The only thing in common is electric.

Electric system... computer computes and sends power directly to individual jacks. Pro: less to go wrong? Con: mice?
Hydraulic system... computer computes and send signal to solenoids to operate pump and valves to send hydraulic fluid to individual jacks. Pro: More robust? Cons: mice?

[tinner12002]

Bumpyroad wrote:
yep, my automatic hydraulic system was great, until it wasn't.
bumpy

And so it would be with electric until it isn't, they are all great when they are working properly. If you have issues with any I'm sure its a pain though I do believe a hyd cylinder would be cheaper to replace if necessary than an electric one. Plus the hyd is much faster!

[DSteiner51]

The thread heading says landing gear then asks about 6 point leveling system. Which is it? Many older electric landing gear had one motor/gearbox for the landing gear while the new leveling systems use individual motor/gearbox for each jack.

My auto level system is electric and works great. The length of time for it to level depends on how far off it is when I push the auto level button. Sometimes it seems it takes a bit for the computer to figure out what is what and then soft dirt will make it rethink also. On concrete or hard surface usually by the time I get the power cord out and hooked up it is done leveling. Soft dirt or way out of level I may beat it.

I never have to worry about leak down of the hydraulics, no oil leaks, no stuck valves, no bad hose ends or hoses and since usually only one jack operates once jacks hit the ground I'm gonna guess less load on the battery at any one time.

I've just had mine a year and only used it maybe 15-20 times but it makes me smile every time I push the auto level button then remove the power cord and water hose to do my part while it does it's magic. Ultimately either system should work well, buy the trailer you really want and take the system it comes with. You will smile either way.

[Bumpyroad]

Racine96 wrote:
My dealer guy says hydraulic are better but also more expensive.

more expensive, that means the dealer makes more $$ if he sells them?
bumpy

[Racine96]

My dealer guy says hydraulic are better but also more expensive.