Please tell me about the different types of leveling sytems

[janegowest]

We don't know much about the leveling systems in the 5ers. How many types are there? And how do they operate? we know that the auto-levels are just that, but the others, we don't know much about.

What should we look for in terms of the leveling system, if it does not have auto-leveling? What is the best type?

Thanks for your help in advance!

[janegowest]

SabreCanuck wrote:

janegowest wrote:

SabreCanuck wrote:

janegowest wrote:
Well...there must be something better than all manual...how do electric and hydraulic jacks work?

Dear Jane,

The work by pushing a button and drinking a beer while your Trailer moves up and down until level. Literally.

But you should remember that they are expensive to add after the fact because you started a similar topic 4 days ago.
Here

That thread was about about adding auto-leveling after purchase. This thread is about the different types of leveling systems that are already on used units, to determine how easy/difficult they are to set up, so that we can add that factor to the mix.

Which I answered with my first sentence....

I'm growing weary....... You ask a lot of questions.. It's hard to keep up. Learning is fun. Teaching can be tiresome.

Might I suggest trying Google or Youtube search for some of the technical answers? Pretty much every single item in the world has a Youtube video on 'how-to' these days.

Good luck!
Good night.

[SabreCanuck]

janegowest wrote:

SabreCanuck wrote:

janegowest wrote:
Well...there must be something better than all manual...how do electric and hydraulic jacks work?

Dear Jane,

The work by pushing a button and drinking a beer while your Trailer moves up and down until level. Literally.

But you should remember that they are expensive to add after the fact because you started a similar topic 4 days ago.
Here

That thread was about about adding auto-leveling after purchase. This thread is about the different types of leveling systems that are already on used units, to determine how easy/difficult they are to set up, so that we can add that factor to the mix.

Which I answered with my first sentence....

I'm growing weary....... You ask a lot of questions.. It's hard to keep up. Learning is fun. Teaching can be tiresome.

Might I suggest trying Google or Youtube search for some of the technical answers? Pretty much every single item in the world has a Youtube video on 'how-to' these days.

Good luck!
Good night.

[GoPackGo]

dedmiston wrote:
We have the 6 point Level Up system on our new toy hauler and so far I haven't been impressed. I spoke with Lippert on the phone and they said that it sounds like one of the sensors is faulty and that I should take it to my dealer for warranty service. The dealer is booked until late next month.

My two problems are...

Autolevel has never worked. It goes through of its gyrations and seems like it's almost level and then it nearly tips the trailer over to one side or the other. It's pretty scary to watch. Luckily it errors out and stops.

Also, the campsite has to be VERY level to even use the jacks in the first place. We dry camped at a pretty flat location last weekend and after extending all the jacks to the ground I couldn't level from side to side because of "excessive angle". The angle wasn't anywhere near as excessive as when the autolevel tried to tip it over. I had to pull up on 4" leveler blocks and get it nearly level before the jacks would operate. Why have autolevel jacks if you have to level the rig first?

I admit that it sounds like you have a system that needs to be looked at, but in the mean time have you tried to reset the system ? The procedure is in your manual. Basically you manually level it using the front/rear/side jacks and then tell it's brain this is the new 'level'. After that, when you hit 'autolevel', it should level your rig based on the new inputs.

I'm not saying this will absolutely solve your problem but since you can't get it into the dealer for a few months . . . .

[janegowest]

SabreCanuck wrote:

janegowest wrote:
Well...there must be something better than all manual...how do electric and hydraulic jacks work?

Dear Jane,

The work by pushing a button and drinking a beer while your Trailer moves up and down until level. Literally.

But you should remember that they are expensive to add after the fact because you started a similar topic 4 days ago.
Here

That thread was about about adding auto-leveling after purchase. This thread is about the different types of leveling systems that are already on used units, to determine how easy/difficult they are to set up, so that we can add that factor to the mix.

[SabreCanuck]

janegowest wrote:
Well...there must be something better than all manual...how do electric and hydraulic jacks work?

Dear Jane,

The work by pushing a button and drinking a beer while your Trailer moves up and down until level. Literally.

But you should remember that they are expensive to add after the fact because you started a similar topic 4 days ago.
Here

[Dutch___Di]

We started out in 1996 with with a brand new Carriage 5th wheel which auto jacks and they did their job. Even though our Carriage was 14 years old,we had the Big Foot Levelers put on in 2010. For us, being fulltimers, it was an easy decision. We have been extremely happy with them and such a convenience. After all the goal for us is a quick and easy setup so we have more time to relax and enjoy our surroundings. Let us know what you decide. Hugs, Di

[janegowest]

Well...there must be something better than all manual...how do electric and hydraulic jacks work?

[laknox]

janegowest wrote:
No, I guess I didn't express myself properly in my OP.

Since we are shopping used, most of them do NOT have auto-leveling, so I was wondering what else to look for, in terms of ease of use in leveling systems.

What all was out there, in terms of the older leveling systems and how much effort it took to use them.

If it doesn't have a system already installed, then you're back to the aforementioned "manual" system. Use bubble levels, either installed on the FW or somewhere on the frame, use some boards or "lego" blocks to level side x side, unhitch, then use the landing legs to level fore/aft. Pretty simple, just takes some time.

Lyle

[laknox]

janegowest wrote:

laknox wrote:

janegowest wrote:
We don't know much about the leveling systems in the 5ers. How many types are there? And how do they operate? we know that the auto-levels are just that, but the others, we don't know much about.

What should we look for in terms of the leveling system, if it does not have auto-leveling? What is the best type?

Thanks for your help in advance!

Jane, there are 3 basic ways to level a trailer.

1) Landing jacks (can be manual or powered) and boards under the wheels, supplemented by rear manual or powered stabilizer jacks in the rear.

2) Electric leveling systems. They use the front landing jacks and either jacks behind the rear axle (4 point system) or landing jacks and jacks in front and behind the axles (6 point system). Crudest are completely manual, but I don't think you'll find a manual system on anything built in the past few years; all are automatic.

3) Hydraulic leveling system. Same as electric, but uses hydraulic jacks instead of electric jacks.

For long-term parking, like a full season, jacking and cribbing the frame would be the best way to go, and most stable.

Personally, my next FW will have at least a 4 point system. 🙂

Lyle

Thank you!! This is what I wanted to know!

Are these listed in the order of technological development?

Can't really say, Jane, 'cept that the manual stuff definitely came first! 🙂

Lyle

[janegowest]

No, I guess I didn't express myself properly in my OP.

Since we are shopping used, most of them do NOT have auto-leveling, so I was wondering what else to look for, in terms of ease of use in leveling systems.

What all was out there, in terms of the older leveling systems and how much effort it took to use them.

[buc1980]

You want the best ?Then 6 points Level-Up you need .

[janegowest]

laknox wrote:

janegowest wrote:
We don't know much about the leveling systems in the 5ers. How many types are there? And how do they operate? we know that the auto-levels are just that, but the others, we don't know much about.

What should we look for in terms of the leveling system, if it does not have auto-leveling? What is the best type?

Thanks for your help in advance!

Jane, there are 3 basic ways to level a trailer.

1) Landing jacks (can be manual or powered) and boards under the wheels, supplemented by rear manual or powered stabilizer jacks in the rear.

2) Electric leveling systems. They use the front landing jacks and either jacks behind the rear axle (4 point system) or landing jacks and jacks in front and behind the axles (6 point system). Crudest are completely manual, but I don't think you'll find a manual system on anything built in the past few years; all are automatic.

3) Hydraulic leveling system. Same as electric, but uses hydraulic jacks instead of electric jacks.

For long-term parking, like a full season, jacking and cribbing the frame would be the best way to go, and most stable.

Personally, my next FW will have at least a 4 point system. 🙂

Lyle

Thank you!! This is what I wanted to know!

Are these listed in the order of technological development?

[dwayneb236]

Yep dedmiston, there is definitely something wrong with your system. So far mine has worked flawlessly. I could not be more pleased with it. Have only had to push autolevel and it goes through it's motions and it's perfectly level. First one I've ever had and cannot see not having one.

[GoPackGo]

SabreCanuck wrote:

dwayneb236 wrote:

phillyg wrote:
I think 6-point leveling is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

What he said!!!!

x3

x4 I will not have another rig without it.

[dedmiston]

We have the 6 point Level Up system on our new toy hauler and so far I haven't been impressed. I spoke with Lippert on the phone and they said that it sounds like one of the sensors is faulty and that I should take it to my dealer for warranty service. The dealer is booked until late next month.

My two problems are...

Autolevel has never worked. It goes through of its gyrations and seems like it's almost level and then it nearly tips the trailer over to one side or the other. It's pretty scary to watch. Luckily it errors out and stops.

Also, the campsite has to be VERY level to even use the jacks in the first place. We dry camped at a pretty flat location last weekend and after extending all the jacks to the ground I couldn't level from side to side because of "excessive angle". The angle wasn't anywhere near as excessive as when the autolevel tried to tip it over. I had to pull up on 4" leveler blocks and get it nearly level before the jacks would operate. Why have autolevel jacks if you have to level the rig first?