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  1. #1
    Fireside Member
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    Electric vs Hydraulic Leveling?

    Is one more reliable? Easier to fix? Speed?

    I guess i am just confused between the difference of the two?
    2019 Ford F-350 Lariat Diesel CC SB SRW, payload 3680
    2018 Rockwood Roo 233
    Next Year - Reflection 340RDS

  2. #2
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    Hydraulic should be significantly faster and stronger. Electric is probably easier to fix with just 6 separate motors, no lines, pumps etc. I will always go with hydraulic if given the choice. My Dads pinnacle w/electric is painfully slow. I can lift my entire unit off the ground without breaking a sweat.

    Very small sample size but my hydraulics have been trouble free for 3 years, My Dads Pinnacle has been nothing but trouble, Both run off the same Lippert control system FWIW
    2021 Solitude 375 RES-R
    2024 GMC Denali ultimate DRW

  3. #3
    Site Team Second Chance's Avatar
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    My BIL's Reflection has electric auto-leveling, our Solitude has hydraulic (which also means the big slides on the Reflection are electric and on the Solitude they are hydraulic). Our previous Reflection was electric "everything" but didn't have auto-leveling. Now, with all that said: the hydraulic leveling systems are significantly faster and more powerful than the electric. The large hydraulic slides also move in and out much faster and more positively than their electric cousins. I much prefer hydraulic to electric, personally.

    Rob

    PS: the electric systems require less skill and knowledge to repair, IMHO.
    U.S. Army Retired
    2012 F350 DRW CC LB Lariat PS 6.7
    2020 Solitude 310GK-R, MORryde IS, disc brakes,
    Sailun LRG tires, solar, DP windows, W/D
    (Previously in a Reflection 337RLS)
    Full time since 08/2015

  4. #4
    Site Team xrated's Avatar
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    I'm on the same page with you guys.......love the hydraulic leveling and slides.
    2016 F350 CrewCab Dually
    2018 Momentum 394M...Heavily Modded!
    2023 Suzuki GSX-S1000 GT+
    Excessive Payload is a Wonderful Thing

    "If it ain't fast....It ain't Fun"

  5. #5
    Site Team xrated's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gotime4 View Post
    Is one more reliable? Easier to fix? Speed?

    I guess i am just confused between the difference of the two?
    I'm guessing, and it's just a guess, you are asking this and wondering if you should go with hydraulic or electric. Well the bottom line, as far as I know, they really don't give you a choice of one vs. the other. Basically, it's not an option that you get to choose, it is trailer model dependant....some models have hydraulic, some have electric
    2016 F350 CrewCab Dually
    2018 Momentum 394M...Heavily Modded!
    2023 Suzuki GSX-S1000 GT+
    Excessive Payload is a Wonderful Thing

    "If it ain't fast....It ain't Fun"

  6. #6
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    We downsized sized a little from a toyhauler with hydraulic levelling and slides to our reflection with electric. The hydros were for sure faster.

    There were times when we were in need of fuel and there was no way we were getting into the gas pumps with the trailer hitched, in some of the small towns we were in. So we dropped the trailer a few times to access fuel without it. It was very quick and easy with hydro level.

    Mike

  7. #7
    Fireside Member
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    how much slower is the electric?
    2019 Ford F-350 Lariat Diesel CC SB SRW, payload 3680
    2018 Rockwood Roo 233
    Next Year - Reflection 340RDS

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gotime4 View Post
    how much slower is the electric?
    That would be hard to quantify without identical units with each system but it’s significant.
    2021 Solitude 375 RES-R
    2024 GMC Denali ultimate DRW

  9. #9
    Site Team xrated's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gotime4 View Post
    how much slower is the electric?
    Just a guess on my part, but I'd say that electric is maybe 1/2 the speed of hydraulic.
    2016 F350 CrewCab Dually
    2018 Momentum 394M...Heavily Modded!
    2023 Suzuki GSX-S1000 GT+
    Excessive Payload is a Wonderful Thing

    "If it ain't fast....It ain't Fun"

  10. #10
    Long Hauler geotex1's Avatar
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    For me personally, speed is not a factor. I prefer being able to enact a field fix rapidly. So, electric-mechanical is my preference. We also camp in cold weather, which is challenging to the hydraulic systems used on trailer campers.
    Rob & Nikki + Cloverfield
    2020 Grand Design Solitude S-Class 3350RL
    2015 RAM 3500 Longhorn Laramie Crew Cab, Long Bed, 4x4 Dually Cummins/AISIN

    Mountains of Pennsylvania

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