4 point vs 6 point levelers

[maldds]

I'm looking at a 2021 Solitude S-class 3540gk-r that was built last summer. It has a 4 point leveling system and 16" wheels vs the now standard 6 point leveling system and 17.5" wheels. I'm towing with a RAM 3500 4WD dually.
I'd like to know if the 4 point system is adequate for this size fifth wheel and if anyone has experience with it on their unit that is this long.
Do the 17.5" wheels make the fifth wheel ride more level with a 4WD truck than the 16" wheels?
Thank you for your input.

 

[Canyonlight]

I'm looking at a 2021 Solitude S-class 3540gk-r that was built last summer. It has a 4 point leveling system and 16" wheels vs the now standard 6 point leveling system and 17.5" wheels. I'm towing with a RAM 3500 4WD dually.
I'd like to know if the 4 point system is adequate for this size fifth wheel and if anyone has experience with it on their unit that is this long.
Do the 17.5" wheels make the fifth wheel ride more level with a 4WD truck than the 16" wheels?
Thank you for your input.

Interesting. All the 3540s I have looked at on line (and a few in person) have had the 6 point system. The similar model 2930 has a 4 point system as the only Solitude that I am aware of with a 4 point. Would be great to see pictures, the MSRP, or even checking the VIN with GDRV Customer Service to learn more.

Larger or smaller wheels/tire sizes do not necessarily mean a large or smaller circumference/diameter/tire height. One needs to look at the total tire sizing (aspect, width, rim size) and then look at the manufacturer specs to determine for sure. There are charts on the net where you can input the tire sizing/wheel size to get a good idea of the circumference/diameter if any. I'm glad you brought this up.....hopefully someone has done the homework on these two rim/tire sizes and can share that.

Dan

 

[maldds]

Interesting. All the 3540s I have looked at on line (and a few in person) have had the 6 point system. The similar model 2930 has a 4 point system as the only Solitude that I am aware of with a 4 point. Would be great to see pictures, the MSRP, or even checking the VIN with GDRV Customer Service to learn more.

Larger or smaller wheels/tire sizes do not necessarily mean a large or smaller circumference/diameter/tire height. One needs to look at the total tire sizing (aspect, width, rim size) and then look at the manufacturer specs to determine for sure. There are charts on the net where you can input the tire sizing/wheel size to get a good idea of the circumference/diameter if any. I'm glad you brought this up.....hopefully someone has done the homework on these two rim/tire sizes and can share that.

Dan

Apparently they used the 4 point leveling system until the fall of 2020 and then switched to the 6 point. The 3540 I'm looking at was built Aug. 2020. It is new and I'm not sure if the reason it hasn't been bought yet is because of the leveling system. I'm trying to find out if this system is under rated for the long of an rv.

 

[Canyonlight]

Apparently they used the 4 point leveling system until the fall of 2020 and then switched to the 6 point. The 3540 I'm looking at was built Aug. 2020. It is new and I'm not sure if the reason it hasn't been bought yet is because of the leveling system. I'm trying to find out if this system is under rated for the long of an rv.

Hmm ? Here's one built on June, 2020 and it has the 6 point as with every one I have seen. Which dealer is the one you are looking at ? Please share the dealer link to the RV if you can or post some pictures of that RV leveling system (jacks/electronic control pane/MSRP.)

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2021-Grand-Design-SOLITUDE-3540GK-5012530299

Not doubting what you are saying but something seems "out of body" with that RV.

Steve [MENTION=331]huntr70[/MENTION] - what can you share about 4 point leveling on a 3540 ?

Dan

 

[maldds]

Hmm ? Here's one built on June, 2020 and it has the 6 point as with every one I have seen. Which dealer is the one you are looking at ? Please share the dealer link to the RV if you can or post some pictures of that RV leveling system (jacks/electronic control pane/MSRP.)

https://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2021-Grand-Design-SOLITUDE-3540GK-5012530299

Not doubting what you are saying but something seems "out of body" with that RV.

Steve [MENTION=331]huntr70[/MENTION] - what can you share about 4 point leveling on a 3540 ?

Dan

Here's a link to the page.
https://www.coachlightrv.com/rv/2021-Grand-Design-Solitude-S-Class-3540GK-R-Fifth-Wheel
Sorry this didn't copy so you can just click on the link.

 

[Canyonlight]

Here's a link to the page.
https://www.coachlightrv.com/rv/2021-Grand-Design-Solitude-S-Class-3540GK-R-Fifth-Wheel
Sorry this didn't copy so you can just click on the link.

Wow - Kim and Mark......this is the first from what I have seen. It does have the new upgraded interior as well. I would tend to be a little sceptical of the 4 point system even though the 3540 is not much heavier than the 2930 with the 4 point. I have nothing factual to base this on since I do not know the capacities of either of the leveling systems.

Hopefully, Steve will chime in and share what he knows on this.

Thanks, much for sharing the link.

Dan

 

[Pat and Karen]

Have you looked at this rig in person? There are Mid ship leveling jacks just in front of the front axle. I would think there would need to be leveling jacks behind the axle also. That would make this with 6 jacks

 

[maldds]

Wow - Kim and Mark......this is the first from what I have seen. It does have the new upgraded interior as well. I would tend to be a little sceptical of the 4 point system even though the 3540 is not much heavier than the 2930 with the 4 point. I have nothing factual to base this on since I do not know the capacities of either of the leveling systems.

Hopefully, Steve will chime in and share what he knows on this.

Thanks, much for sharing the link.

Dan

I asked the dealer to send me pictures of the leveling system to verify what he told me. I also contacted Lippert to see what their take is on this. I'm waiting for them to get back to me. Hopefully the invoice on the website is incorrect and it does have the six point.
Thanks for your help and interest.
Mark

 

[maldds]

Have you looked at this rig in person? There are Mid ship leveling jacks just in front of the front axle. I would think there would need to be leveling jacks behind the axle also. That would make this with 6 jacks

No, I have not seen the rv in person. It is in a different state. I have asked the dealer to send pictures of the jack setup.

 

[Pat and Karen]

I hope so too. I think they are electric jacks and not the hydraulic like the Regular Solitude line. If it is fact a four jack system, I would look elsewhere. We just bout a 378MBS Solitude with 6 point hydraulic leveling and it still moves some in the rear of the rig. I can only imagine how much that one would move around with only 4 jacks. Gook luck on your quest.

 

[Canyonlight]

I asked the dealer to send me pictures of the leveling system to verify what he told me. I also contacted Lippert to see what their take is on this. I'm waiting for them to get back to me. Hopefully the invoice on the website is incorrect and it does have the six point.
Thanks for your help and interest.
Mark

Yes, the pictures make it hard to see if any rear jacks (behind the tires.) The MSRP link attached does state 4 point and matches the VIN as well. keep us posted.

And yes, [MENTION=8597]Pat and Karen[/MENTION] - they are electric.

Dan

 

[zinman]

The leveling system is likely the Lippert Ground Control system. What is puzzling is the appearance of the front jacks, they don't look like the Lippert electric leveling jacks currently used.

 

[cfowler55]

I’ve had both systems. Looks to me like electric leveling. Front jack legs are adjustable with spring loaded pins. I think they have them extended quite a bit. That’s why the pin is so high. Hydraulic system the legs are not adjustable.
Charlie

 

[frank4711]

I would find another unit, 6 point is better for almost 40 feet and the upgrade to H rated 17.5 tires is a great change.

 

[huntr70]

That unit that is linked has the 6 point. You can see the mid ship stabilizers. I'm positive it will have the levelers behind the axles as well.

I've never seen a 3540 with 4 point leveling. It is most definite electric, as all S Class have.

 

[Canyonlight]

That unit that is linked has the 6 point. You can see the mid ship stabilizers. I'm positive it will have the levelers behind the axles as well.

I've never seen a 3540 with 4 point leveling. It is most definite electric, as all S Class have.

Steve - the MSRP states 4 point as well.

Dan

 

[maldds]

Yes, the pictures make it hard to see if any rear jacks (behind the tires.) The MSRP link attached does state 4 point and matches the VIN as well. keep us posted.

And yes, [MENTION=8597]Pat and Karen[/MENTION] - they are electric.

Dan

So, mystery solved. The dealer sent me pictures and the unit does have the 6 point system. Invoice is incorrect. That makes me feel better. I may have to jump on this one if the numbers work out.
Thank you all for all your input.
I have a different brand of fifth wheel now and am a member of that brand's owners forum. I don't get the help there that I've gotten here.

 

[Canyonlight]

So, mystery solved. The dealer sent me pictures and the unit does have the 6 point system. Invoice is incorrect. That makes me feel better. I may have to jump on this one if the numbers work out.
Thank you all for all your input.
I have a different brand of fifth wheel now and am a member of that brand's owners forum. I don't get the help there that I've gotten here.

Kim, Mark, and Lizzy the cat - great to hear !

Yes, this forum has always been more a family forum where folks truly want to help and learn in a caring, respectful, and kind way. Hope it all works out for you ! Keep us posted.

Will be interesting to learn more on the invoice/MSRP error.....if you do, please share that.

Thanks, again, for the update confirming what we thought s/b the case.

Dan

 

[huntr70]

Looking at the invoice pdf, it looks fabricated from the 2930RL MSRP list.

The 2930 is the only one with the 4 point leveling system.

 

[openrangeowners]

So, mystery solved. The dealer sent me pictures and the unit does have the 6 point system. Invoice is incorrect. That makes me feel better. I may have to jump on this one if the numbers work out.
Thank you all for all your input.
I have a different brand of fifth wheel now and am a member of that brand's owners forum. I don't get the help there that I've gotten here.

What current brand do you have now? We had an Open Range (from 2010) 399BHS - 40' long with Lippert's first iteration of 4 point (non auto-leveling) landing gear. It worked fine for that camper (was only 10800 dry weight even with 5 slides) - I learned how to manually level 4 point systems - also used it to do maintenance - repack wheel bearings, etc. and eventually wore out the front landing legs - they were very easy to replace and not too expensive.

The ease of servicing the electric systems versus hydraulic systems steered me towards the S-Class series. Love the speed of hydraulic - yes it is a great system, but if it fails it generally requires more effort to repair it, and may leave the system(s) unusable. Having the electric slides (each is independent) and electric landing gear (if a jack fails it is easy to replace it or temporarily remove it and work around it).