Auto level question, do I have a problem?

[armand_c]

We purchased our 260RD Reflection 5th wheel several years ago and in that time, we have used our leveling system often due to the unevenness of the terrain we were on. On this last trip we took a few weeks ago, we were at an RV park parked on a level dirt pad. When I activated the leveling system, I noticed that although the level i carry was showing we were slightly off level, I utilized the system and in its use, it had lifted one side of the tires almost 7 inches off the ground, higher than the Anderson leveling blocks we attempted to put under the tires. I spend a good 45 minutes trying different methods to remedy the problem only to end up with the same issue. A friend of mine happened to come visit us at the rv park we were at and showed me how to put the system in manual mode and lower the rear stabilizers and manually level the RV using the leveling system and a level. I am wondering if my system is wrong and can be reset? should i go by the tried and true level that I carry? This has happened before but we have been able to just shove the Anderson leveling block under the tires to support them, as I don't like the tires just hovering in the air (also the manual says definitely don't do this). Curious if anyone else has had this problem with these RV's and what they did to remedy the problem?

 

[livinthelife]

We purchased our 260RD Reflection 5th wheel several years ago and in that time, we have used our leveling system often due to the unevenness of the terrain we were on. On this last trip we took a few weeks ago, we were at an RV park parked on a level dirt pad. When I activated the leveling system, I noticed that although the level i carry was showing we were slightly off level, I utilized the system and in its use, it had lifted one side of the tires almost 7 inches off the ground, higher than the Anderson leveling blocks we attempted to put under the tires. I spend a good 45 minutes trying different methods to remedy the problem only to end up with the same issue. A friend of mine happened to come visit us at the rv park we were at and showed me how to put the system in manual mode and lower the rear stabilizers and manually level the RV using the leveling system and a level. I am wondering if my system is wrong and can be reset? should i go by the tried and true level that I carry? This has happened before but we have been able to just shove the Anderson leveling block under the tires to support them, as I don't like the tires just hovering in the air (also the manual says definitely don't do this). Curious if anyone else has had this problem with these RV's and what they did to remedy the problem?

We found when our rig was new it really wasn't all that level. Yes, it can be reset. Well, at least the auto level we have can be (our is Ground Control 3.0). I can't recall the specifics but it had to do with manually leveling it (preferably in a basically hard surfaced level spot) and then turning the auto level on/off a number of times. I don't recall the number of times, and yours may be different. You need to look up the paperwork on your auto level and see what it tells you.

 

[lorend]

We purchased our 260RD Reflection 5th wheel several years ago and in that time, we have used our leveling system often due to the unevenness of the terrain we were on. On this last trip we took a few weeks ago, we were at an RV park parked on a level dirt pad. When I activated the leveling system, I noticed that although the level i carry was showing we were slightly off level, I utilized the system and in its use, it had lifted one side of the tires almost 7 inches off the ground, higher than the Anderson leveling blocks we attempted to put under the tires. I spend a good 45 minutes trying different methods to remedy the problem only to end up with the same issue. A friend of mine happened to come visit us at the rv park we were at and showed me how to put the system in manual mode and lower the rear stabilizers and manually level the RV using the leveling system and a level. I am wondering if my system is wrong and can be reset? should i go by the tried and true level that I carry? This has happened before but we have been able to just shove the Anderson leveling block under the tires to support them, as I don't like the tires just hovering in the air (also the manual says definitely don't do this). Curious if anyone else has had this problem with these RV's and what they did to remedy the problem?

On our 2019 5er with the 3.0 controls, this is what we had to do to reset the auto-level. Manually level the rv then turn off the power on the controller, push front 5 times, then push rear 5 times, then push enter. This worked for us. I also had a couple of times where the auto-level lifted tires off the ground but it had the whole rv very high. I hit the retract button, then held the front button for a count of 5, then held the rear button for a count of 5. It dropped the height of the entire rig and then when I hit auto-level it gave me the success light.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

The auto level can be re-zeroed. But what you describe will still happen if you don't get it reasonably close to level with boards, levelers etc.
Don't ask the auto-level to correct a really out of level RV.

 

[Bungy]

The auto level can be re-zeroed. But what you describe will still happen if you don't get it reasonably close to level with boards, levelers etc.
Don't ask the auto-level to correct a really out of level RV.

Really? I never use boards or levelers and the auto level always comes through!

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Really? I never use boards or levelers and the auto level always comes through!

That's been my experience too, but maybe the OP was referring to Ground Control 3.0, which I believe is the electric auto level, and it may be more finicky.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Really? I never use boards or levelers and the auto level always comes through!

Sure it will do it, but you can end up with tires in the air, which the op was concerned about. Myself I always get the trailer reasonably level side to side with boards first and the tires will maintain contact with the ground. Important? I don't know. I just prefer it that way.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Scott, I hate to disagree, but I've ended up with the tires on one side lifted a bit off the ground, and had no problems. In fact the trailer felt a bit more stable that way, with less movement while walking around inside. AFAIC, the admonition not to raise the tires off the ground is a CYA by the builder. I've also used the levelers to raise the whole trailer while removing tires for changing, and suspension work. IMO it's simply a non-issue. The luxury of not having to carry boards, blocks, and such to level the trailer is one of the things I love about the Autolevel.

On Edit: To be clear I'm talking about a couple inches max, and I also prefer the tires on the ground, but am not concerned if they come up a little. But that's me.

 

[Bungy]

what he said^^^^^

 

[trailrydr]

Sure it will do it, but you can end up with tires in the air, which the op was concerned about. Myself I always get the trailer reasonably level side to side with boards first and the tires will maintain contact with the ground. Important? I don't know. I just prefer it that way.

I however do agree. Some campsites we have been too are so crowned with water run-off in mind that finding the "sweet spot" is a challenge. To many times have seen high sided or high nosed RVs because of poor leveled campsites prepped pads.

As for having tires off the ground, IMO it places alot of weight on the jacks and respected frame mounts, not to mention the frame itself on certain RV models like our 2" box steel supported under I-beam Reflection 150 295RL - which BTW starts directly in front of the forward axle to the very rear of the trailer. They wouldnt have placed it there if it wasnt a load carrying support IMO.

We, like you, always support our suspension (tires on some grounded surface) for several reasons. Less frame related bounce when walking thru the trailer, increased ground contact for bad weather (high wind) support, and overall frame support in multiple locations other than the landing, jacks, and rear stabilizers.

Our auto-leveling system is a 4 point, and maybe if we had a 6 point system I might have considered temporarily using it to help change tires. But would probably still use some ground support under any lifted suspension/tire during a auto leveling event even with the 6 point system.

And I do feel its important to do so for the reasons listed... especially for bad weather events while camping. IMO, you can never have enough ground support with a lifted vehicle.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

FWIW, if I had the four-point leveling system, I would be more concerned with having the tires on the ground. And we do have the tires on the ground most of the time, it just doesn't bother me if they occasionally aren't.

 

[trailrydr]

FWIW, if I had the four-point leveling system, I would be more concerned with having the tires on the ground.....

Just curious.... why would you be more concerned with tires on the ground?

I certainly understand preference of the quick setup of using the auto-level alone, but?

 

[Jerry Davis]

We bought a 2024 GD 303, have been out 2 times. Both times the auto level raises the tires up a couple inches in the air.
The saleman siad he always manual levels them. That auto level usually raises the tires off the ground.

When we got home I manual leveled them and tires stayed on the ground. I think I will just do that from now on

 

[Hoopy Frood]

We bought a 2024 GD 303, have been out 2 times. Both times the auto level raises the tires up a couple inches in the air.
The saleman siad he always manual levels them. That auto level usually raises the tires off the ground.

When we got home I manual leveled them and tires stayed on the ground. I think I will just do that from now on

The salesman's job is to sell, not to inform correctly. If your tires are raised off the ground unnecessarily, then something is wrong somewhere. Maybe it needs reprogramming. We never have a tire off the ground unless the ground is very unlevel.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

Just curious.... why would you be more concerned with tires on the ground?

I certainly understand preference of the quick setup of using the auto-level alone, but?

To me, it looks like the four point leveling just doesn't support evenly enough if the tires are off the ground. I would be more concerned with tweaking the frame. It's not just the quick setup with Autolevel, it's the fact I can hit Autolevel and go about doing something else, and when it's done, the trailer is level. Probably more level than I could manage without a fair amount of fiddling. Why mess with a good thing?

 

[Jerry Davis]

The salesman job should know their product. He was the one who walked me through the rv and showed me how it worked.

Ive found on level ground it still raises the rv off the ground. It is easy to manually level it. I installed stick on bubble levelers and they work fine

 

[Hoopy Frood]

The salesman job should know their product. He was the one who walked me through the rv and showed me how it worked.

Ive found on level ground it still raises the rv off the ground. It is easy to manually level it. I installed stick on bubble levelers and they work fine

If it's on level ground and it still raises the wheels off the ground something is wrong. You need to revisit that salesman and make him, or someone more knowledgeable, fix it.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

The salesman job should know their product.

He should, but that's not always the case.
You are correct in that manual levelling isn't overly difficult, but you paid for auto-levelling and you should get a proper functioning system. IF...it raises the RV tires off the ground on a level site, It isn't working correctly. Up to you I guess if you want the dealer to fix it though.

 

[Jerry Davis]

He should, but that's not always the case.
You are correct in that manual levelling isn't overly difficult, but you paid for auto-levelling and you should get a proper functioning system. IF...it raises the RV tires off the ground on a level site, It isn't working correctly. Up to you I guess if you want the dealer to fix it though.

If not salemen showing the operation of RV, who does?

 

[Bungy]

If not salemen showing the operation of RV, who does?

A person who knows the operation of the unit, Service Manager perhaps. The salesman knows how to sell, he probably knows very little about the ins and outs of every trailer on his lot (except for huntr70 of course!).