Level Up usage

[ohman_stm]

All, curious to hear how you use your Level Up system. This is my 3rd RV, but 1st one with this system - needless to say, I'm still getting use to it....

The couple times I have used the Auto Level feature, it's not resulted in the RV being level enough for me - based on a bubble level that I use to sanity check the system, and, the fact that both the wife and I feel the camper still leans a bit (left to right). I end up going into manual mode to adjust.

Now, before I even attempt to use Auto Level, I ensure the RV is level left to right, with boards under the tires if needed. Unhook, then drop the front jacks to get it level front to back. At this point, I've got it as level as I can, and am ready to run Auto Level, and drop the remaining 4 jacks. Right or wrong, I do this because I just don't trust the system enough (yet) to execute properly if I start from a non-level state. My fear (warranted or not) is it will tweak the frame or insides, as it goes through it's progressions (gyrations). Fact or fiction, the horror stories I've heard with cracked cabinets or them separating from the wall, are enough to make me......paranoid.

My questions:
1) Do any of you not use the Auto Level, and just manually level? I'm talking about going into Manual mode and using the Front, Rear, Left and Right buttons until you achieve a level state.
2) IF you do manually level, is there (or should there be) any concern that the "weight/pressure" on each of the 6 jacks is balanced/distributed equally? I *assume* Auto Level does this for you? It just seems that once you get all 6 jacks down, and then manually level (whether it's left to right or front to back) by extending the jacks (if needed), would put additional strain on the opposing side jacks. In my old campers with scissor jacks, I didn't worry about this AT ALL. Now with a hydraulic system, not sure.
3) Last night, after returning from a camping trip, I decided to Auto Level. When done, I noticed the non-door side of the RV had lifted high enough that the wheels were off the ground. It was level, but I just wasn't comfortable with all that weight on the jacks and the tires not helping some. Is this OK?

Thanks All! Excellent forum!
-Tom

 

[Steve and Cill]

Tom, in the Lippert Automatic Leveling Operation and Service Manual, it states more than a couple of times, "Be sure to park the Unit on solid, level ground." I carry 2X8X6' boards with us just in case the site is not fairly level. That way I can level from side to side before using the Level Up system. One of the first times we used our Solitude, after leveling, the driver side tires were a good 3 to 4 inches off the ground. I knew that wasn't right so I found a Home Depot close by and bought the boards I mentioned. From then on, before unhooking, I check with a bubble level to see how far off the site is and use the boards under the tires that need raising to get the camper level side to side before using the Level Up system.

Steve

 

[ACDW-Ottawa]

Your levelling system is capable of lifting the wheels off but that should be done for maintenance only and use Jack stands to support the RV for safety. This isn’t for normal use. I would not go in my RV when the wheels are off the ground.

In normal use, the levelling system works great. I use mine all the time and love it. I mean, thats why I paid the big bucks for it. to make my life easier, set-up faster, and not to have to carry a lumber yard in my truck. Now I only have to carry some square pieces of wood in case of a dee depression because the struts have a max extension of 18”.


Its very easy to check the level by scrolling through the display as it shows the degrees of alignmnet form right to left and rear to front. you don’t need a level for this unless your checking if the system did its job.


Unless you run into the system that Dave mentioned above, don't add wood under the wheels because your making the RV higher than it would normally be when sitting directly on the ground. Then you run the risk of the Level-up system not being able to level out the RV if the height is more than 18” of the extendable length of the struts. Also you will experience wheels coming off the ground in your case.


This could also be because your levelling system is not adjusted properly. Set-up your RV on a level area and run the level-up system. if it doesn’t level it properly, then run through the set-up procedure described in the Level-up manual. Its an easy job that takes 5 minutes. Its something like pressing the up button 10 times and then the down button 10 times and levelling it manually, but don’t quote me. This is the link for the operation and reset of the Lippert (LCI) Auto Level system (zero-setting the control) http://lci1.com/assets/content/support/manuals/om-level-up-automatic-leveling.pdf. My personal preference is to have the RV on a slight angle (0.1 degree) to the rear to help with water off.

I always use my alignment system in automatic mode. I do use it in manual mode as in the case of a campsite that is not level to add more wood under specific landing pads, or to adjust it for unhooking or hooking up to to truck, and when it stops because of extreme temperature.


Also be aware there is an in-line 10amp fuse located near the battery. Never use a higher rated fuse or the system will be damaged. See my other post.


Happy travels

 

[ohman_stm]

Thank you both for your replies, great to hear it!

-Tom

 

[TNFLineage]

I am in accord with Steve, above. We had just about the same experiences with tires off the ground. We also bought 2x8 and a bubble level to double check basic left/right level before unhooking. Then we let Auto Level do it's thing and every time it's been perfect. Now, that being said when we took a factory tour last spring I mentioned the tires off the ground and our Rep said the frame was more than strong enough to hold the weight of the tires. He is an engineer at GD and should know. Personally, I prefer more points of contact on the ground. Just my two cents.

 

[Gsport]

I use the level up exclusively on auto level. And more than once it has raised one side or the other completely off the ground with nothing bad happening. I think I remember the manual saying it will auto level when it it is 4 degrees or less off level

 

[82alaska]

Hi. We just bought a 2017 300GK and 3 times that I've used the auto level system it has lifted the tires off the ground several inches. Are you saying that when you park on a not level spot that you put small squares of wood under the struts?? And you do not put anything under the tires? Or do you you both?

I recall the dealer service guy told me when the system does lift the tires off the ground that I should rememdy that because the suspension shakles could drop down and I'd have an impossible time getting them back into correct position. Does that sound possible?

What I've done is roll the trailer up onto some boards to make it as near level side to side as I can, then drop some stacking blocks under the low side struts so that the strut willnot reach it's end of travel distance. But sometimes the whole thing seems like it is too high off the ground. Why would the shallow side lift up so much??

Did that make any sense?

 

[J&G garage]

I've got to ask, if you have to put boards under the wheels and landing gear what's the point of the level up system? That's exactly how one would level a trailer without the level up system.

 

[LCBoyer]

I've had tires off the ground on one side for a week at a time with no problems

 

[m3gene]

I have only used my 2016 384GK three times, but only have used the auto-level feature. Works great.

 

[Namlehse]

I just use the leveling system, never had an issue. I give it a bump left and right after it's up to take the movement out, then X Chocks for the last bit. I think it's told me out of stroke once, to which I hit the level again and it worked. I've parked on a few very uneven surfaces without to much of an issue.

 

[82alaska]

I agree Jim, that's why I'm asking around. Should it lift tires off the ground? and what issues might that cause. If my dealer PDI hadn't mentioned that I should fix it, I wouldn't be concerned at all and would do as you seem to. Just hit the button and let'er level. I'm just trying to get rid of a nagging thought in the back of my head about the suspension shakles falling.

 

[Cate&Rob]

I recall the dealer service guy told me when the system does lift the tires off the ground that I should rememdy that because the suspension shakles could drop down and I'd have an impossible time getting them back into correct position. Does that sound possible?

Did that make any sense?

The only time that I have seen the shackles flip is if all tires (both sides) are off the ground at the same time.
If it could happen with just one side lifted . . . this would be a much more common problem as tire changing is often done by lifting the frame on one side until both tires are off the ground.

Rob

 

[82alaska]

Level up worked

Hi, me again. Yesterday we came up to a TT campground called Snowflower. It's off I 80 at Yuba Gap, CA.

The spots were a little narrow and sloped downhill, but once I got in and chocked, I hit the Auto Level button and was amazed that it did it's job perfectly. Almost. . I'm still a little high in the front judging by my level on the island.
I have a few pics, I'll post in a minute.

 

[Rickflint]

I've got to ask, if you have to put boards under the wheels and landing gear what's the point of the level up system? That's exactly how one would level a trailer without the level up system.

Its not that the level up system won't make it level, if the site is so unlevel that the level up system raises the wheels off the ground and that concerns you the only way to cure it is to put blocks under the wheels. Sometimes I put blocks under the wheels when this happens sometimes I don't.

 

[nealkirk]

I just purchased a Reflection 303RLS. Love the level-up system. I have always leveled my campers as best I could when parking, using blocks/pads. This seems to be SOP for me. Then punch the button and watch the magic.
My question: I am currently forced to park on soft ground (boon-docking) and have placed large pieces of 2x8 under the jacks. The rig is level now, but I know after another inch or so of rain one of the 2x8s is going to sink. Can I run the level-up again? or will it mess everything up? or will it even run?
Of course I could manually adjust each jack, but that is a pain.
Thanks.

 

[Signguy71]

I have had the level up system for two years now. I pull in and hit the auto button and it is level. Only one time did I have a site where one side had the wheels off the ground. No need for wood or blocks unless it runs out off stroke. If you are leveling the camper before hitting the button, you are defeating the purpose of auto level.

 

[JCR GD]

Can I run the level-up again? or will it mess everything up? or will it even run?
Of course I could manually adjust each jack, but that is a pain.
Thanks.

I have found that re-auto-izing seems to work but acts kinda funny so I lift the rear jacks up enough to let the trailer settle then hit auto again.

 

[nealkirk]

Thanks, I will try that soon.

 

[chewy2324]

As LC said I also have had tires on one side off the ground for a week. I put blocks of wood under the low side jacks to assist, but still the auto level lifts the tires off the ground sometimes. I'm pretty new at this RV stuff so I just figured that, that's the way the system works.

Tom