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Old 12-26-2014, 04:59 AM   #1
Arizonacouple
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Leveling a hooked RV

Could do with some advice. We are newbies to the 5th wheel world and one of our hang-ups is hooking up and unhooking the Montana. We'll get better at it with practice but we are coming up to our 2nd trip - a four day event - and I'm wondering if I can use the auto level feature with the rig still attached to the TV? To me it sounds a little scary but I don't know how sophisticated the auto level system is.
 
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Old 12-26-2014, 05:44 AM   #2
davidaf
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The AutoLevel feature shouldn't be used with the truck attached. When you hit auto level it drops the nose considerably before it starts to level. You can however use the 6 point via the manual controls to stabilize the rig while the truck is attached. Unless the stop is a quick overnight I'd unhook, move the truck and autolevel. If it's a quick overnight, i wouldn't even bother with dropping the stabilizers. Either way having the rig a bit off level won't cause any problems if you don't fell like dealing with it.

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Old 12-26-2014, 05:57 AM   #3
Arizonacouple
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I agree with everything you've said and I've seen the auto level do its thing but I was wondering, if the camper is still attached, the nose can't drop. So at that point do you know if the auto level says, sorry I can't help you any further until the nose drops?
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Old 12-26-2014, 06:14 AM   #4
1retired06
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Instructions are specific and state the truck must be unhitched and clear of the rig before engaging auto level. Lot of pressure, something has to give ie break. Manual mode is perfect for the situation you describe.
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Old 12-26-2014, 06:25 AM   #5
Arizonacouple
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Ok. Got it. Did seem a little scary to me. It's a four day stay so we'll unhitch and level. I did say we needed the practice lol. Thanks for the help.
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Old 12-26-2014, 06:26 AM   #6
davidaf
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Best case, it works, worst case something breaks. If I were going to experiment, i'd get the dealer to do it with one of his rigs and tow vehicles. Always fun to see how far a sales guy will go to try and make a sale.

Another option is send an email (or phone call) off to Lippert and see what they say.
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Old 12-26-2014, 06:28 AM   #7
Rondo
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The auto level system and program is designed for the TV to be disconnected from the unit and pulled forward enough so the pin will not hit the TV tailgate or TV itself. I would not advise you to hit the auto level while the unit is hooked to the TV besides doing damage to the TV you will also damage the auto level unit and program itself. My advise is that if you are going to leave the TV attached to use manual mode leveling procedure which you have instructions for in your level-up manual on how to level the unit without the use of the automatic level-up procedure. I would hate to see what would happen to either the TV or the level-up unit, both the lines and the overall unit, if you pushed the auto level button. It could be really nasty and an expensive mistake!
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Old 12-26-2014, 06:29 AM   #8
jcurtis934
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If you want to experiment adding lots more weight into the truck rear axle that would exceed the pin weight, you could attempt...but me thinks it is folly and likely to cause lots of damage. Get used to using manual leveling in the meantime. John
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Old 12-26-2014, 07:07 AM   #9
davidaf
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Would it actually add more weight to the pin? I don't remember the rear levelers going down while the nose was being dropped. I'd expect the front jacks would just lift off the ground adding the normal amount of weight to the pin. I'd be concerned that It would get past the lowering point and start to jack the front end up putting a considerable upward force on the pin and hitch/hitch mount.

I think we all agree it's not to be done. Just a matter of curiosity at this point.
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Old 12-26-2014, 08:26 AM   #10
K0LCB
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I tried to use auto level while hooked up to TV. I received an error message and level up didn't level
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Old 12-26-2014, 09:26 AM   #11
Arizonacouple
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Thanks KOLCB. At least we now know it wasn't a hypothetical situation LOL
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Old 12-26-2014, 03:04 PM   #12
DQDick
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It is supposed to give you the error message and not function, but it's not worth the risk of finding out if that safety function works. We have stopped overnight and used the manual function when not unhooking the truck and it works fine. Just be careful your not lifting the truck up.
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Old 12-27-2014, 02:49 AM   #13
jlb27537
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I want to caution about something mine does. If I am off level side to side and am hooked up, I use manual mode as others have said to only lower the rear jacks to level side to side.

In the morning when you try and retract the rear jacks by using the left and right buttons, I will sometimes get the error message I am too off level and the jacks will not come up.

Stop and do not get frustrated. I have learned to use the "retract all" function and they all will come up.

When it is cool/cold in the morning and you use the retract all, mine will start to retract all, stop, think about it for a bit, retract a bit more, stop, think about it and after 3 or 4 stops of thinking about it, all will be up. It may be the ckt breaker tripping and resetting, probably ought to check it's amp rating but the display never goes dark, so it is probably doing what it is supposed to do.

If you get large temp changes at night you might/will get a popping/dropping feeling while in bed. I used the CAT fluid. LCI service bulletin here:

https://lci1.com/images/support/lipsheet/0295.pdf
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Old 12-27-2014, 03:58 AM   #14
lunalonestar
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We've never used Autolevel when hooked up, but for one nighters when I don't want to unhook, we level the unit using manual mode. Works great.
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Old 01-08-2015, 07:06 PM   #15
Jimmer
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I agree with all of the above comments. One comment that is important is to make sure your TV is completely out of the way of the 5th wheel. One time I removed my TV and parked it to the side of the 5th wheel, I forgot that it was going to go down and bottom out as part of the Auto Level and it started to hit the side of the bed, I was able to stop it before it did any damage but it learned me a good lesson to make sure the TV is clear of the 5th wheel. I usually use the Manual when I am getting ready to hook up my TV. I raise the rear levelers and then raise the front to get the TV hooked up. I have had no luck using the the two buttons to get it to go back to the original setting when I unhooked.
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