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Old 01-18-2019, 11:16 AM   #1
DaleRobertson
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Electric over Hydraulic vs Electric Leveling Systems

Looking at installing auto leveling on out 2014 Mountaineer DBQ345. It will be a 6 point system. I am looking for pros & conn feedback on hydraulic vs electric systems.
 
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Old 01-18-2019, 12:18 PM   #2
jeffba
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Hydraulics can leak making a mess.
May be harder to install.

Electric if they work are great.
They are too complex for most RV techs to troubleshoot.

Have had both.

Will not go with electric.
Could only get them to auto level 20% of the time.
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Old 01-18-2019, 03:28 PM   #3
DQDick
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Hydraulic for me for sure.
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Old 01-18-2019, 07:05 PM   #4
mtlakejim
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Hydraulics are more reliable for sure but more expensive and complex. If the pump goes out ALL of the legs are affected.


Electrics are all independent and easier to replace and certainly less expensive BUT they are not very reliable. If your not on a nearly perfectly level site they simply will not work about 50% of the time (and that's if you know all the tricks).


I have electric on mine But if I had a choice it would be hydraulic.


With either system I highly recommend you learn how to block under the legs so they don't stroke out very far. Your coach will be more stable and the legs of the system will be under less stress.
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Old 01-18-2019, 08:10 PM   #5
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Hydraulic for us
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Old 01-19-2019, 09:39 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by 1retired06 View Post
Hydraulic for us
Same here.
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Old 01-19-2019, 03:38 PM   #7
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I agree with Jim here:


Quote:
Originally Posted by mtlakejim View Post
With either system I highly recommend you learn how to block under the legs so they don't stroke out very far. Your coach will be more stable and the legs of the system will be under less stress.

However, the new GC 3 I think may be better than older systems. My driveway is chert and slopes down to the house and has a crown, nowhere near level. I put my 381 on the right side so the rear right would have to stroke the most while the front left would stroke the least. I have block them all differently and they definitely don't hit and stroke the same. Have not had any issues when I set up, 6 times thus far.
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Old 01-19-2019, 05:38 PM   #8
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Another vote for hydraulic......Never had electric and sure do like the hydraulic.
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Old 01-20-2019, 09:07 AM   #9
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Don't know about the new version electric, but good friends had a Jayco with the 2.0 electric and it was sloooooooow and always left one or two jacks not touching the ground. We're on our third unit with the Hydraulic and wouldn't have anything else.
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Old 01-21-2019, 03:13 PM   #10
scott schulz
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electric

I have the electric GC3 on my Montana HC and never had any problem with them. but they are slow
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Old 01-23-2019, 01:15 PM   #11
glendodom
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Hydraulic versus Electric

I have had 3 of the 6 point level up systems and would definitely vote for hydraulics.
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Old 01-23-2019, 01:18 PM   #12
Tom&julie
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Auto level

I have HYD on my 3791RD. The auto level works great as long as the ground is not too far out of level front to back. If you back in and unhook and the ground is higher in the front than the rear the auto level always starts by lowering the front. If it can not go down far enough to achieve level from front to back the system will time out. You will have to manually level your unit using the manual mode programed into the system.
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Old 01-23-2019, 01:57 PM   #13
StageCoachDriver
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I've had 2 5er's with electric leveling. Not had any problems with either. I have read on this board that hydraulic systems can get funky in cold weather when the fluid gets thick. The hydraulic pump tends to draw too much power and blows fuses. My electric leveling system is fused at 20 A.
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Old 01-23-2019, 02:10 PM   #14
LigonierMontana
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Leveling

Hydraulic for us. I have heard too many failure stories on the electric.
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Old 01-23-2019, 03:25 PM   #15
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I have had both types never had a problem with ether in warm weather.But I go winter camping in Michigan. In the cold weather hydraulic does not work very good. so that said if you are in warm weather go hydraulic. if you camp in Michigan winter weather go electric.
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Old 01-23-2019, 06:09 PM   #16
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I have had 6 pt. Hydraulic legs on 3 out of 4 RV'S and would never buy one without them.
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Old 01-24-2019, 05:21 AM   #17
scott schulz
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there has been people saying that they would not have electric levelers. because they had problems with them. I would like to know what problems you have had with them. so the people with them know what to look for, thanks
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Old 01-24-2019, 08:22 AM   #18
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Auto leveling

Hydraulic for us. 14 years full timing, 2 different rigs.
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Old 01-24-2019, 08:24 AM   #19
CaptnJohn
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scott schulz View Post
there has been people saying that they would not have electric levelers. because they had problems with them. I would like to know what problems you have had with them. so the people with them know what to look for, thanks
Ever try to clean oil after a hydraulic system fails? How about getting the smell out? Slides that creep out in storage are a plus, right?

On my 1st electric system 1 call was made to LCI to clear an error. My fault for over stroke, would have the same on hydraulic. Had 1 4 point electric and on my 2nd 6 point system. Will never go hydraulic again, but do notice a little slower leveling and slide movement. Must add about 45 seconds to set up time.
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Old 01-24-2019, 08:59 AM   #20
scott schulz
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thanks John i think this is what the guy is asking for is the prose and cons. and yes i have seen little leaks in the hydraulic.but i can seen big leaks happening if not seen in time
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