Level-up lost level over 10 weeks

[bncinwv]

I had mentioned this in another thread, but thought it might merit it's own in the event members actually respond according to subject titles on threads. We went to the rig in mini-storage where it has sat since Thanksgiving with only one visit by me in the ten week period since. During this ten week period the level-sup system unleveled itself to the extent that the rig was at an incline of about 7 degrees from front to back. The rig did not sit down any, but rather the rear jacks retracted and the front jacks extended is what it appears. Will return next weekend to see if anything similar occurs and to fully check the hydraulic system for signs of leakage, but I do not believe I will find any. Any suggestions as to what else to look for and possibly test?
Bingo

[NCFischers]

Use it more than every ten weeks

[Phil P]

Hello Bingo

I think I will stick to what I have. LOL

Phil P

[WaltBennett]

Sounds like you didn't leave enough food for the gerbils in the 'computer' thingie controlling it all and they did something mean to you. (And like Phil P, I'm kind of liking what I've got more too!)

[WeBeFulltime]

Too much weight in the rear from all the cash & gold bullion you have stored under the bed?

[richfaa]

We have not lost level after being set up for 6 months at a time for the last two years here in Florida... However. We do the level with the slides IN. That may make a difference... Wonder if cold weather has a effect???

[bncinwv]

I did notice that all of the feet appeared to have settled somewhat into the gravel lot. Freeze/thaw cycle possibly and self-compensating occurring on the various jacks is a new theory. Might have to go the board route beneath the feet pads or possibly during storage times only use the front jacks. I guess an inspection for leaks is step one, but I think it may be possibly weather related, you may be onto something there Rich. We have been from about 10 below to close to 70 above over the last 10 weeks. Good thought, Jim, unfortunately I have to work in the winter to free up time in the summer for camping!
Bingo

[JandC]

That is interesting. I am wondering if that has something to do with storage in that extremely cold weather up there? My buddy at our "home" campground back in Illinois left his SOB with slids in, utilities off, winterized on site, and leveled up. I will be curious to see what he finds when he gets back from down south.

[HOOK]

Bingo, get a 4 foot level and reset level according to manual. My best suggestion. I had to reset ours once. Don't know if it was set not level at factory or if it got off by itself. No problems since. I might add that it was off only a small amount.

[DQDick]

As you know, we spend more time in one place without exercising the system than we should and have never had the problem except when the ground is so soft the feet and pads under them are sinking. We have not, since we added level-up, spent any long periods of time where it's cold and never for any length of time below zero.

[H. John Kohl]

quote:Originally posted by bncinwv

I had mentioned this in another thread, but thought it might merit it's own in the event members actually respond according to subject titles on threads. We went to the rig in mini-storage where it has sat since Thanksgiving with only one visit by me in the ten week period since. During this ten week period the level-sup system unleveled itself to the extent that the rig was at an incline of about 7 degrees from front to back. The rig did not sit down any, but rather the rear jacks retracted and the front jacks extended is what it appears. Will return next weekend to see if anything similar occurs and to fully check the hydraulic system for signs of leakage, but I do not believe I will find any. Any suggestions as to what else to look for and possibly test?
Bingo

Bingo,
The wheel pistons float front and back. So if you nose changes height it is the front pistons causing the change. Along those lines the front pistons float side to side.
Good luck
Safe travels.

[maximo]

I am in Northern Calif 40 miles East of Sacramento in the foothills. Our Big Sky has been setting on a cement pad since the end of October leveled up with the slides in and has not moved a bit. The low temp in that time has been 28 a couple of days but most of the time in the low 30's to the high 60's. Have never been in the real low low temp's so do not know what would happen.

Frank

[bncinwv]

quote:Originally posted by HOOK

Bingo, get a 4 foot level and reset level according to manual. My best suggestion. I had to reset ours once. Don't know if it was set not level at factory or if it got off by itself. No problems since. I might add that it was off only a small amount.

After I reset the rig with the auto-level, it went back to the normal position. I need to look at the rear jacks to see if the rig actually settled that much in the gravel over the last two months. I am sure there is a logical explanation to be found.

Bingo

[JandC]

Contacted my buddy and he has had someone checking on his SOB and said his 6-point level up hasn't moved. The central Illinois area has had temperatures from -20 below to around 30 during the last 9 or 10 weeks. He is on a blacktop pad. He has also had 2' of snow build up on it since leaving. Could it have something to do with storing on gravel?

[bncinwv]

Very well could be related to settling on gravel. I will check next weekend, supposed to be in the 50's and 60's, so interior mod work in anticipation of the new camping season will most likely commence.
Bingo

[bethandkevin]

Bingo, I think you and Rich both may have a piece of the answer. Is there frost in the ground where you are? Heaving due to frost and then thawing would definitely be "unsettling".

[PackerFan]

Bingo, I had to re-level our rig a couple of times after setting up here. Usually after 3 or 4 weeks. We could feel the jackets dropping down. For the heck of it I tried placing wide jack pads under the jack feet and so far after 6 weeks I have not had to do a thing to it, nice and steady and level. We are sitting on a gravel pad and I did notice the jacks would sink slightly into the gravel.

Try the jack pads and see if it helps.

[richfaa]

When we are at the S&B we are on a concrete pad and we have not lost level. In Florida we are on pavers and have not lost level. At rallies and other short stays we may be on ground but have not been in soft ground or gravel with this 2013. My money is on settling while on soft ground.

[bncinwv]

I am thinking along those lines as well, since from my understanding, it is a self-compensating system, if the rear pads settled in soft gravel, it would make sense that the compensating nature of the hydraulic system would in turn, elevate the front of the rig. I am far from a hydraulic guru, but it does make sense to this simple hillbilly mind. Will do some investigating next weekend.
Bingo

[tbhd2]

Bingo All in good fun. You know I can't let this one go without some harassment. Living in West Virginia there's nothing level there. Sorry, just couldn't resist it.