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Old 11-02-2010, 01:48 PM   #1
stiles watson
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Heads up on LevelUp

It was 29 degrees this morning when I hooked up. Everything was fine to hook up the truck. However, when I put it on "auto retract" and punched "enter" the back two legs did not retract completely. So I raised them by manual control.

The problem was the freezing temperature. The hydraulic fluid thickens in cold weather and might not completely retract. It is not broken if it happens to you. They will easily finish retracting with individual controls. But, the warning is, in cold weather, check the back legs to make sure they have retracted.

I confirmed the problem and the protocol with Ron, the installer.
 
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Old 11-02-2010, 01:54 PM   #2
Longwell
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Isn't it great to know there is ALWAYS something else to learn?
It keeps life "exciting."
Larry
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Old 11-02-2010, 03:36 PM   #3
8e3k0
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Synthetic ATF may solve that problem for the colder temps or simply give a wider temp range with a consistent viscosity on hydraulic oils.
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Old 11-02-2010, 05:15 PM   #4
helmick
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Stiles
I had the same problem with the back one on the entry side. It was 30 degrees in Colorado, I raised it by the manual control.
I always walk the rig and check all the leg on my walk around. I have only had that problem the one time and I have setup 16 times now. I hope I never leave in 30 degree weather again.
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Old 11-03-2010, 02:54 AM   #5
Tom S.
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by 8e3k0

Synthetic ATF may solve that problem for the colder temps or simply give a wider temp range with a consistent viscosity on hydraulic oils.
I agree! Synthetics have better low temp flow characteristics. The fluid may not be the only problem though. The cold may have shrunk seals or other components causing more restriction. I'd try the the fluid first though.
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Old 11-03-2010, 05:46 AM   #6
stiles watson
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I just got off the phone to Ron the installer. The chief system engineer was also there. I put forward to them the suggestion about synthetic ATF fluid. They said they had no data concerning the use of synthetic fluid. They said they would do some testing and get back to me.

The issue is that the computer is operating off of a pressure limit switch. When the pressure reaches the limit indicating that the legs are all retracted, it shuts down. More viscus fluid causes high pressure earlier in the game and "lies" to the computer about the leg position.

I will post their report of testing results when I receive it. The number of units installed are in the hundreds, not the thousands. I suspect we yet have some learning curve to experience.
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Old 11-03-2010, 10:51 AM   #7
c214dick
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Thanks for the info Stiles. I just put Monty to bed until we leave for Florida in December so I'll keep my eyes open. FYI to all level up owners, I received a copy of the Operation and Service manual for the system from Jarod. If I can figure out how to attach it I will otherwise send me an e-mail and I will forward it.
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Old 11-03-2010, 02:05 PM   #8
mhs4771
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Dick, the info you received from Jarod, is it different than the info on their web site
(url: http://www.lci1.com/OwnersManuals/Le...omatic-Web.pdf)?
I've looked through it and it seems to provide all the basic instructions, including the level calibration.
Can't wait to really get to use the system, but not until warmer weather comes back.
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Old 11-03-2010, 02:28 PM   #9
c214dick
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That's it. I couldn't find it and I looked at their list of publications. I'm interested in how to check the reservoir when everything is "in". I can't raise my front storage door when I'm hooked up. Maybe I can raise the door before hooking up?
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Old 11-03-2010, 02:50 PM   #10
wersqu
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I'm not surprised that your rear legs would not come up because the temp was 29 degrees. What surprises me is why you are still in an area that gets to 29 degrees at this time of year? Ha Ha.
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Old 11-03-2010, 06:45 PM   #11
c214dick
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Hi Tim & Kathy, I see you're just across the state line from me. It's going to be cold tomorrow so I'm going to see if my jacks hang up as well.
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Old 11-04-2010, 07:17 AM   #12
c214dick
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So I went out this morning to check my level up system, I've got to do something now that Monty is "put to bed". I turned it on and pushed the right and left button and got an error message. I tried a few more times before calling Ron at Trailair. Once the trailer has been unhooked and level, don't mess with the controler as it will "forget" the height and will require going to the manual mode in order to adjust the height. Being the curious person that I am I did scroll through the menu options and caused a "brain f--t" in the system. All Louise could do was shake her head.

By the way everything retracted like it should but I don't think we hit 30 degrees.
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Old 11-04-2010, 10:50 AM   #13
helmick
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When I pressed the right and left botton and got the error message I tried it again with the same response.
After being frustrated I realized it was already at the perfect hights to hookup. The rror was telling me it had
no place to move to.
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Old 11-04-2010, 12:48 PM   #14
c214dick
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That happened once to me but this time, in my driveway, when level it is quite a few inches higher than my hitch. So now that it is set, I won't screw with it until I'm ready to hook up.
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Old 11-06-2010, 06:27 PM   #15
c214dick
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So here's the latest on my previous problem. I went out today to see if everything was OK and had the same problem. When I pushed the right and left button, at the same time, nothing but the same error message. I knew I could do the manual override but why should I so I called our friendly installer Ron. This time Ron referred me to the engineer, George.

According to George when the right and left are pushed they will only operate if the front end needs to be RAISED, not LOWERED. The switch is only able to do the one function. So in the future, if your front end raises to complete the leveling function, you will need to manually override in order to lower it before hooking up.

George will relay this info to Ron for any future calls regarding this problem. FYI, George said he tested this system for 18 months before authorizing it to be sold.
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Old 11-07-2010, 01:55 AM   #16
stiles watson
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Thanks for the heads up. There was so much slope on my last setup that I ran out of stroke and got the error message to say so. I had to reconnect to the truck and lift the legs and put a couple of 2" X 12" squares under the front, then no problem. When I was ready to connect, same error as yours, so I lowered the front manually, reconnected to the truck, and retracted all legs normally.

I thought it was because I had to make two efforts at the set up. Now, since your post, I will know what to expect. All part of the learning curve. I talked to the motor home driver parked next to me. He said there are some quirky issues to their auto leveling system too.
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Old 11-07-2010, 10:13 AM   #17
c214dick
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I guess Louise was right when she said we should keep our lumber.
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Old 11-07-2010, 12:14 PM   #18
stiles watson
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Yeah, I was glad I had not dumped mine as I was about to do.
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Old 11-07-2010, 02:06 PM   #19
exav8tr
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I would really like to have a system like this. One question I have is: How much weight does it add to the trailer????
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Old 11-07-2010, 04:12 PM   #20
c214dick
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Not much. You replace the front jacks with bigger ones, add two smaller ones on each side in the front and rear of the axles for another 4, bigger reservoir for hydraulic fluid. Maybe 100#???
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