Level system one wheel off theground - Montana Owners Club

JHT · 07-23-2023, 10:31 AM

First trip out with our new Montana 3231CK. Camping for a week now and the trailer seemed a bit off level. I manually adjusted the level, now one wheel is off the ground a bit. Is this OK or should I adjust to get the wheel back down.

Foldbak · 07-23-2023, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHT

First trip out with our new Montana 3231CK. Camping for a week now and the trailer seemed a bit off level. I manually adjusted the level, now one wheel is off the ground a bit. Is this OK or should I adjust to get the wheel back down.

Not good. Always put blocks under the wheals on the low side prior to leveling.

**Carl n Susan** · 07-23-2023, 10:46 AM

It is not unusual to have one wheel off the ground on a off level pad (assuming you have the 6 point hydraulic system). It is not a problem.

The real concern is more related to the "seemed a bit off level" perception. The system is designed to put the RV in a level position. If it didn't, it needs to be adjusted to do so. I would manually adjust the RV until level. As nothing is square and plumb in these things, I try to make the stove level so my eggs don't run. Then perform the procedure to reset the system level (system OFF, press Front 10 times, press back 10 times and follow the prompts)

JHT · 07-23-2023, 10:59 AM

I did rest the level once in my driveway when it was new. The rig seems pretty level now. Is it OK to reset level with one wheel up a inch. I'm guessing it's OK. And yes there are 6 hydrulic Jack's on the rig.

JHT · 07-23-2023, 11:02 AM

I would usually not do this but the site is fairly level. We had jungle like rain for a day or two. At a provincial park so I think the rig may have settled a bit.

**Carl n Susan** · 07-23-2023, 11:06 AM

Since it is good enough for now, I would wait until the next stop to re-level. Hopefully that site will be better and not require a wheel off the ground.

JHT · 07-23-2023, 11:11 AM

Thanks for the help. Upgraded from a travel trailer and there will most likely be few more things to learn.

JHT · 07-23-2023, 11:13 AM

Thanks for the input. In the future I will be sure to use my leveling blocks if the rig seem off a bit.

rohrmann · 07-23-2023, 11:47 AM

We have numerous times found our rig with one or even two wheels suspended and have never had an issue. The thing is, what is the difference if the wheel is off the ground by an inch or more and barely touching? It's better to have the hydraulic leveling jacks do their job and get the rig level without having to do all the old fashioned playing with boards and blocks. The hydraulic jacks have twice or more the weight capacity than these rigs weigh, so are quite capable of safely supporting the rig with wheels off the ground.

JHT · 07-23-2023, 12:33 PM

Thanks. 16,000 pounds loaded good to know the Jacks capabilities.

jpwhite · 07-23-2023, 02:13 PM

My recent site at one of the state park was off level enough that both my off-door side wheels were off the ground. I had already unhooked and plugged in when I did the auto-level. I have the 6 point hydraulic system. Normally, I prefer to get the rig close to level the old fashioned way. Just a personal preference. I will also add blocks under the low side jacks in an effort to reduce extension and improve stability.

I guess I got use to level sites, so didn't even think to check level prior to unhooking this last time. We had no issues the 4 nights we were there.

JHT · 07-23-2023, 04:42 PM

Thanks. I used blocks as well to keep the Jack's from extending too much.

rohrmann · 07-23-2023, 06:08 PM

Each landing gear jack is rated 14,000 lbs and each leveling jack is rated 8,000 lbs, so there is much more capacity with the hydraulic leveling system than could ever be needed.

https://store.lci1.com/rv/stabilizat...ng/systems?p=6

Foldbak · 07-23-2023, 06:19 PM

Keeping in mind that allowing the weight of the axle, wheels etc to hang will put unnecessary strain on your frame. As a former hydraulic mechanic I was also tough to never to keep an unnecessary load on the hydraulics. Their rating isn't designed for a 24/7 load. This how seals blow. Just saying.

jpwhite · 07-23-2023, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rohrmann

Each landing gear jack is rated 14,000 lbs and each leveling jack is rated 8,000 lbs, so there is much more capacity with the hydraulic leveling system than could ever be needed.

https://store.lci1.com/rv/stabilizat...ng/systems?p=6

Exactly. The speed and power capabilities of hydraulic vs electric jacks / slides is the main reason I decided on Montana vs High Country / Solitude vs Reflection. Obviously ended up with Montana.

Foldbak · 07-23-2023, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpwhite

Exactly. The speed and power capabilities of hydraulic vs electric jacks / slides is the main reason I decided on Montana vs High Country / Solitude vs Reflection. Obviously ended up with Montana.

That's funny. The reason I went with electric over hydraulics. The electric can fail just like the hydraulics. But when hydraulics fail it can be catastrophic and messy plus it requires more maintenance.

jpwhite · 07-24-2023, 06:43 AM

Yup. Different ways of looking at the same thing!

**scottz** · 07-24-2023, 09:37 AM

I like hydraulics mainly because of the speed; electrics are slooooow. I prefer to have a level site, but not unusual to have a wheel or two off the ground when boondocking. A few days ago I stopped overnight. I was nose high and did not want to disconnect the truck; by the time I got it level (manual not auto level) all four wheels were off the ground. Slept like a baby.

DutchmenSport · 07-24-2023, 10:04 AM

Interesting conversation. I purchased my Montana High Country based on the floor plan. It just happened to come with electric jacks and electric cable slides.

Electric jacks just don't have the "umph" to actually lift the wheels off the ground. Maybe they do, but the struggle so much, I'm fearful the gears will break. So, I've learned and just continued to do it the way I always did my previous travel trailers, level first as close as possible with boards under the tires. Then the Auto Level will do just that ... level ... without lifting anything off the ground.

As stated above, no messy hydraulic fluid to deal with. I totally agree on this point though: Each system has it's own advantages and it's disadvantages, none are perfect!

**AZ Traveler** · 07-24-2023, 11:13 AM

The 12 in frame, six point leveling and hydraulics on a Montana is a significant upgrade over what the HC is equipped with.

In the 5 years I have had my rig I have added a single quart of anti stiction fluid to quiet the popping noise. I can easily lift all 4 tires off the ground at the same time with the hydraulics.

The electric system seems to work well on smaller/lighter rigs.

You may also like: