Auto level

[Frank64]

Couple of quick questions

1) My 3791rd (2019) has been sitting on a site for a little over a year. It was leveled when I first came to this site and haven’t checked it since. Should I re-level the unit and if so is it better to bring all slides in before pushing the auto level button.


2) My unit seems to make popping noises in the bedroom. Ive checked the reservoir and the level seems okay. Someone suggested that I place jacks near the front to take some of the weight off the support jacks howeverI feel like I am masking the problem. Does the hydraulic fluid need to be replaced with a thicker viscosity?


Any suggestions appreciated


Frank

[Bourbon County]

I don't think I've ever read it anywhere before, but I have always auto leveled with slides retracted.

The jack popping you refer to is apparently pretty common on RVs with auto level systems. Jacks under the cylinders won't change the weight on the hydraulic cylinders, just the amount of travel. I've read many threads and watched videos on jack popping and they seem to believe that the hydraulic oil doesn't keep the seals in the cylinders properly lubricated. Most recommendations are to draw off a quart (maybe 2) out of the reservoir and replace it with an additive like Maxima Fork Oil. You would need to cycle the leveling jacks and slides a few times to circulate the additive into the system. I'm planning on doing this to mine.

[Frank64]

ThanksWill retract slides and re-level


Will try your suggestion for eliminating popping noise

[Frank64]

Does a lighter WT oil such ad 5WT vs 15WT matter

I would think think a lighter wt oil would be best for this system

[Daryles]

Hydraulic fluid
If your fluid is red it is Automatic transmission fluid.
If it is yellow it is AW32W hydraulic fluid.
Either way you can add a quart of anti sticktion fluid per LCI (helps take creaking/popping out of jacks)
The LCI tech bulletin regarding this is in the Lippert NOW app.
The app has manuals and troubleshooting for all your Lippert equipment.
The App also has the specs for what type of ATF you need IF they filled your reservoir with ATF.
It seems like newer models all have hydraulic fluid.

[Carl n Susan]

LCI issues a TSB-0295 about the popping noises. They suggest three brands of anti-stiction oil (i.e. lighter weight fluid). That TSB in all its glory is here on the MOC in the Files section (I provided the link to it below). It took two quarts before mine finally quit popping. It is most noticeable when you are located where the temp varies a lot during the day.
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...?do=file&id=63

[Frank64]

Thanks Will checkout the LCI tech bulletin


Also will checkout out the files on the MOC


Appreciate the link

[Frank64]

Just checked article in the files very doable

Thanks

[rohrmann]

Just to follow up on the Lippert tech bulletin, they have changed the name of it to TI-191 on their site, and it still has the same info, but just in case someone was looking for it there. https://support.lci1.com/documents/t...raulic-systems
Stiction happens in all hydraulic systems, so it's not just in our leveling systems. Prior to retirement, I was an electric utility lineman, and we had the stiction problem even in our line trucks. It was pretty scary to have a two or three ton piece of equipment hanging from the boom of the truck and have it start popping, and it really did shudder when it popped with that kind of load. The mechanics would get an earful the next day that they better fix the problem, and the stiction fluid was what they added to the system and it fixed the problem there too.

[Frank64]

Good info

Thanks