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09-08-2010, 12:59 PM
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#1
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Established Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Palmyra
Posts: 48
M.O.C. #9744
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Auto Leveling system on 5th wheel
Has any body added auto leveling system and what system, Hydraulic, Electric or any thing else????
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09-08-2010, 03:18 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Casa Grande
Posts: 5,369
M.O.C. #6333
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Tom, I do not have one but heard that the Big Foot Leveling system is a good aftermarket choice. Try www.bigfootleveler.com
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09-08-2010, 04:26 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,166
M.O.C. #6433
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Curious about the self leveling systems for 5ers. Have not seen one on a 5er, at least that I noticed. But at the OK City KOA, there was a large MH on a sloping site and the leveling system had lifted the right rear tires several inches off the ground. Would a self leveling system for a 5er do the same?
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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09-08-2010, 08:49 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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Orv Schinke (ols1932) had a BigFoot System installed in his Monty when he was staying in California. I remember this very well because when I joined the MOC he just happened to have his rig about 3 miles right down the street from my stickhouse to have this done at an RV shop. He had sent me a PM to welcome me to the forum and told me about it.
He's had it for over a year. He has posted before that he is happy with it and he should have plenty of good things to say about it including how much it lifts and what it might cost parts and labor.
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09-09-2010, 07:45 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kville
Posts: 2,865
M.O.C. #7871
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I doubt a leveling system would work on this Lippert frame that is so weak Lippert says we should not add a bumper on it or tow anything behind it.
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09-09-2010, 11:08 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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Well, Art said it well. We had the BigFoot Leveling system installed in April '09. It's been wonderful, to say the least. The reason we had it installed is because I had back surgery in February '09 and doctor didn't want me bending over any more than I actually had to do. This was due to the three fusions that he did on L4, L5, and S1 in my lower back. The system works as advertised. You unhook from the truck, then raise the front end until it's higher than the rear. Then you push the "Auto" button and the rig automatically levels itself. This is all done with push buttons on the control panel. All four levelers have their own individual pumps and tanks. Each leg will lift 17,000 pounds. The frame of our Montana is no problem. When they initially installed the system, the entire rig was lifted about 12" off the ground. Weird looking when the rig is off the ground.
The system has saved me and I'm one who would tell you if there was something I didn't like. But I like this system. However, it's costly. I had mine installed in Murietta Creek, CA (as Art mentioned) and it cost me $5100. Part of that is due to high labor costs in CA. If you were to have it installed in Whitefish, MI where the factory is, I believe your cost would be somewhere around $4500.
Orv
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09-09-2010, 11:13 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Troy
Posts: 1,980
M.O.C. #808
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I believe Lippert is offering the leveling system at our fall rally for around $2500. Sounds like a great reason to attend!
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09-13-2010, 03:30 AM
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#8
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Established Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Palmyra
Posts: 48
M.O.C. #9744
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I check with Lippert on there level up system. They refered me to Trailair for instaltion and the the cost for there system with 6 legs is $5782 out the door installed in Goshen In.
Tom
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09-13-2010, 08:41 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Benson
Posts: 3,121
M.O.C. #1658
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09-13-2010, 02:34 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Sioux Falls
Posts: 617
M.O.C. #9380
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Just had one installed today (Big Foot by Quadra Mfg.) in White Pigeon MI. This is about 10 miles from Elkhart. I love it! Dumped all of my 'lumber' I've been dragging around and made my truck look like new. The foreman told me they've replaced the six leg Lippert systems for people who weren't satisfied with it. They need six legs for some of their frames (not Montana) that have significantly weaker carrying beams. He said on these if you pick it up for and aft, the middle sags, hence two more legs.
No more fooling around in the mud for us. No more fighting with landing gear pins that won't go. No more in and out of the rig 5 times to check level. And best of all the rig now feels like it's mounted on concrete blocks.
Not only does it self level, it picks up the rig enough to take significant weight (enough that my tires are fully round). They offer stabilizers now that form triangular bracing (side to side and for and aft) on the front pistons. I left my Montana supplied rear stabilizers on to take enough weight to eliminate side to side shake at the rear. So I have pistons at the front, pistons just behind the rear wheels, and my stabilizers at the rear. I didn't have any up and down shake at the rear without the stabilizers but I could grab the ladder and get some side to side with ease. The stabilizers stopped this cold.
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09-13-2010, 09:19 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 5,316
M.O.C. #15
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Pbhalin,
Sounds like you have got a great upgrade. I hope it works exactly like you expect it to. Thanks for sharing.
HamRad
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09-14-2010, 10:13 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Sioux Falls
Posts: 617
M.O.C. #9380
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I wrote about the real story of my installation on my blog. If you want to learn more about what it takes to get these things on, have a read.
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09-14-2010, 01:22 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Macomb Twp
Posts: 1,451
M.O.C. #2221
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pbahlin
Says we need permission to view....can't view.
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09-14-2010, 01:44 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 5,316
M.O.C. #15
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Same here. "No permission to view previews."
HamRad
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09-14-2010, 02:18 PM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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pbahlin,
You won't be sorry. It's a great system!
Orv
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09-14-2010, 02:36 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Sioux Falls
Posts: 617
M.O.C. #9380
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Sorry about the permission thing. I created a link to the wrong place. Try again and it should be fixed.
Orv: I love it already and it's only a day old.
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09-18-2010, 08:11 AM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Pagosa Springs
Posts: 3,711
M.O.C. #3120
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I don't have any experience with this product, but the cost of $295 is intriguing.
Level-Ease
Any pros or cons?
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09-18-2010, 11:26 AM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Benson
Posts: 3,121
M.O.C. #1658
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Robbie,
I bought the level-ease and the jury is still out, hold off and we'll take a look at it in Q
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09-18-2010, 12:20 PM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Pagosa Springs
Posts: 3,711
M.O.C. #3120
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by 8.1al
Robbie,
I bought the level-ease and the jury is still out, hold off and we'll take a look at it in Q
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Yes sir! I want one .
Are we installing? or reviewing at Q?
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09-18-2010, 02:22 PM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Casa Grande
Posts: 5,369
M.O.C. #6333
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Looks like it only levels front to back...It mentions being able to level side to side with independent motors, but seems that would twist the frame. Also it doesn't seem to do anything for stability, of course it is a lot cheaper than the BigFoot but a different category as I read the site.
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