Quote:
Originally Posted by Ron
My Equalizer levels automatically. I just push the button and it does it's thing. I can go outside and watch it if I want to but it's pretty uneventful.
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You can buy the Bigfoot levelers in either manual or automatic versions. The manual version was about $800 less, so I went with the less expensive one, for that and because I liked the idea of having full control over the process. The auto system is more complex (4 pumps, 4 jacks, control unit, etc), and I figure the simpler the better.
I paid less than $3k for my system which includes installation, and Michigan Tax (the Quadra/Bigfoot factory is also located in Michigan).
The auto system was about $3.7~4.5k, depending on installation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce
Question on the Bigfoot EZ:
"The EZ design utilizes one pump assembly that operates the four jacks in pairs."
You can't control the jacks individually?
Bruce
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You don't want to control just one jack at a time, as that could twist or stress the frame.
Bigfoot's manual jacks use one pump, and control jacks in pairs. Either the two front, two rear, two driver side, or two passenger side.
The Bigfoot auto jacks have 4 individual pumps, each controlling a separate jack, but electronically they run in pairs.
In either case, the jacks have to maintain equalibrium so they don't stress the frame.
For example, if you lift the front end, both front jacks begin to extend. And when the first jack touches the ground, it meets resistance and stops and waits for the other jack to touch the ground. This maintains equilibrium, and keeps from stressing the frame by lifting one corner and not the other.
In the single pump system, this is done hydraulically via balancing the hydraulic pressure between the jacks connected together. In the 4 pump system, it is done electronically. While Bigfoot seems to know what they are doing and makes a fine product, I liked the idea of maintaining equilibrium hydraulically rather than electronically.
So after the front jacks both touch the ground and just begin to lift the coach, you stop. Then you lower both rear jacks down together. The same equilibrium process occurs for the rear, with the rear not raising until both jacks touch the ground.
At that point, you lift the front, rear, left, or right side by selecting the jack pair you want to lift. Everything stays in equilibrium at that point and again, prevents stressing or twisting the frame.
I'm sure all of the brands work similar because the control panels I have seen look like the controls are for the Front, Rear, Left Side, Right Side, rather than jacks at the 4 corners. But I only know about Bigfoot for sure.