Hello Windsport 34J 2019 - Love it! But ?'s

[rvquest6]

Hi we are Rick and Heather from Kansas - we've only rented C-Class before but brought home this big girl. We thought we broke the navigation the first day (yes the main power switch was off)

BUT - I am concerned about the leveling - we have been using the auto leveling and we end up with the front off the ground - tires swinging. Very frightening, we were in Oklahoma driving it home and spot seemed relatively level so we auto leveled it and the next morning saw we were 6 inches off the ground! Same thing happened at our house. Tried searching the threads and that leads just leads me to other issues...

[16ACE27]

1 - just use manual level
2 - recalibrate the level sensor/control panel
3 - just use manual level
4 - Use the auto level if you like the coach hopping around senselessly
5 - just use manual level

[srambus]

We're having the same issue. 6wks on the road, no issues. Last night in an unlevel spot (front to back), the auto levelers took the front end up ridiculously high. Vrry scary. I don't get why the auto levelers went up in the back. Seems like just raising the front would take care of the leveling. Is this something that isn't supposed to be done? If I try and manually level the Jacks am I allowed to just put the front two down? I also need to know if I am manually putting the jacks down can stop whenever I want or is it push a button and they do their own thing? Hope this doesn't sound like a total beginner question.

[coachray]

I've only had that happen when we've been on a slope, but wheels have not been that far off the ground. We're new to motorhomes, and have yet to try manual leveling. Need to read up on that. Anyway, welcome to the forum

[apr67]

While the manual says wheels should not be off the ground, the reality is it isn't a big deal. Just check under the RV and make sure the brake lines and ABS wires are not being pulled tight.

[The Guidrys]

Welcome to the CLUB!

Yep, use the manual level.

I have a level I keep next to my drivers seat when manually leveling my coach.

I start with trying to park in spots where they are almost level. Its not always real world, However, I usually get it real close within 2 to 3*.

Whenever possible, I prefer to start with the rear jacks of the coach, then the front jacks. Once front to rear is level, then adjust side to side. I ALWAYS put all four of my jacks down so the coach is stable when the slide is put out and when walking. I also readjust my level if I am on a gravel/dirt pad or campsite.

Since we frequently camp at certain state parks/campgounds, we know which sites are better than others, and know which ones to stay away!

Safe Travels!

[The Gritz Carlton]

Auto level feature is only there if you missed the annual trip to an amusement park. It is to simulate a space rocket blastoff. Never use auto...always use manual. Auto seems to never "test" coming down a bit during the process...it just keeps jacking you up in the air till it thinks it's level.

[paulwadley]

I had the Equalizer Leveling System installed on my 2018 Thor Siesta since I only had rear stabilizers on it. I wanted to have the coach level to feel comfortable when parked at a site. My system has an auto level or I can use manual and can adjust (raise/lower) each individual hydraulic ram as I see fit. I have used the auto level and it does get it in the ball park but usually have to fine tune it manually.

[apr67]

Having the front wheels off the ground isn't really an issue. Check and make sure that the brake lines and ABS lines don't have tension on them and if not, don't worry.

[Bob Denman]

Welcome to our Campsite!
You can always use the manual leveling controls.; to see if you can drop the entire rig down far enough for all 4 wheels to be on Terra Firma...

But I've had my front wheels in the air, and I agree: no big deal!

[10scDust]

Originally Posted by srambus

We're having the same issue. 6wks on the road, no issues. Last night in an unlevel spot (front to back), the auto levelers took the front end up ridiculously high. Vrry scary. I don't get why the auto levelers went up in the back. Seems like just raising the front would take care of the leveling. Is this something that isn't supposed to be done? If I try and manually level the Jacks am I allowed to just put the front two down? I also need to know if I am manually putting the jacks down can stop whenever I want or is it push a button and they do their own thing? Hope this doesn't sound like a total beginner question.

I use/like the manual mode better myself.
As far as tires off the ground:
The concern would be more if the rear tires are off the ground, they are the ones that keep the rig from rolling (parking brake).

In manual mode, if you let go of the button, the jacks cease their deployment.
And if you continue holding the button, they continue to deploy, until fully extended if you go far enough (they are only so long).

In my opinion, I would want all 4 landed to help in stabilization, it does not mean they have to be.
I would think this would allow frame twisting if only 2 were used, it's your rig though!

Realize that they deploy in pairs, left side pair, right side pair, front pair, and rear pair (and maybe not so during auto level, not sure, but think so).
So each jack has dual duty, dependent on how they are chosen by a single button push, at least with my experience on ours.
I believe this is to avoid a twist on the coach's frame, which could lead to other problems, like ease of slide out operation amongst possible others, since the frame is lifted off of the spring suspension of the wheels.

The part I haven't figured yet, is retracting them in a manual mode.
If I do not like my end result from a manual leveling, it's auto-retract and start over, just in a different combination order when I try again.

I take the high side or end jacks down till they touch first in manual mode, then continue, and I also try to park the rear as the high end, or I have a wooden piece of 2 x 12 I drive onto, to help, before beginning.

Since 2 operate at a time, any one jack not deployed, when chosen with one that already has, you need to give time for both to land (or the one & you may feel the other relax a second while things are moving along), since the juice is traveling through opened valves to each of them at the same time (essentially a pressure balance equalization).
*Each jack has its own control solenoid valve to allow fluid flow to it.

[The Gritz Carlton]

^^good summary^^ The first few times I used auto mode, it did seem like a lot more creaking was going on (frame twisting). The control panel lights let you know which end/side needs raised when you turn on the power to it. If you go at it slowly in manual mode, the lights will go off once it reaches level. Seemed in auto mode, it kept "second guessing" the level and would violently raise the entire coach way higher than it does in manual. When it was brand new I read all the post here from the veteran users about not using auto mode and questioned it. Once you go through the "motions", it becomes obvious why it's the best option. If off-level front to back and side to side, I always raise the front/rear first, then the side.

[10scDust]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Welcome to our Campsite!
You can always use the manual leveling controls.; to see if you can drop the entire rig down far enough for all 4 wheels to be on Terra Firma...

But I've had my front wheels in the air, and I agree: no big deal!

Yes welcome, like Bob says here, you just need to bring along an extra step, or do that last leap!

[apr67]

Originally Posted by 10scDust

I use/like the manual mode better myself.
As far as tires off the ground:
The concern would be more if the rear tires are off the ground, they are the ones that keep the rig from rolling (parking brake).

The jacks are what keep the rig from rolling once they start to take the weight of the RV. Once you get most of the weight off the tires, they can do little to stop a roll if for whatever reason the RV started to slide on the jacks.

[Pete'sMH]

I think it’s important to have the tires touching the ground to provide lateral support. If the levelers are extended far enough to get the tires 6 inches off the ground they are pretty far out. They are not designed to take much sideways force. Not especially likely that you’ll have a lot of it anyway but it’s a thought. I too gave up on the automatic function and do it manually. I’m told that the automatic system can be reprogrammed but I’ve never bothered to look into it.

[IdahoPoes]

Originally Posted by rvquest6

Hi we are Rick and Heather from Kansas - we've only rented C-Class before but brought home this big girl. We thought we broke the navigation the first day (yes the main power switch was off)

BUT - I am concerned about the leveling - we have been using the auto leveling and we end up with the front off the ground - tires swinging. Very frightening, we were in Oklahoma driving it home and spot seemed relatively level so we auto leveled it and the next morning saw we were 6 inches off the ground! Same thing happened at our house. Tried searching the threads and that leads just leads me to other issues...

Check your owners manual (or Levelor manufacturer site) for any warnings or cautions on "wheels off the ground". Most LCI leveling systems specifically warn against having the wheels off the ground.



Marshall

[Fish and Dear]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

1 - just use manual level
2 - recalibrate the level sensor/control panel
3 - just use manual level
4 - Use the auto level if you like the coach hopping around senselessly
5 - just use manual level

I use auto level if the site is already level and I want to take the ride. Otherwise DW puts the electronic level in the floor and says which way to go. I can level in in a minute or less compared to auto and getting altitude sickness. Nice to have it, though, I suppose.

[Fish and Dear]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

^^good summary^^ The first few times I used auto mode, it did seem like a lot more creaking was going on (frame twisting). The control panel lights let you know which end/side needs raised when you turn on the power to it. If you go at it slowly in manual mode, the lights will go off once it reaches level. Seemed in auto mode, it kept "second guessing" the level and would violently raise the entire coach way higher than it does in manual. When it was brand new I read all the post here from the veteran users about not using auto mode and questioned it. Once you go through the "motions", it becomes obvious why it's the best option. If off-level front to back and side to side, I always raise the front/rear first, then the side.

Why do you do front then rear? Bigfoot auto stabilizer jacks do rear then front and you can adjust as needed to level. So that's what I do with the jacks we have rather than using auto. Auto always seems to make a lot of unnecessary large adjustments..and always UP. I suppose it may not matter, but curious as to why you chose front then rear.

[The Gritz Carlton]

What I meant was front or rear first...then whichever side needs it. I never do the sides first.

[Fish and Dear]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

What I meant was front or rear first...then whichever side needs it. I never do the sides first.

Oh ok. now I see what you meant. Side to side first just seems like a bad idea anyway.