Motorhome leveling

[IDguy]

Originally Posted by puppygeo

I've been manually leveling with wood planks, then graduated to plastic lego-tiles and finally with the Beech Lane Camper Leveling chocks. IMO they are all a lot of work to get just right. I've actually got my Class C in right now getting Bigfoot Fully Automatic (Quad pumps) installed. Not cheap $3700 + installation ~$1000 but FOR ME it's well worth it. I just want to get to my campsite, level, open the slide and awning and crack open a beer.

You’ll love them! Just see my note above about autolevel. Calibration helps bit their algorithm seems wonky.

[PaulH]

I hate being on a slope myself, not nice trying to sleep ....
I bolted a pair of scissor jack levellers on my 25.2 Vegas, they work fine for me, I can get about 6 inches of lift and they weren't expensive.

[Lefty02]

I’ve recently researched installing the Bigfoot levelers myself. My rig (30FE) sits on an E-450 chassis and Bigfoot levelers are weld on, but they now also offer a bolt on kit for an extra $150ish. Out the door, I think the price was about $2,400. I plan on doing it next spring along with adding another AC over the bedroom with a dedicated 20 amp circuit.

The leveler kit is the Premium set. They’re not automatic but that doesn’t bother me to adjust using a bubble level. I figure I would be doing it anyway with automatic levelers because I’m kinda anal that way.

[dthurber@lasierra.edu]

Just bought Bigfoot levelers and we are very happy

[Dabobo]

I got big foot but not the fully automatic very easy to level with a level app on my phone and saved over a grand. I went to their factory and had them install. They even had electrical out back so I got there the night befor and spent the night.

[Projectman]

Originally Posted by PaulH

I hate being on a slope myself, not nice trying to sleep ....
I bolted a pair of scissor jack levellers on my 25.2 Vegas, they work fine for me, I can get about 6 inches of lift and they weren't expensive.

Where did you put these Paul. I always thought that scissor jacks were not strong enough. We use leveling blocks but if the jacks could give us a couple extra inches on top of the it might help in a few situations

[Jimbo56]

Originally Posted by puppygeo

I've been manually leveling with wood planks, then graduated to plastic lego-tiles and finally with the Beech Lane Camper Leveling chocks. IMO they are all a lot of work to get just right. I've actually got my Class C in right now getting Bigfoot Fully Automatic (Quad pumps) installed. Not cheap $3700 + installation ~$1000 but FOR ME it's well worth it. I just want to get to my campsite, level, open the slide and awning and crack open a beer.

Amen!

[Gebills]

I got tired of carrying wooden blocks and planks around taking up my storage spaces in the motor home, and additionally taking a half hour to assemble Them all once I got to a campsite. I priced the Bigfoot leveling system (the manual leveling system) and installed the Bolt-on system on my Sprinter chassis myself along with a much younger person to do much of the work Crawling around underneath the motorhome. This is so much easier to get to the RV site and regardless of how level it is, get out and push the button and all four jacks drop down to the ground, and then it’s just a function of leveling a coach with a bubble level. I’ve had the coach in such an off camber site, that I had the front wheels lifted off the ground between 8 to 10 inches. Had to put down three plastic blocks underneath each front jack, but finally got it level. Life is so much easier after getting these jacks on. I had all the tools required to do the job so I only had the cost of the manual system from Bigfoot. The manual system cost me under $2500 delivered to my front door. The only other cost was 2 quarts of oil for the hydraulic pump. I am a happy camper.

[Dabobo]

I did the same thing love it no need for auto leveling if that component fails it's expensive to replace

[Bob Denman]

The Bigfoot systems have been mentioned several times in here, and they are a great system.
But I've got the Equalizer system on mine, and they also work just as well.

[Edki45]

Originally Posted by Projectman

Where did you put these Paul. I always thought that scissor jacks were not strong enough. We use leveling blocks but if the jacks could give us a couple extra inches on top of the it might help in a few situations

I have an Axis 25.6 and put BAL Lowpro 24" jacks https://www.campingworld.com/lopro-s...f-2-94206.html on the front behind the wheels and angled toward the back of the wheel well. I made an extension socket from black pipe and a 3/4" x 1/2" dr. deep socket cut in half. I made brackets and welded them to the frame with bolts pointing down. This allows me to change the jacks easily if needed. I use a 1/2" Dewalt cordless impact to run them. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 . Make sure the RV tires are well blocked and wheels stay on the ground. If not it will bend the jacks. This works very well if you don't extend the jacks to full height. Sometimes I use Legos under the tires to get it in the ballpark and finish with the jacks and rear stabilizers. I took the useless locked up motors off of them. When I get my Axis back from warranty repair in 3 or 4 months I can send photos. It took 3 months from date of sale for the appointment on 24 September. They still have not looked at it as of 2 days ago. Hope someone here has found a better way to get warranty service.

[Bob Denman]

Your RV sat for this long waiting for them to even look at it?

[PaulH]

Originally Posted by Projectman

Where did you put these Paul. I always thought that scissor jacks were not strong enough. We use leveling blocks but if the jacks could give us a couple extra inches on top of the it might help in a few situations

I bolted mine on the chassis, just in front of the door and same place the other side, I also extended the handle so that when I wind them down/up, it's an easier job. I also have a pair for the back, but its a bit tricky as the gennie is in the way on one side, may have to make up a bracket. Also, when parked up for winter it's good to ease the weight off the front springs, next job is a pair of Air ride airbags I have coming for the front.....

[Edki45]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Your RV sat for this long waiting for them to even look at it?

When I asked how long it might be before I heard something from them the service writer told me they are selling 80 units per week and suggested that new sales deliveries and customer pay come before warranty. Do you know any independents that perform warranty work? I know it is sometimes authorized by Thor.

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by Edki45

When I asked how long it might be before I heard something from them the service writer told me they are selling 80 units per week and suggested that new sales deliveries and customer pay come before warranty. Do you know any independents that perform warranty work? I know it is sometimes authorized by Thor.

I’d ask too speak, without anger, with the general manager of the dealership. Especially if it’s the dealer you bought from. Other option is to make an appointment with Thor and you’ll be certain your entire list will be fixed correctly in one appointment. If Indiana is not convenient just remember that the reason you bought it is to travel. There’s lots to do in Indiana to make the trip more interesting. Or you can google RV repair near wherever you are and call them. I have a local shop that does warranty work and I like then fine. But that doesn’t help you!

[Jimbo56]

Originally Posted by Edki45

When I asked how long it might be before I heard something from them the service writer told me they are selling 80 units per week and suggested that new sales deliveries and customer pay come before warranty. Do you know any independents that perform warranty work? I know it is sometimes authorized by Thor.

My local RV service guy has fixed several things under warranty. We called Thor first, got the ok, he did the work, I paid him, Thor reimbursed me.

[Projectman]

Thanks for the info on the jacks you guys. That might be a project in the future. Good luck on getting your warranty work done Edki45. That’s a long time! I will look forward to pics when you get it back.

[Edki45]

Originally Posted by Jimbo56

My local RV service guy has fixed several things under warranty. We called Thor first, got the ok, he did the work, I paid him, Thor reimbursed me.

Thanks Jimbo56
I picked up my RV this afternoon from MHSRV in Alvarado who had not looked at it in the last two weeks and brought it back to my barn and worked on it for a while myself. I have never thought about independent shops being able to perform warranty work because my background is in automotive repair. I took your advice and searched for a local RV repair shop that might perform warranty work.. I actually found one within 5 miles of me that had about 98% five star reviews. At least 50 of them. http://www.texasrvguys.com/ A couple of the reviews mentioned something about their handling warranty. I called them and I'm taking it to them Monday to see what they can do. I'm sure, at least they can repair the air conditioning problem. If I can't fix the warranty problems that they can't get approved, I'll be driving to Elkhart Indiana sometime this winter.

[Edki45]

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

I’d ask too speak, without anger, with the general manager of the dealership. Especially if it’s the dealer you bought from. Other option is to make an appointment with Thor and you’ll be certain your entire list will be fixed correctly in one appointment. If Indiana is not convenient just remember that the reason you bought it is to travel. There’s lots to do in Indiana to make the trip more interesting. Or you can google RV repair near wherever you are and call them. I have a local shop that does warranty work and I like then fine. But that doesn’t help you!

Thanks Pete,
I have had a few long conversations with the general manager who used to be the owner
Donny O’Banion
CEO
Fax: 817-783-3113
Donny@mhsrv.com
the new customer relations director that they didn't have, Giff Akins
MHS RV
Director Customer Relations
817-790-7771 Ext. 109
800-335-6054 Ext. 109
gakins@mhsrv.com

and Justin, the new service manager who I think was just recently a salesman
and then many conversations/emails with Thor warranty support. I only got some support from Thor. I really think Thor wants to do the right thing or at least what they should have done when they built the motor home but they have to have someone on the ground to look at the motorhome. Dealers won't do that in a timely manner. They make most of their money on sales. My service writer, Tammy, told me that it would take quite a while to take care of my motorhome warranty because they have been selling 80 units per month and that takes up all their mechanic’s time. Every time I've been there at least three or four mechanics were just standing around shooting the breeze. Service is definitely not important to RV dealerships. They do not have to answer to manufacturers like car dealerships do.
Don't buy anything, especially extended warranties from Motorhome Specialist. They are Scam artists.
I'm hoping that http://www.texasrvguys.com/ can help me enough. If not I'll be driving to Elkhart this winter. uugh

[EddieA]

Originally Posted by Edki45

Make sure the RV tires are well blocked and wheels stay on the ground. If not it will bend the jacks. This works very well if you don't extend the jacks to full height. Sometimes I use Legos under the tires to get it in the ballpark and finish with the jacks and rear stabilizers.

Greetings. I just purchased a 2021 ACE 30.4. Is it odd that my front leveling pads are only 5" above the concrete, while the rear pads have 7 1/4" ground clearance? Should I be concerned --- the road clearance below the front pads looks awfully small. Thoughts?
Thanks for all comments. EddieA