|
|
09-28-2020, 03:39 AM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger
State: California
Posts: 17
THOR #15546
|
My Thor Challenger crushed it's LCI LevelUp foot pads under it's weight!
I purchased my Challenger, that is built on an F53 Chassis new, just over a year ago. It's been in and out of warranty over the year, but one problem that does not seem to have a resolution is that the rig has crushed two sets (where one set is 4 footpads - 2 front and 2 back) of feet.
First they start to cup upwards and start to look more like a salad bowl, and then the top part where the foot attached to the hydraulic ram starts to cave in under the weight of the rig until the footpad is so bent that the whole weight of the rig is being placed on the bolt that holds the footpad to the ram. Thor replaced one set under warranty, then I called LCI when the second set started to go.
LCI were kind enough to send me 4 replacements (yup the third set) but refused to acknowledge that they have an issue. We went through the conversation of 'are you parking it on a hard level surface' to which I said 'yes, it always sits on a level surface and on wood blocks too,' but argued that regardless, I should be able to park it on any surface and never have an issue.
Simply stated - they cut corners, they have succeded in keeping their costs down by using cheap, thin pressed steel - the result - an inferior product, a manufacturer in denial, and no resolution for the customer - Oh and i am out of warranty now! (not that that matters)
i have read other forums, and it seems to be a problem with many other people and their rigs.
The bit I have a problem with is there is no resolution!
Check out the photos!
__________________
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 04:17 AM
|
#2
|
Site Team
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,726
THOR #1469
|
Have you thought about trying Snap Pads?
I will say it looks like Lippert changed the design over the years. Those do not look the same as the ones on our previous 2015 Challenger 37ND.
__________________
Dave
US Army (Ret)
2020 Entegra Accolade 37TS
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (Toad)
FMCA - F432054
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 04:24 AM
|
#3
|
Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger
State: California
Posts: 17
THOR #15546
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by EA37TS
Have you thought about trying Snap Pads?
I will say it looks like Lippert changed the design over the years. Those do not look the same as the ones on our previous 2015 Challenger 37ND.
|
I did - I looked at them but cannot see how they will stop the RV crushing the foot. In fact their website has a support section that is all about dealing with bent footpads. One person even bolted on the snap pad to his bent footpad.
My understanding is that at the end of the day, it's a rubber pad that will absorb shock and perhaps provide some grip?
__________________
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 05:46 AM
|
#4
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 34J
State: Illinois
Posts: 76
THOR #12548
|
I have the pads. It won’t perfectly solve the problem, but it will help. They add about 2” to the diameter (spreading weight out further) and are about an inch thick between the metal pad and the ground. That adds reinforcement to the foot and gives you the bonus of better grip if you are on a slant.
That being said, it doesn’t prevent a sharp bend, but should help with the cupping. I had my son put out blocks in the back because we were parking on gravel/dirt. He misaligned the blocks, so the edge was just past the center hydraulic post by about an inch. I didn’t double check before deployment, and the pad bent at almost a 70• angle. Had to get them replaced, and the dealer charged me an Arm and half a leg for replacement of two of those feet.
How hard are they to replace? I’ve got another bent one and am thinking about doing it myself.
Ideally, though, like you said—there would be an alternative foot that is substantially thicker.
__________________
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 11:57 AM
|
#5
|
I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
|
Welcome to the Forum!
Couldn't you just take those feet to a welding shop, and have them add a layer of steel to the bottom of them? That would certainly make them stronger!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 02:00 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,883
THOR #6826
|
Or only use the levelers on a flat hard surface as they are intended to be used. If you need to park on a soft surface you can use LEGO block pads under them or short lengths of treated 2x12s.
__________________
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 09:20 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: challenger 37FH
State: Delaware
Posts: 688
THOR #13399
|
They must have changed the design my 2019 Challenger pads look completely different,what year is your Challenger.
__________________
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 09:54 PM
|
#8
|
Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger
State: California
Posts: 17
THOR #15546
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by wrapped
They must have changed the design my 2019 Challenger pads look completely different,what year is your Challenger.
|
Mine is a 2019 too. Can you send a photo of what your's look like please? To me mine seem to be pretty standard feet for all the LevelUp Jacks both for Motorhomes and 5th wheels.
Regardless I got inspired last night after I received some forum feedback and started drawing up some feet on CAD. I like building things out of steel, so, I cut them out this morning on the CNC table and welded them up. It's all made out of 1/4 inch plate steel. I'm calling it the Elefoot because... well... that's what it looks like!
I don't think anything is going to bend these bad boys. Should be good on hard surfaces and on soft too without the need to put down blocks ever. They are close to 10 inches in diameter and unlike the original ones, they will naturally angle to meet the incline of the floor - so they articulate.
I just want the feet to go down and work.. on any surface, and of course, be strong enough to last the life of the RV. It was a project well worth doing, but frustrating that I had to do it, as when you spend that much on a new RV, you just want it to work!
__________________
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 09:57 PM
|
#9
|
I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
|
They look AWESOME!!
__________________
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 10:01 PM
|
#10
|
Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger
State: California
Posts: 17
THOR #15546
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
They look AWESOME!!
|
I'm pretty pleased with them. The photos show the RV in the storage lot, where the owner has covered the floor with road grindings - so big rocks / rought surface essentially. As the feet went down you could hear them crushing the rocks In one photo you see the front wheels completely off the ground!
__________________
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 10:16 PM
|
#11
|
I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
|
You could probably sell a whole bunch of them...
__________________
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 10:21 PM
|
#12
|
Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger
State: California
Posts: 17
THOR #15546
|
Huh!
Well it's not my main line of business, but if there are people out there that might be interested / having similar issues with their jacks, we could probably do a run.
__________________
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 11:33 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Palazzo 36.1
State: Tennessee
Posts: 440
THOR #11607
|
Excellent work. Those look like they could hold a 747!
__________________
Greg, Gina & Ginger the rescue dog
2014 Palazzo 36.1, Cummins ISB 6.7 300hp, Allison 2500
TOAD 2008 Jeep Rubicon 4x4, Blue Ox Avail tow bar, RVibrake 3
|
|
|
09-29-2020, 12:18 AM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Miramar 37.1
State: California
Posts: 2,460
THOR #12698
|
Great looking design for the feet.
Paul
__________________
|
|
|
09-29-2020, 12:30 AM
|
#15
|
I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
|
If I hadn't already added Snap-Pads...
__________________
|
|
|
09-29-2020, 01:31 AM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Palazzo 36.1
State: Tennessee
Posts: 440
THOR #11607
|
I do love my snap pads though!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
If I hadn't already added Snap-Pads...
|
__________________
Greg, Gina & Ginger the rescue dog
2014 Palazzo 36.1, Cummins ISB 6.7 300hp, Allison 2500
TOAD 2008 Jeep Rubicon 4x4, Blue Ox Avail tow bar, RVibrake 3
|
|
|
09-29-2020, 10:58 AM
|
#17
|
I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
|
At least we know some really smart and talented people: right?
__________________
|
|
|
09-30-2020, 04:05 PM
|
#18
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Pennsylvania
Posts: 33
THOR #3655
|
could do that on my friends plasma table, how were the cups in the center done? I need those.
__________________
|
|
|
09-30-2020, 07:21 PM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2020 Magnitude SV34
State: Florida
Posts: 4,147
THOR #12751
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Darius
Huh!
Well it's not my main line of business, but if there are people out there that might be interested / having similar issues with their jacks, we could probably do a run.
|
Those look great!
If you started offering them for sale, I might be interested in a set for my 18k+ Super C!
__________________
|
|
|
09-30-2020, 09:18 PM
|
#20
|
Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger
State: California
Posts: 17
THOR #15546
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Judge
Those look great!
If you started offering them for sale, I might be interested in a set for my 18k+ Super C!
|
Hey Judge
Drop me an email at darius_goodall@hotmail.com and we can talk.
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|