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Old 09-28-2020, 03:39 AM   #1
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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!
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Old 09-28-2020, 04:17 AM   #2
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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.
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Old 09-28-2020, 04:24 AM   #3
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THOR #15546
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Originally Posted by EA37TS View Post
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?
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Old 09-28-2020, 05:46 AM   #4
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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.
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Old 09-28-2020, 11:57 AM   #5
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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!
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Old 09-28-2020, 02:00 PM   #6
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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.
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Old 09-28-2020, 09:20 PM   #7
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They must have changed the design my 2019 Challenger pads look completely different,what year is your Challenger.
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Old 09-28-2020, 09:54 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by wrapped View Post
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!
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Old 09-28-2020, 09:57 PM   #9
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They look AWESOME!!
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Old 09-28-2020, 10:01 PM   #10
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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!
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Old 09-28-2020, 10:16 PM   #11
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You could probably sell a whole bunch of them...
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Old 09-28-2020, 10:21 PM   #12
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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.
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Old 09-28-2020, 11:33 PM   #13
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Excellent work. Those look like they could hold a 747!
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Old 09-29-2020, 12:18 AM   #14
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Great looking design for the feet.


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Old 09-29-2020, 12:30 AM   #15
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THOR #8860
If I hadn't already added Snap-Pads...
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Old 09-29-2020, 01:31 AM   #16
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I do love my snap pads though!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
If I hadn't already added Snap-Pads...
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Old 09-29-2020, 10:58 AM   #17
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At least we know some really smart and talented people: right?
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Old 09-30-2020, 04:05 PM   #18
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could do that on my friends plasma table, how were the cups in the center done? I need those.
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Old 09-30-2020, 07:21 PM   #19
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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!
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Old 09-30-2020, 09:18 PM   #20
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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.
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