Leveling jacks March 09, 2016, 07:41:52 am Yahoo Message Number: 159265We are probably 9 mos from ordering a 27 MB. LD doesn't offer leveling jacks. Is this a needed accessory? Had an Airstream as a kid. We had manual jacks, which were seriously needed. I haven't seen any comments. Any help appreciated. Kurt Atlantic Beach, Fl
Reply from Mike: [LD] Leveling jacks Reply #1 – March 09, 2016, 08:08:18 am Yahoo Message Number: 159267Kurt, The first thing I did after returning home (Brooksville, FL) from the factory with our new 2010 RB was to make an appointment with Bigfoot in Lakeland, FL to have their jacks installed. 77K miles & 6-yrs later later the jacks still function as new. This year I will replace the hydraulic fluid. That's it! It is nice to be able to level the coach in any inclement weather without going outside. I got the manual control system with one pump for all the jacks. (less weight) The only thing I asked for them to change in the installation was to power the unit from the engine battery instead of the coach batteries. That way I can keep the engine running while operating the jack pump without draining the coach batteries. I have bubble levels on the driver door and dash for reference. Mike
Re: Leveling jacks Reply #2 – March 09, 2016, 08:10:52 am Yahoo Message Number: 159268The leveling jacks topic cycles through the message board periodically; if you do a search using the "Search Conversations" bar at the top of the home page of the message board, many threads will come up. Also check this link in the the "Companion" for a compilation of information on leveling with jacks and blocks:http://lazydazearticles.blogspot.com/search/label/LevelingThe latest update on the material on the above page seems to be 2011; those who have installed leveling jacks in the past couple of years may be able to provide more current information, if applicable.As to leveling jacks being necessary? Some feel they are a necessary after-market add-on and install them soon after purchase of a used or new rig. Some use leveling blocks, e.g., Lynx, wood blocks, etc., and see no need for the extra weight and expense (and the potential of occasional malfunction) of levelers. It's a matter of choice and what works for you.As ever, YMMV.Joan
Re: Leveling jacks Reply #3 – March 09, 2016, 09:00:43 am Yahoo Message Number: 159269May I suggest you keep a very close eye on weight considerations. A stock from the factory MB is in the range of 12,000 pd wet. This leaves about 2,000 for stuff. Stuff meaning passengers, food, clothes, kitchen ware, books, electronic gear, camping chairs, etc -- you get the point. The biggest reason to level in the past was the refrigerator. With the newer ones you have must more freedom. I'm quoting from the factory ' if you are parked for more then a few hours on a consistent slant the exceeds your personal "creature comfort" ' --- then turn off the refrigerator. A few degree off more or less will not hurt.
Re: Leveling jacks Reply #4 – March 09, 2016, 09:02:20 am Yahoo Message Number: 159270The principal advantage of jacks over blocks is the relative lack of motion inside as you move around the cabin. Once you become experienced with choosing the right blocks for the site and jockeying to level, using the blocks to level becomes a fast process, so speed is about the same either way. Anyway, blocks are inexpensive and easy to make, so since LD doesn't offer jacks, it's a decision you can make after experimenting with blocks. Since you are used to the jacked trailer, you might find you will feel better with jacks after the experiment. Note Joan's caveats on them though - the manual trailer models are far more reliable.Stevep.s. have never used jacks, feel no need.
Re: Leveling jacks Reply #5 – March 09, 2016, 11:54:00 am Yahoo Message Number: 159272For the what it is worth in my humble opinion etc., I personally would kill for a set of jacks on our old rig. We travel underweight and so the weight should not be an issue. The problem we found on the east coast was that with summer temperatures in the high 80's and 90's and the humidity a killer - leveling was a brute of a job. Many (too many) of the campgrounds both private and state did not even have the word 'level' in their vocabulary. Not only would sites be uneven north and south, but they would be uneven east and west, or east or west and north or south! Campgrounds built on hills, or clay or gravel sites that wash out etc. Sometimes we are just plain and simple given the worst campsite for whatever reason. Anyway, after travelling for hours in the rig, the engine is hothothot and the exhaust seems hotterhotterhotter! Bending over my tummy to get the leveling blocks in place when I don't do well in heat anyway is absolutely miserable. For many reasons I have done little driving in my adult life and although in an emergency I would drive our LD, I pray that that emergency never occurs. My attempts at driving up onto those leveling blocks have been sad.They currently are, however, a win the lottery purchase!Sandy KalleAnka TK '96 Vt
Re: Leveling jacks Reply #6 – March 10, 2016, 01:33:05 pm Yahoo Message Number: 159301I have a non LD but it has jacks and we love them. Not quite as much love since I spent 10 hours working on a jack this week. But I don't really understand all the negativity about them. Of course we are rarely camped with out moving the RV more than 2-3 days. Pull into a non level site after dark and it's raining heavy. The jacks are loved again... Garry
Re: Leveling jacks Reply #7 – March 10, 2016, 05:02:55 pm Yahoo Message Number: 159302We thank all for their insights and replays. Once we get our unit we will have jacks installed. Thanks for letting us know. By the way, anyone in the JAX area that we can possible meet and see your unit would be appreciated. Have only seen photos of the LD, never a real, live unit.Thanks again,Kurt
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