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Topic: Big foot Hydraulic leveler jacks. (Read 541 times) previous topic - next topic
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Big foot Hydraulic leveler jacks.
Hello All,
I'm a newbie to the forum, just purchasing a 2005 26.5 mid bath LD.  So far the LD experience has been  terrific; especially just receiving it back from Redlands Truck and RV in Redlands, CA. We had a complete brake job, replacement of shocks, super steer rear E450 Trac Bar, Safe T Plus Silver Unit #140 installed, four wheel alignment and  the LD's weighed.

What a difference these upgrades have made in the drivability of our rig: No more tail waging the dog and that floating steering sensation( at least with our rig) that I experienced.

I do have a question regarding the Bigfoot Hydraulic Leveling system on the LD's.:  While having coffee with a group of experienced RVers., one of the fellows stated that you shouldn't leave the hydraulic levelers in use for  any extended period of time.  His reasoning is that the pressure exerted on the rams hydraulic seals will cause early failure of the system. That makes sense to me, but after going on line and reading Bigfoots installation and Owners manual it didn't mention this scenario.  Do any of you have any practical experience with the Bigfoot Levelers or expertise with hydraulic rams that might have some insight on the issue? We're blessed to have RV parking next to our home with electric, water and sewer dump and can use our rig as a get away spot.
Blessings, Macmarty
2005 MB
Re: Big foot Hydrolic leveler jacks.
Reply #1 –
"Do any of you have any practical experience with the Bigfoot Levelers or expertise with hydraulic rams that might have some insight on the issue?"

Because I have the Kwicky (Sp?) System I cannot speak to the Bigfoot's. However, my experience with the hydraulic rams is quite the opposite of what you have heard. My leveler system is 15 years old and outside of having to reset the control module memory a few times there has never been an issue with the rams. Mine are deployed, particularly the front, whenever I'm stationary, including the months that the LD sits idle in my side yard.   ;)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Big foot Hydrolic leveler jacks.
Reply #2 –
So glad this topic came up. We have a 2018 24 ft twin king. We had HWH levelers with lever controls that we loved on our old LD and are going to install levelers on the new rig.
For economic reasons we are probably going to get the "manually" operated ones, HWH 225 or big foot PC-E4501 platinum system. What we are having trouble with is installation. Our Albuquerque Camping World said the only system that would work on our rig would be the HWH 750 kick down levelers and they would have to remove and replace all the sewer pipes for an extra $1200.  We don't believe that.
I called the factory and they recommended shopping around for other installers. SO.... has anyone had levelers installed on a newer rig with the low hanging sewer cleanouts and does anyone have a recommendation for installers in Albuquerque or southern Az (I recently saw some nice things about M&B in Yuma) or in the San Diego/Carlsbad/southern LA area? Also any HWH vs. Big Foot comments or kick down vs.straight down ?  Thanks in advance!
2018 24' Twin King (replacing 1987 22' TK)
Re: Big foot Hydrolic leveler jacks.
Reply #4 –
MacMarty and Linda, I have had Bigfoot levelers on my RV since January, 2009.  I am a fulltimer and I use the levelers whenever I am parked for more than an hour.  When the location I am staying at allows it, I stay for as long as possible, based on tank capacities.  If I am boondocking or hooked up to water, this means up to a 2 week stay.  My longest time in one place was in Maine in the summer of 2009, in a commercial but nice campground with full hookups.  I had the jacks deployed for 9 weeks.   So, my experience has been that there was no issue with having the Bigfoot jacks down for long periods.  As to stuff having to be removed and replaced, all I can say is, "Not on my Midbath".  The Twin King might be different, but I doubt it.  Linda, I urge you to talk to a Bigfoot dealer before making a decision.

Ken F in NM
'08 MB
Re: Big foot Hydrolic leveler jacks.
Reply #5 –
Quote from: Linda K  - 

Our Albuquerque Camping World said the only system that would work on our rig would be the HWH 750 kick down levelers and they would have to remove and replace all the sewer pipes for an extra $1200.  We don't believe that.

If you don't believe them, consult another installer. Having been under dozens of T/Ks, I have no problem believing installing levelers will require modifications, possibly extensive, under the coach,.
Your T/K wasn't designed for levelers and the space needed for the kick-up jacks and pumps isn't necessarily available, there is other stuff in the way.
$1200 seems like a lot to R&R the drain pipes but without actually seeing what needs to go where, who knows?

Last thing, there is no way I would ever let Camping World work on our LD. IMO, they are not a class act.

Larry


Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Big foot Hydrolic leveler jacks.
Reply #6 –
Hydraulic rams are designed to hold heavy loads for extended period, especially rams designed for RVs.
I would worry more about the exposed rams rusting, in wet or salty environments.
I have seen more problems with the solenoid control valves, limits switches and hoses .

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Big foot Hydrolic leveler jacks.
Reply #7 –
The first thing I added to our 2010RB after taking delivery from the factory was the Bigfoot levelers at their outlet in Lakeland,FL. Best modification I ever made to the coach. I never trusted the kick-down style levelers. The only problem I ever had was one cylinder had an internal seal leak requiring a replacement of that unit. That was earlier this year. Like Ken, many times the jacks have easily supported the  coach for extended periods with no problems. It is best to occasionally spray WD40 on the extended rams to prevent corrosion. I also carry eight 2"X8"X10"  pt boards to gain additional height in the more tilted locations (see photo). They are also handy for changing tires. I like the manually controlled switch. To find level, I attached tube bubble levels to the drivers door (front to back indicator) and the dash (side to side indicator).  Tonight when stopping at a campground in Santa Fe, NM the site was way out of level but I had no problem getting to level using some of the boards to help (see attached photo). The other good thing for having the jacks is having to level in bad weather. That alone is a great reason alone to have the jacks.
2010 RB "Monty"  & currently: 2021 RB "Villa Verde"
2004 Born Free 26'
1998 Beaver Patriot 33'
1992 Barth Breakaway 28'
1982 Fleetwood Jamboree 23'
1982 Dolphin/Toyota 22'
Re: Big foot Hydrolic leveler jacks.
Reply #8 –
Does installing hydraulic levelers (of any brand) void the Ford chassis, or the Lazy Daze coach warranties?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Big foot Hydrolic leveler jacks.
Reply #9 –
Not at all. It is an add-on that doesn't modify any of the Ford systems. Same for LD.
2010 RB "Monty"  & currently: 2021 RB "Villa Verde"
2004 Born Free 26'
1998 Beaver Patriot 33'
1992 Barth Breakaway 28'
1982 Fleetwood Jamboree 23'
1982 Dolphin/Toyota 22'
Re: Big foot Hydrolic leveler jacks.
Reply #10 –
Linda K

While I do not have a place in ABQ that I would recommend specifically for leveler installation you might want to contact the company in the following link. Statkus is heavy into RV service but I'm unsure if they would do hydraulic levelers. But since they are local to you I'd bet they could give you a referral, even if they do not perform the work themselves.  ;D

Home - Statkus Engines - Albuquerque, New Mexico
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Big foot Hydrolic leveler jacks.
Reply #11 –
You can get a list of dealers from Bigfoot.  Froxlor Server Management Panel bigfootleveler.com
2010 RB "Monty"  & currently: 2021 RB "Villa Verde"
2004 Born Free 26'
1998 Beaver Patriot 33'
1992 Barth Breakaway 28'
1982 Fleetwood Jamboree 23'
1982 Dolphin/Toyota 22'
Re: Big foot Hydraulic leveler jacks.
Reply #12 –
Just a note re: Big Foot levelers. BigFoot does not recommend WD-40 for the extended rams, only a silicon spray. The WD-40 will attack the seals. WD-40 is only recommended for the "all up" sensors.

Ron
Ron
Re: Big foot Hydraulic leveler jacks.
Reply #13 –
Thanks for the information so far. I've been in touch with Big Foot,wishing they were closer as their installation is on sale at $300 right now. They have said that Major at M&B in Yuma and a place called Mike Thompson RV in the southern LA area order levelers from them. M&B wants $3695 all in which comes out as $1250 for labor. Thompson may have more LD experience just based on location but the parts guy quoted me $2300 for installation. He said he'd check and call me back if that was incorrect after he heard me squeak at the price. Still hoping someone with experience from a newer rig will share their experience. May wait till late spring and travel to White Pigeon MI and get Quantum (Big Foot folks) to install. Not the best plan as we are SO spoiled from the levelers we had on the old rig. We only camp about one weekend a month in the winter......
2018 24' Twin King (replacing 1987 22' TK)
Re: Big foot Hydraulic leveler jacks.
Reply #14 –
Quote from: Linda K  - 
May wait till late spring and travel to White Pigeon MI and get Quantum (Big Foot folks) to install.

If you're willing to travel to that area and still considering a HWH system, I would check out Stuarts Services in Elkhart, IN.

HWH Replacement Parts - Stuart's Services

Stewarts Services is hands down the place I would go to get a new HWH system installed.  I've ordered parts and received advice from them many times over the years and they know HWH systems inside and out. 

The former owner of my LD had HWH levelers installed at a big "World" chain and based on the receipt pile that came with the RV, had to go back many times to get it right. 

Rich
'03 MB in NC

2003 MB
Re: Big foot Hydraulic leveler jacks.
Reply #15 –
Good to know. Thanks!
2018 24' Twin King (replacing 1987 22' TK)
Re: Big foot Hydraulic leveler jacks.
Reply #16 –
We currently live in SoCal but made a 5300 mi trip recently to visit kids and grandkids. While in route we stopped in White Pigeon MI for a BigFoot installation on our recently acquired LD K32 IB. The installation was scheduled ahead of time and worked into our trip itinerary. We got there the night before and were ready the next morning for installation (They have 30A plug-ins behind their factory). The installation was complete by 1 PM and the cost of install was about $700.

This is the second BigFoot install we've had (The first on our 2000 LD MB). Happy with both.

BTW, Big Foot also has factory install site in Florida.

Ron
Ron
Re: Big foot Hydraulic leveler jacks.
Reply #17 –
Hi Linda,
Major @ M&B, Yuma, AZ did ours in 2006 and we've never had a problem.    He's done many LD's including friends of ours.  Again, no problems.    We'd definitely recommend Major.

JuliW
Juli W.
Former owner 1994 mid bath,  2006 26.5'rear bath
 
Re: Big foot Hydraulic leveler jacks.
Reply #18 –
I've also heard good things about Major in Yuma. I would not consider Mike Thompson's RV in SoCal. The $2300 install is way out of line and I question how many they have done.

Ron
Ron