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11-10-2017, 08:04 PM
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#41
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,651
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OOH, testy. Here's an excerpt for the Lippert system installed on the GT. It's supposed to be for coaches built in 2009 thru current.
"AUTOMATIC/MANUAL LEVELING PROCEDURE"
"NOTE: REFER TO FIG. 4 FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING LOCATION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC. ELECTRONIC LEVELING SYSTEM". NOTE: Coach must be running for LCI Electronic Leveling System to operate.
Yes, Jacks first then slides and that was the question but everyone went off on a tangent and described their procedure and it did not add any value to the OP. The levelers will operate without the engine running but the running does assist with power. It's true the slides will not deploy with the engine running. SSSCUSE ME.
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11-10-2017, 08:14 PM
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#42
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Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 33
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bubbles,very nice info glad you helped,that's what it's all about
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11-10-2017, 08:25 PM
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#43
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 292
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Quote:
Originally Posted by youroo
This thread brings back memories of a High$$$$$ Coach,they were offended when I call it a Bus,pulled into Several sites and attempted to Level! This was at Johnsons CG at East Glacier NP,there are Very Few Level sites,they tried them all.frontwards and backwards,with No Luck! Their "Coach" had to be LEVEL before the "Coach" would allow the slides to deploy! They ended up down by the Office/Laundromat! But they could "Deploy the Slides"! Youroo!!
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Lmao [emoji23]
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11-12-2017, 08:51 PM
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#44
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 92
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Quote:
Originally Posted by exlnt1900
Have read and heard two conflicting statements about what to do with slides- in or out when leveling. Checked Lippert manual and Georgetown owner manual and not addressed. Dealer said to check manual. I have heard from others to go with slides in, level, and then slides out.
Would appreciate any thoughts.
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We have a Georgetown 335DS we always level first with engine running and emergency break on. Once level I shut off engine and then get the water and sewer hooked up then we open the slides. Are slides will not open out or close in w/the engine running.
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11-12-2017, 09:52 PM
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#45
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,651
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rcampli
We have a Georgetown 335DS we always level first with engine running and emergency break on. Once level I shut off engine and then get the water and sewer hooked up then we open the slides. Are slides will not open out or close in w/the engine running.
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One important step omitted. Shore power connected before deploying slides.
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11-12-2017, 10:05 PM
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#46
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 514
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Quote:
Originally Posted by km5xa
On my Georgetown, my levels will not work with the engine running. Soon as the key is turned on they will retract. They will not go down until the ignition is turned off. The reason for hooking the shore power according to Brian was a less strain on the batteries. And since he is the head at the service and warranty of Forest River, I figured he knows what he's talking about. LOL.
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Interesting, Mine work with the engine running if the parking brake is applied. As soon as I disengage the Parking brake the levels will retract.
__________________
2014 Georgetown XL 352QS
2013-2019 Days Camped-502
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11-12-2017, 11:32 PM
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#47
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,651
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Quote:
Originally Posted by km5xa
On my Georgetown, my levels will not work with the engine running. Soon as the key is turned on they will retract. They will not go down until the ignition is turned off. The reason for hooking the shore power according to Brian was a less strain on the batteries. And since he is the head at the service and warranty of Forest River, I figured he knows what he's talking about. LOL.
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This sounds as though the levelers are tied to the "slide lockout" function. This goes against every Lippert hydraulic levelling system manual. Me thinks this Brian may have been referencing something other than a Forest River Georgetown or any motorhome. If your coach does operate as you have written, you have issues.
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11-12-2017, 11:37 PM
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#48
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Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 33
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My Georgetown also will not work with engine running,
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11-13-2017, 09:45 AM
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#49
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Bill & Janet
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Van Buren Arkansas
Posts: 89
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I don't have Lippert hydraulic levelling system. My Georgetown has a Equalizer Systems for the level and slides. Oh, and I love the Thunderbird bubbles.
__________________
Bill & Janet
2011 Georgetown XL 360 DS
2013 Honda CRV
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11-13-2017, 10:13 AM
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#50
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,651
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Quote:
Originally Posted by km5xa
I don't have Lippert hydraulic levelling system. My Georgetown has a Equalizer Systems for the level and slides. Oh, and I love the Thunderbird bubbles.
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Well, that would explain it. That system has a number of different wiring interface connections and yours has the options you mentioned. Didn't know Forest River installed that system on any GT coach. Learn something everyday. It's a 56 Tbird and fun to drive.
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11-13-2017, 11:09 AM
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#51
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Bill & Janet
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Van Buren Arkansas
Posts: 89
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I've always wondered why there're so few Equalizer Systems on GTs. Only problem I had with it was the controller went out and would not put the front right jacket down. Got it from RVupgrades.com. No problem sense. Should've seen me leveling the rig when it went bad. Had to crawl under remove the hot wire from the left front to the right front and do everything manually. Took about 30+ minutes to level. LOL.
Always wanted to 50s T bird or Corvette. Thinking of going and seeing some friends who are workampers at Lake Conroe KOA during spring break. Wife's a teacher. My have to take a detour to check it out.
__________________
Bill & Janet
2011 Georgetown XL 360 DS
2013 Honda CRV
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11-13-2017, 11:08 PM
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#52
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 59
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Level before putting slide out?
So, I read that it’s best to level before putting the slide out. I did this and put all four stabilizers down. The first two times I used the trailer, Rockwood Mini Lite 2503, the level shifted around 1 inch after putting the slide out. I now add 1 inch on the slide side, put the stabilizers down, put the slide out and am almost always close to perfectly level. The way I see it there is an additional force due to extending the weight that pushes down on the side with the slide and slightly lifting the opposite side. I admit that I might not be thinking correctly but my level sure moves if I extend the slide, even after putting the stabilizers down. Any insight is welcomed.
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11-14-2017, 06:55 AM
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#53
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 498
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I always recheck my level after extending my living room slide. It is a very big slide and always alters the level on that side. It is possibly due to some slight frame twist so I make a small adjustment. It only takes a few minutes so no big deal. But since the frig and sofa and other stuff is on that slide I like to get it spot on
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11-14-2017, 09:18 AM
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#54
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Willis, TX
Posts: 548
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All jacks do not extend and level at the same time. They seem to work at the same time but not to complete at the same time. This meant it needs to adjust back and forth few times on each jack before the RV leveled and stops.
1 - If you extend the slides before the jacks leveled, each jack would have to work harder because of the extra cantilever weight that was added due to the slides were extended.
2 - If the coach were not level properly before extending the slides, your power system that operates the slides would also have to work harder to extend or retract the slide. The more out of level, the more the binding you may experience. Some RV came with the mechanical slide extender, it would put more stress on the gear, track or cable whichever applies to your RV. Some RV like mine has the hydraulic slide system, which is very strong, and it less likely to break down easy like the mechanical slides system, BUT it would cause something else to break if the slide is bound.
That said, the best way to make all of the parts/components last as long as it should, you need to put as least stress on the part/component as possible.
My rule of thumb is:
1 - Jack down leveled then slide extend.
2 - Slides retracted completely then jack up.
It does not matter which RV brand or model, it just a simple logic and the law of gravity. Once you understand the logic, it does not matter with or without the manual, you will be safe at all time.
Besides, when arrived at the location, while the engine is still on, put on the parking brake, have the jacks down, then turn off the engine, then slide out, because the slides could not be extended with the key on anyway.
When leaving the location, this is my order:
1 - Load up all of the camping gears, flush and disconnect the sewage first, then load up enough water to the tank then disconnect the water line, then shore power last.
2 - Once the outside tasks were completed, while there is no key in the ignition, packing the interior cabin to ensure there is no obstruction for the slides, retract the slides, then ignition on, engine start, then retract the jacks, walk back outside, inspection around the RV, look under the RV to ensure there is no leaking of any source, remove and store the leveling pads, then release the parking brake when everyone sat in and seat belted. Time to go!
Have fun!
__________________
Tam & Ha from Willis, TX
2016 Georgetown XL 352QS
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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11-14-2017, 11:19 AM
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#55
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Milton Ontario
Posts: 50
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I would agree level first and then slides I also use a LevelMatePRO to check my true levels you calibrate the unit and it helps to tell you where you are.
I am doing a video on my YouTube showing how I do that.
Should be posted by this afternoon
A Canadien RVer A
Check it out.
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11-16-2017, 08:09 PM
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#56
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 218
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gm Mike
We always level first then put out the slides. I would never move the unit with my slides out. I also prefer to have shore power hooked up (if available) before I extend and or retract.
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X2, I'm with you...
__________________
Walt, Lanie and our fur baby "Foxie" loving life in the RV
2011 GEORGETOWN 337DS
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11-16-2017, 08:39 PM
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#57
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Farmer
Posts: 4,988
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gm Mike
We always level first then put out the slides. I would never move the unit with my slides out. I also prefer to have shore power hooked up (if available) before I extend and or retract.
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X3... here as well 👍
__________________
2016 Coachmen Apex 250RLS Ultra Light 2023 Ram 2500 Big Horn Sport 3.73
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11-17-2017, 07:13 AM
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#58
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 182
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Leveling
Quote:
Originally Posted by bubbles
Thought this was a Georgetown (GT) motorhome thread but sure looks like trailers and 5th wheels have interjected their procedures (not the same). GT procedure I believe are after parking on spot with engine running (for extra battery boost) and parking brake set, level the coach. Shut down engine, plug into shore power and set up sewer, water, TV cable, etc. (so slides don't interfere) then extend slides with shore power providing battery boost. Reverse procedure when departing.
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I can't "shut engine down" to level with jacks. I DO however have to set the parking brake.
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12-08-2017, 08:19 AM
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#59
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 69
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I was told to level the Georgetown prior to extending the slides by the dealer
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12-08-2017, 08:49 AM
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#60
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Grampy Dan & Gigi
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Fredericton, NB
Posts: 25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tamdle
All jacks do not extend and level at the same time. They seem to work at the same time but not to complete at the same time. This meant it needs to adjust back and forth few times on each jack before the RV leveled and stops.
1 - If you extend the slides before the jacks leveled, each jack would have to work harder because of the extra cantilever weight that was added due to the slides were extended.
2 - If the coach were not level properly before extending the slides, your power system that operates the slides would also have to work harder to extend or retract the slide. The more out of level, the more the binding you may experience. Some RV came with the mechanical slide extender, it would put more stress on the gear, track or cable whichever applies to your RV. Some RV like mine has the hydraulic slide system, which is very strong, and it less likely to break down easy like the mechanical slides system, BUT it would cause something else to break if the slide is bound.
That said, the best way to make all of the parts/components last as long as it should, you need to put as least stress on the part/component as possible.
My rule of thumb is:
1 - Jack down leveled then slide extend.
2 - Slides retracted completely then jack up.
It does not matter which RV brand or model, it just a simple logic and the law of gravity. Once you understand the logic, it does not matter with or without the manual, you will be safe at all time.
Besides, when arrived at the location, while the engine is still on, put on the parking brake, have the jacks down, then turn off the engine, then slide out, because the slides could not be extended with the key on anyway.
When leaving the location, this is my order:
1 - Load up all of the camping gears, flush and disconnect the sewage first, then load up enough water to the tank then disconnect the water line, then shore power last.
2 - Once the outside tasks were completed, while there is no key in the ignition, packing the interior cabin to ensure there is no obstruction for the slides, retract the slides, then ignition on, engine start, then retract the jacks, walk back outside, inspection around the RV, look under the RV to ensure there is no leaking of any source, remove and store the leveling pads, then release the parking brake when everyone sat in and seat belted. Time to go!
Have fun!
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As a newby this is the process I have used since day one for all the good reasons stated in this and other posts I read prior to buying. I have learned so many great things from this forum that has made my RVing time way more enjoyable. If we relied on demos during PDI and or the limited manuals we would be in big trouble. Thanks all!
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