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05-02-2016, 01:02 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Manahawkin
Posts: 2,317
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Auto Leveling is it worth it?
I found a Crusader 2012 model 290 but it has the Real power stabilizers not the 4 point auto leveling system.
Just wondering if what ppl have and if the auto leveling units are worth that much more bc I can get this one that is clean and setup how I like for $5K less then say a 2013/2014?
2016 F350 SCREW SB 6.7 PS Diesel
2015 FR Rockwood Roo 23IKSS
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2016 F350 Supercew Short Box 6.7 PowerStroke Diesel
2013 Crusader 295RST Touring Edition
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05-02-2016, 01:10 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Whereever our Berkshire is Parked!
Posts: 7,082
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It's a personal decision.
Having said that, I do not know of one single person that regrets getting a camper with a auto-leveling system (some folks call it the "Camp" button )
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Bob & Anne-Marie [BamaBob & 6 Actual]
| 2017 Berkshire XLT 43A with Ultrasteer Tag | Blue Ox Avail + KarGard II |
| SMI AF-1 Air Brake | 2016 Jeep Cherokee Overland TOAD | Pedego Bikes |
Nights Camped: 2013 - 24 • 2014 - 42 • 2015 - 56 • Jul 2016 - Fulltime •
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05-02-2016, 01:16 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,460
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BamaBob
It's a personal decision.
Having said that, I do not know of one single person that regrets getting a camper with a auto-leveling system (some folks call it the "Camp" button )
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X100 what he says 😊⬆️⬆️⬆️
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05-02-2016, 01:21 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Lower Michigan
Posts: 1,471
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It sure is nice to grab a beer, hit a button and watch it do its thing.
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Bill & Pam
2014 Trilogy 3650RE
2015 F350 PSD
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05-02-2016, 01:30 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Englewood FL
Posts: 2,797
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Frankly, I have had both and consider the auto system somewhat wasteful of jack extension. My old MH didn't have slides so all I was levelling for was the propane powered reefer. My 335 has two slides and I am a little OCD about getting it level before I extend the slides. I look for level sites and also have a inexpensive Home depot two axis level so I can see what is going on. The auto level seems to overextend the jacks which can result in the wheels coming off the ground. I find that when I level with it manually I get better results with far less jack extension. It is really nothing to decide how to do it from the bubble levels.
Bottom line, I could do without auto levelling...and generally do! It certainly ain't worth 5 grand! If you can figure out how a bubble level works...don't even sweat it.
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2015 335DS
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05-02-2016, 02:26 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Manahawkin
Posts: 2,317
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScottBrownstein
Frankly, I have had both and consider the auto system somewhat wasteful of jack extension. My old MH didn't have slides so all I was levelling for was the propane powered reefer. My 335 has two slides and I am a little OCD about getting it level before I extend the slides. I look for level sites and also have a inexpensive Home depot two axis level so I can see what is going on. The auto level seems to overextend the jacks which can result in the wheels coming off the ground. I find that when I level with it manually I get better results with far less jack extension. It is really nothing to decide how to do it from the bubble levels.
Bottom line, I could do without auto levelling...and generally do! It certainly ain't worth 5 grand! If you can figure out how a bubble level works...don't even sweat it.
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I have been leveling all my trailers with bubble levels but Primetime only put in 4 way Auto Leveling systems in 2013-2017 not older units so the 5th wheel I am looking at has power front legs but only those power X stabilizer jacks in the rear they are independent of the front jacks. I did not want to spend $4,000 on an auto leveling system unless it was hydraulic?
2016 F350 SCREW SB 6.7 PS Diesel
2015 FR Rockwood Roo 23IKSS
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2016 F350 Supercew Short Box 6.7 PowerStroke Diesel
2013 Crusader 295RST Touring Edition
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05-02-2016, 04:25 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 23
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We have the 4 point electric on our fiver, my last camper was a travel trailer with manual stabilizers. I like being able to hit a button and start hooking up hoses while it levels. It also remembers the hitch height and makes hooking back up a breeze. It also makes the camper very steady. It just depends if you want to spend the money. I will not buy another one without it but that's just me.
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Prime Time Sanibel Traveler 38QB
2015 Chevy 2500 HD Duramax
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05-02-2016, 06:51 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 231
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I've got it on our Crusader and would never be without it again. Press the auto-level, connect electric, water and sewer if necessary. Done!
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2015 Crusader 315RST
2011 Silverado 2500HD
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05-02-2016, 07:01 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 684
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Totally 100% worth it for me. While not a deal breaker it is a very close one. Roll in, drop rig, hit button. Yup.
For a 5K hit though, no. Also IMHO not something I'd pay a lot for after the fact. Especially not close to 5K.
Hard choice if you are going used. Many other factors to consider.
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2015 F-350 SRW 6.7 PSD
2014 Crusader 295RST
1 Fantastic DW
1 Amazing DD
1 Beagle that will be missed (RIP Zeus)
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05-02-2016, 07:22 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Chicago, Rochester now GA/SC at Lake Hartwell
Posts: 197
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My last class A had HWI joystick and four jacks. Took a few minutes but I thought they were very strong and completely adequate.
My XLR 415AMP has automatic leveling with six jacks. After "teaching" the unit what I think level is (level on bottom of freezer) I push the button, the entire camper dances up and down a bit and it's done. Way cool.
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2019 Sandpiper 379FLOK, F350 Lariat 6.7 DRW, KN4YBP APRS, NRA Benefactors.
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05-02-2016, 07:26 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: N. Lake Tahoe CA
Posts: 40
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On a motorhome, I don't know if you can get without. For a fifth, IMO, one more thing to go wrong.
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2004 Dodge RAM Cummins Diesel New Venture six speed 4x4 crewcab
2016 Rockwood 8280WS
Two 5 year old herding dogs - that shed year round
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05-02-2016, 07:31 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 849
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I've got a 14 crusader 315 and wouldn't be without it. Best thing they've came up with yet in my opinion.
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05-02-2016, 07:36 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Stony Plain, Alberta
Posts: 218
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My thought would be depends on your camping.
If you camp frequently then yes it is.
If your a seasonal camper like myself then the auto level is rarely used, once again like myself.
We use ours twice a year, mind you I really do like the ALS.
John
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07- Classic 2500 LT CC 4x4 SB Duramax/Ally
13-320RLT Crusader TE
Reese 16K Kwik Slide/Prodigy brake contoller
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05-02-2016, 07:49 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Eastern NC
Posts: 3,963
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I have the Lippert Ground Control 3.0 electric 4 point system on a 2016 35' 5er. I would never ever ~~ not ever ~~ be without it. I keep a 2x8 for the ground and adjust with plastic blocks so no leg has to over extend. Rarely does one extend more than 6". Usually ends at 0.01 degree off both tilt and angle. Auto-level YES, power stabilizers I'd not bother with.
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2022 Montana 3855 BR
2019 F350 6.7 4X4 LB Dually
Edgewater 205 EX 150 Yamaha
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05-02-2016, 07:56 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Chicago
Posts: 282
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I found it crosses into "worth it" territory at about age 60, and increases in value every year after.
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2009 FreeLander - Retired
2015 FR3 30DS - Retired
2023 Sunseeker 2440DS
Towing 2016 Chevy Sonic LT
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05-02-2016, 08:09 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Lower Michigan
Posts: 1,471
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TLAK
I found it crosses into "worth it" territory at about age 60, and increases in value every year after.
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Yep, ain't that the truth.
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Bill & Pam
2014 Trilogy 3650RE
2015 F350 PSD
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05-02-2016, 08:13 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Eastern NC
Posts: 3,963
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TLAK
I found it crosses into "worth it" territory at about age 60, and increases in value every year after.
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You may have a point ~~ 68 in less than a week,
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2022 Montana 3855 BR
2019 F350 6.7 4X4 LB Dually
Edgewater 205 EX 150 Yamaha
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05-02-2016, 08:29 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Kansas
Posts: 1,272
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"Is auto leveling worth it" is a bear drawn to honey ... does bark protect a tree ... does the sun rise in the East ... hell yeah! I too fought the auto level option boasting of how well I could just haul some 2X8's around and save that money for diesel fuel. Then I bought my Silverback with the auto level ... easy peezy press the button and watch it work its magic ... no more "spirited" conversations with the better half while leveling manually.
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05-02-2016, 08:34 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Englewood FL
Posts: 2,797
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Perhaps we have a terminology issue here. I have always had hydraulic levelers, just not automatic ones. Would I work with jacks and timbers...no way. Do I need it to decide when I am level? Not that important.
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2015 335DS
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05-02-2016, 08:51 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Kansas
Posts: 1,272
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"Do I need it to decide when I am level? Not that important. "
I bet your fridge just loves you to death ...
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