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Old 02-22-2017, 12:19 AM   #1
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Cardinal 5th wheel front landing gear

This is my 1st 5th wheel and I was wondering on the front landing gear, when you are letting down your jacks and one side is higher than the other and you let them down, do both of them go down at the same rate or do you need to put blocks under one to make sure they touch at the same time before you put weight on them
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Old 02-22-2017, 05:54 AM   #2
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Take the cross link between the two loose on one end and manually lower the high one to match ......They should both make contact at the same time
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Old 02-22-2017, 10:20 AM   #3
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Do you have the hydraulic level up system or do the front legs have snap pins on them?

If you have the snap pins style front legs these can be adjusted so they land together and raise the front end. You should still put pads or wooden boards under the leg supports to spread out the loading foot print.

Now if you have the Lippert hydraulic level up system the front legs may not be adjustable at all. So, you will need to carry blocking and or pads that can be adjusted for grade differences. I place pads/wooden blocking under all of my support rams on my trailer.

Some campgrounds are now requiring pads under your support rams to prevent damage to their level pad.
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Old 02-22-2017, 11:41 AM   #4
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I have a cardinal with the lippert level up legs. I believe both front legs are on a common hydraulic system as are the rear. when I lower the front legs they both go down until they hit the ground as they basically have no resistance until they hit the ground. as soon as one hits the ground the other one keeps going as it is taking the hydraulic pressure and can still move. as soon as both of them are against the ground they will then move in tandem as they both see the same hydraulic pressure and resistance. also, if you have the auto level feature they will move as required to level the trailer and each leg may end being lowered a different amount.
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Old 02-22-2017, 01:17 PM   #5
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After leveling side to side You need to manually extend them so that they are both the same hight from the ground then raise the trailer.
When i had one leg gobad i replaced both with ones with independent motors. Much nicer.
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Old 02-22-2017, 02:07 PM   #6
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I had the same question when I bought my first 5er about 3 years ago. The goal is to have the front landing gear pads hit the ground surface at about the same time so as not to twist the frame. I made some 8 inch square pads out of some scrap 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch plywood to place under the front landing gear pads to accomplish this. After leveling side to side, I run the landing gear down to about half way from the frame to the ground, then drop the feet using the snap pins. If they are uneven, I'll use the plywood shims until they are even. Good luck and safe travels.
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Old 02-22-2017, 03:48 PM   #7
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Jakester,

Without knowing if you have electric, hydraulic, or Level Up System no one can accurately answer for YOUR camper. If you're not sure at least post the year or a picture of the landing gear.
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Old 02-22-2017, 03:55 PM   #8
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We have a CC with auto level system. The driver's side almost always is on the ground before the right hand side starts moving.
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Old 02-22-2017, 04:17 PM   #9
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Jakester,

Without knowing if you have electric, hydraulic, or Level Up System no one can accurately answer for YOUR camper. If you're not sure at least post the year or a picture of the landing gear.
Bingo!
Need more info.
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Old 02-22-2017, 05:39 PM   #10
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[QUOTE=5picker;1427667]Bingo!

I do not believe it is hydraulic. I know all my slides are hydraulic. It is a 2011. Cardinal model 3515. It has the snap pins on the front jacks and it does not have the auto leveling system
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Old 02-22-2017, 08:02 PM   #11
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[QUOTE=Jakester;1427748]
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Bingo!

I do not believe it is hydraulic. I know all my slides are hydraulic. It is a 2011. Cardinal model 3515. It has the snap pins on the front jacks and it does not have the auto leveling system
Can you post a photo of the landing jack leg?
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Old 02-23-2017, 12:03 AM   #12
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Old 02-23-2017, 10:24 AM   #13
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I edited your picture so we could better see what you have.
You do not have hydraulic landing gear jacks.

When deploying, you will want to utilize whatever blocking you deem necessary under the jack feet. (usually the less extended jack the better) Pull the pins to adjust the lower legs so the pads are as equal to the leveling blocks as possible.

The goal is to get both jack pads to touch the leveling blocks at the same time. This means one leg can (and usually is) a different length than the other. The distance between the pad and the block doesn't have to be precise but I've always tried to stay within a 1/4" or so to keep the rig level. To accomplish this it is best to carry some blocks of varying thicknesses.

As a side note... when hitched to your truck, retract the landing jacks to their up most position. Lower the jacks 1" and make a paint mark where the inner/lower leg meets the upper/outer leg. Use that mark as your fully retract limit. Under certain conditions (ground sinking, etc) you'll find that extra 'cushion' comes in handy.
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