More BigFoot leveler issues with photo

Sagecoachdriver · 09-20-2015, 01:45 PM

Is this correct for my Platinum BigFoot levelers? My front levelers are 6 1/2" off the ground when retracted. I rode it up a bit on the ramps then placed 6 of 1" lego blocks under the leveler feet and raised it up to level. The rears aren't needed. This looks funny and I'm sure the levelers would be over extended if I didn't use the blocks. Fronts would be off the ground without ramps.
With leveler's feet at 6'5" off the ground, how many inches can this lift up?
Are the Lego plastic blocks strong enough or do I need to carry wood planks too?

Hoglou · 09-20-2015, 01:53 PM

Are you saying that the front levelers will not level the coach? Maybe some ford folk can speak up, but with the 4500 chevy chassis the front jacks can put the front tires in the air. The space in the pic looks level, is it? Can you get a green center bigfot light without the blocks?

Sagecoachdriver · 09-20-2015, 02:00 PM

Motorhome is level. This has the Platinum levelers and no real automatic. I was told to use the extended button and manually extended various levelers to get it level. Using the START button puts all of them on the ground at the same length, I think. Can cause over extension???
Yes, the front wheels would be off the ground because I used 6 inches of Lego blocks.

Hoglou · 09-20-2015, 02:41 PM

I dont see any mention about over extentsion in the instruction. I dont consider it a concern. Now if it was twisting the frame thats another issue, but in pairs I say go for it. Any one else out their with a comment?

24/7 bigfoot tech support at 800.752.9815 to be sure....

lbrunning · 09-20-2015, 04:36 PM

You cant over extend the hydraulic cylinders they simply will come to the end of there stroke but like hoglu said run them in pairs to avoid twisting the frame. I also use the yellow ramp for the front wheels if I need to get close to level and at times wood blocks at the rear. I like to be 1/2 bubble or less from level before running levelers. Imo I do not like the plastic leggo blocks for my 3170 and always use some 2x10 boards under the levelers. Looks to me like you are on the right track it took me most of my first season with them to get totally comfortable but now I would never get another class c with out them.

Boso · 09-20-2015, 06:27 PM

If I had to use blocks to level I would think the Bigfoot levelers were a waste of money. My front tires are off the ground most of the time when camping. That's normal unless you have air suspension.my neighbor has a Georgetown and his front tires stay off the ground most all the time as he stores in his yard but keeps his refrig on

papap · 09-20-2015, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boso

If I had to use blocks to level I would think the Bigfoot levelers were a waste of money. My front tires are off the ground most of the time when camping. That's normal unless you have air suspension.my neighbor has a Georgetown and his front tires stay off the ground most all the time as he stores in his yard but keeps his refrig on

This is what I thought also. We were camping a couple weeks ago and the front wheels were off the ground. Some lady came by telling my wife I was crazy doing that.

lbrunning · 09-20-2015, 09:44 PM

I understand the front wheels can be off the ground I just personally don't care for it so I use blocks.

Boso · 09-20-2015, 09:52 PM

I think that's ok if it is what you want to do but I don't think it is necessary I wouldn't do and never done it with other coaches

Sagecoachdriver · 09-20-2015, 10:20 PM

Boso, what is the height of your levelers fully retracted a off the ground?

Boso · 09-20-2015, 10:36 PM

Sorry I don't have a clue most of the time on steep incline I set to auto when finished then raise the front two manually to fully extend because mine will not fully extend on auto but sometimes I need that extra inch or so that I can get manually and the front tires off the ground doesn't matter

Boso · 09-20-2015, 10:49 PM

Sorry I mis understood don't know that either I try to keep 70 75psi in air bags to keep them from hitting on curbs or steep driveways that always works if I can keep up with air loss in bags

Sagecoachdriver · 09-21-2015, 01:38 AM

Went to the BigFoot site and read all the material I could find on the Platinum. It said to press the Power button and then the start button. It should take 30 seconds and bring the motorhome to level front to rear. If further adjustments are necessary, press extend and the appropriate leveler. I believe the fronts are 12" of piston stroke and the rears are 14" and the recommended height is 6.5" to 8.5". So that means my fronts at 6.5" height have a total lift distance of 5.5" and my rears are 9.5" and a lift of 4.5" unless I use Leggo pads or wood blocking. As mentioned before, my fronts were 5.5" and the rears were 8.5" and scraping.
Perhaps the best method may be to level as best I can with leveling ramps. If I am up the yellow leveling ramp 3", add 3" of Leggo pads or wood blocks under the leveler foot. When all adjustment blocking is done, hit the Power and then Start buttons.
Wonder how I got stuck with this system and not the fully automatic?

A32Deuce · 09-21-2015, 07:26 PM

I just had the Equalizer levelers installed on my SunSeeker after Goshen. Great, hit power then auto level. Done. If the don't level, they tell you, then use blocks. Other wise normal level, good to go.

Garrette · 09-21-2015, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boso

Sorry I don't have a clue most of the time on steep incline I set to auto when finished then raise the front two manually to fully extend because mine will not fully extend on auto but sometimes I need that extra inch or so that I can get manually and the front tires off the ground doesn't matter

Remember, always chock your wheels. If the rear wheels are off the ground, your parking brake will not do any good and you could bend your jacks if the coach rolls backwards with jacks deployed. And yes, I have had a campsite where the rear wheels were off the ground.
When chocking, a quick visual will tell you if your wheels will be off ground.

Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

Boso · 09-21-2015, 08:44 PM

Yes you are right I would never raise the back tires off the ground with jacks then some like me would also have the airbag issue if you believe your manual on airbags

Sagecoachdriver · 09-21-2015, 09:51 PM

If the rear wheels are going to be off the ground, isn't it best to drive up on ramps or boards and then lower the jacks? Then the rear wheels could still be making contact and have weight on the ramps or boards. Of course, the ramps and boards can move along with the levelers.
Our favorite site in Yosemite is a back in and drops a good 4". We have always had to use 4 of the ramps in my photos to get the rears up and level. I was hoping to again use the ramps for the rears and put blocks under the rear leveler feet to shorten the stroke and keep tires on the ramps weighted.

ORvideoguy · 09-21-2015, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sagecoachdriver

Wonder how I got stuck with this system and not the fully automatic?

I think it's just that the 2016 Foresters and Sunseekers have the Platinum edition of Bigfoot levelers instead of the fully automatic. The 2015 Forester I got in March has the fully automatic Bigfoot levelers but it also doesn't have the external speakers. I would assume it's one of those things that Forest River has changed over the year.

Sagecoachdriver · 09-21-2015, 10:23 PM

The BigFoot totally automatic levelers cost $600 more and I would have gladly paid that. I think the speakers come as are part of the outdoor TV entertainment center which we will never use.

ORvideoguy · 09-21-2015, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sagecoachdriver

The BigFoot totally automatic levelers cost $600 more and I would have gladly paid that. I think the speakers come as are part of the outdoor TV entertainment center which we will never use.

Forest River, and I suspect other manufacturers, make changes throughout the year and I believe the change from auto leveling to Platinum was one of those changes. The reason I mentioned the speakers is because it is another example of a rolling change.

I could be wrong but the speakers I'm talking about are now included on all new 2016 coaches even without the outside TV. There is still the option of the outdoor TV/entertainment center with it's own set of speakers but the latest 2016's have outdoor speakers just under the awning that my 2015 doesn't have. I have the outdoor TV/entertainment center but not the speakers under the awning. That's just the way the RV business works.

Your levelers sound like they are nearly automatic with some minor tweaking as needed. I would guess you could contact Bigfoot and ask if your system can be upgraded with the automatic control unit and whatever else extra that the automatic system has. I hear they have excellent customer service.

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