Lippert LCI Leveling Jacks Question

[s1njin]

I've wondered how the Lippert jacks actually work. I have them on my rig now so its all new to me. My previous experience w/ jacks were the Quadra Bigfoot system.

From what I read, the up arrow works the front jacks in pairs, the down arrow works the rear jacks in pairs, but the side arrows only move the rear jack?

I can't get my head around that yet.

How are you guys liking these jacks? How do you feel the manual side/side leveling is working for you? I for the life of me can't fathom how the coach levels side to side w/o working the jacks in pairs.

???

[formerFR]

why do you think that the side 'arrows' don't work the side legs in pairs?

[s1njin]

Its in the manual (which I read, but in this case maybe it was better I did not).

http://idn.tweddle.com/media/bundle-...%20Manual1.pdf

Manual Leveling Procedure
Note: When leveling your coach the coach should be leveled from front to rear first. When the coach is
level from front to rear, then level the coach from side to side.
Note: The coach MUST be running and the parking brake MUST be engaged for the Class C Hydraulic
Leveling System to operate.
Note: Coach requires a minimum of 9.5V DC to perform manual leveling.
1. Press “ON/OFF” button (Fig. 1K) to turn system "ON."
2. Press “UP” or “DOWN” button (Fig. 1A and 1B) to scroll through features to “MANUAL MODE” in
display.
3. Press “ENTER” (Fig. 1C).
4. Press “FRONT” button (Fig. 1H) to extend front jacks to the ground; press “REAR” button (Fig. 1I) to run
rear jacks to the ground and level the coach front to back.
5. Press appropriate “LEFT” or “RIGHT” button to level the coach from side to side. Red lights next to the
buttons on the touch pad will indicate which side(s) of the coach needs to be raised to achieve level
condition.
Note: The front jacks will work in pairs, e.g., "FRONT" button operates both front jacks, etc.
Note: The right and left rear jacks are used to level the coach side to side. Pressing the LEFT button (Fig.
1G) on the touch pad will extend left rear jack. Pressing the RIGHT button (Fig. 1J) on the touch pad
will extend the right rear jack.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 as needed.
7. Turn power off to leveling system by pressing ON/OFF button (Fig. 1K).
8. Visually inspect all jacks to ensure all footpads are touching the ground. If one of the rear jack footpads
is not touching the ground, press the corresponding LEFT or RIGHT arrow buttons to lower the noncompliant
jack to the ground.

[formerFR]

looks like your chassis design allows for individual rear jack deployment - most large ClassA chassis designs, like freightliner, do not allow individual jack movement, but always operate in pairs, whether front, rear, or sides.

[s1njin]

Its just a modestly stretched (2') E450. This is mystifying me.

[DDC]

I do believe it is a feature built in to stop someone putting one leg all the way down and twisting the frame. We all know that there would be someone out there that would do that.

[s1njin]

It would seem to me that by allowing only the rear jacks to deploy for side to side leveling, you would be more prone to twisting the frame. I've previously had Big Foots and while you could operate them independently, they were pretty clear in the manual that you should be deploying them in pairs front, back, side/side.

[bubbles]

With them all the way up run left or right for a few seconds (manual mode) and have a look see if both (left/right) have deployed.

[s1njin]

Good idea. Maybe its a typo or something. I also emailed Lippert customer service to see if I could get anything out of them.

[s1njin]

Well I just got off the horn w/ them. For Class C's the rear jack is used to level side to side. The Lippert tech said the chassis on a C is stiff enough to be able to handle independent jack deployment and I will hurt nothing. So it wasn't a typo - its just the way it is.

I always drop my levelers after I've gotten close w/ tire legos anyway - so this shouldn't be that big a deal for me at least. I was just fascinated that the jacks worked this way.

[jk510]

I think I'd still test them the bubbles suggested. Techs have been known to be wrong, or mis-informed

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by s1njin

Well I just got off the horn w/ them. For Class C's the rear jack is used to level side to side. The Lippert tech said the chassis on a C is stiff enough to be able to handle independent jack deployment and I will hurt nothing. So it wasn't a typo - its just the way it is.

I always drop my levelers after I've gotten close w/ tire legos anyway - so this shouldn't be that big a deal for me at least. I was just fascinated that the jacks worked this way.

Seems pointless with levelers.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by DDC

I do believe it is a feature built in to stop someone putting one leg all the way down and twisting the frame. We all know that there would be someone out there that would do that.

There most certainly are! And then they would blame the frame manufacturer and jack manufacturer, anyone but themselves

[tomkatb]

My Lippert(fifth wheel) literature has a fail safe for leveling. If you push manually the set of rears, they stop if you get 5 degrees out of balance.

Ours is so easy. And fast.

[s1njin]

Originally Posted by bubbles

Seems pointless with levelers.

I like the levelers to both '0' in my level and also stiffen up the bounce in the coach - but I don't like extending them a long way or having my front tires lift. So I get close w/ the legos, and fine tune w/ the jacks.

[MOODMAN]

CAUTION!

If you have a 5er, the front landing gear can be inadvertently drawn up. This can be a disaster for your truck bed if your truck is under the front but not yet hitched. If you put all the weight down on the sides of the truck bed, it will crush the sheet metal, and probably damage the front overhang of your 5er.

[DouglasReid]

Originally Posted by MOODMAN

CAUTION!

If you have a 5er, the front landing gear can be inadvertently drawn up. This can be a disaster for your truck bed if your truck is under the front but not yet hitched. If you put all the weight down on the sides of the truck bed, it will crush the sheet metal, and probably damage the front overhang of your 5er.

X2 VERY good advice

[FrankMor]

I have the LCI levelers on a small class A (29 ft overall). the ones on the sides work together, not rear only for side to side.

Frank

[s1njin]

The tech mentioned they work in pairs for the A's b/c the chassis can't support working independently. I don't know, I'm just repeating what he told me.

[reddiver]

Not a typo. My Georgetown 33' levels side to side the same way. The cylinder pistons don't move much but it is enough to level the coach. Seems strange to me but it works.