Auto Level vs. Electric Stabilizer... is it worth it?

[Wingate]

ok, Im getting things thrown at me that I did not have to consider on the TT... . There is a $2K option on the 5er I am considering for an auto-leveling system. My question is, is it worth it? Are they reliable? Easy to use? and do that actually work? I do not mind spendingn the $$$$ if the system does what it says, and is a durable component.

I believe it is an electric system, not hydraulic, but I have not confirmed this yet... Pros/Cons of both? We have never dry camped and have always been on some type of paved surface, not always level, but paved.

I like the idea of an auto leveling system, IF IT WORKS!. One of my least desireable things to do is try and run around our current TT, checking, leveling, cranking, blocking. . etc. . In an effort to get everything snugged up.

 

[Slow Six]

We have the auto level system on our M/S and so far it has worked very well. I used to get a lot of reaction from other RVers when I set up. Once I am unhooked I push the Auto Level button and go do something else. It is one of the best options on our rig. If I am setting up on a soft surface I manually operate it until I get pads under each leg and than push Auto. My system is hydraulic.

 

[Newt]

We have Big Foot and love it. It greatly speeds up hooking up and unhooking.

Newt

 

[MelvinPierce]

My 6 point auto level electric works good.

 

[HBarlow]

Like many subjects discussed here, those who have the auto level system probably like it and will recommend it. Those of us who do not will not.

I have no doubt that it is a nice convenience to have but is it worth the initial price and added maintenance cost? Only you can decide. It was not to me. I wanted upgraded suspension, larger brakes, two roof ac units, an Onan generator, and lots of other pricey options and had to draw the line somewhere.

Personally, I think it is an expensive and extremely complex option with lots of additional switches, relays, wiring, electric motors, etc. all of which have a service life and will be costly to repair when they fail. It's a nice system when it works well but I suspect it will become very frustrating when components begin to fail.

I've been leveling and blocking travel trailers with the tongue jack or landing gear and cranking down stabilizer jacks on wood blocks since my first travel trailer bought in late 1972. It's a routine I'm accustomed to and I probably need the exercise.

 

[Wingate]

looks like we may end up ordering since we cannot find what we want on the lot. Harvey, thats what we are trying to decided, what/where to give something up to get something... We do NOT need that double door fridge, the wife only wants a single fridge and the added pantry. The double fridge is a 1400. 00 option..... the auto level is about 1600. 00, so we have been toying with the idea of putting the 1400. 00 toward auto leveling.
The generator prep would be a waste of $$$ for our needs. No matter what we purchase, it will have the auxillary a/c... still undecided on the Heat Pump option ( see other thread)

 

[Slow Six]

Good thinking on the fridge. We have the four door fridge and they are a royal pain in the ***.

 

[HBarlow]

Wingate,

Yeah, I saw the other thread. An RV heat pump is another perhaps nice to have feature that was easy for me to decline. I don't remember if it was even offered when I ordered my HH in early '07. I rejected it if it was available and would have even if it was not.

I'm conservative and old-fashioned. Fancy frills are always easy for me to forego. I will pay extra for practical and necessary options but perhaps I'm just too cheap. I never purchase the newer high-tech features.

 

[Wingate]

Harvey... we have been all over the map and all over the country looking at 5th wheels... I can honestly Im absolutely sick of walking in campers. Found a 13 model Pinnacle 36KPTS loaded out, the money is better than right, but just cannot get past the bathroom... . Although, if they continue to drop the price, I may learn to live with it!!!!. .
Our actual 1st choice has been narrowed down to a Premier 351MKTS... Of course, with the Premier, you have to option up to get it gussied up like momma wants it. . but still almost 7K below the Pinnacle when its all in all done. . and the bathroom is a better layout for us.
Since we are gonna have to order one, we will be able to spec it item by item for our exact needs. Down side is we wont see it until about May! I have about talked myself out of the heat pump option. I just do not believe they have been on the market long enough for me to feel comfortable with them.

 

[HBarlow]

You should be able to do a lot of your shopping on manufacturer's and dealer's websites and then, once you find units you think you're interested in, go look at them.

Pharr RV in Lubbock sells Jaycos but I don't have any idea what they have in stock and wouldn't recommend buying from them. They wouldn't negotiate like I wanted when I was ready to buy a HitchHiker. I got on the phone and started calling NuWa dealers closest to the factory then working out farther away. The second one I called told me sure, I'll sell you one at $2000 over invoice. I went to his store up in Kansas a week later and filled out the dealer order form myself and handed him a $5000 check to order it. Some dealers want to sell units, some want to keep them.

 

[Terry Jay]

We got a 5th with the six point self level. It did not work reliably in self-level, but the manual workaround options produced decent results. Also, it needs to be unhooked from the truck to work in self-level, and we remain hooked up for overnight stops while traveling. Again, the manual options worked fine for a level and solid unit. Dealer later replaced the circuit board and all is well. The hydraulic jacks are well worth it in terms of stability and a solid and anchored trailer. The hydraulic jacks also offer a way raise one side or the other. We use supplemental wood blocks under the pads. Lesson: Ran the jacks down to level with no blocks and the hydraulics just about ran out of juice before the slides were out.

A hydraulic system will lift the entire trailer, have not seen an electric system that would do that. The Hydraulic systems draw HUGE amount of electric power. Always be plugged in when you run them. You may want added batteries if you need to run them between full hook-ups, or have a small generator for 'just in case'.

We spent the money for the 17. 5" tires and wheels, and for the Hydraulic brakes and Mor-Ryde IS rubber suspension, and are very happy having done so. Put a bit over 11,000 miles on the 15,000lb 40' 5th last year, and expect another 6,000 miles or more this year.

If you stay with electric brakes, get the wires out of the axle tubes and routed into the bottom floor cover or behind the axle. Wires in tubes vibrate, wear off the insulation, and go to ground. Estimated life of wire in axle tubes is under 10,000 miles.

Have Phun

 

[Wingate]

Good thinking on the fridge. We have the four door fridge and they are a royal pain in the ***.

Exactly what is it about the double door fridge that you dont like???

 

[Slow Six]

Exactly what is it about the double door fridge that you dont like???

There seems to be a lot more trouble with them. When the outdoor temps get into the high 80s the fridge temps will go as high as 43* and stay there for quite awhile and than return to normal. Another thing we don't like is there is no auto defrost and it frosts up often. I am looking to get a hard wire fan for the interior to help with this. We like the large fridge for the extra space as we full time. Ours is a Dometic which I think is a lot of the problem.

 

[Wingate]

I believe the Jaycos have a Norcold refers. Wonder if that will make a difference? Our TT has a Norcold 8cu ft, and to date, has been absolutely flawless in 100+ degree summers. .

 

[HBarlow]

I think the ordinary 8 cf refrigerator in my HitchHiker is a Norcold unit. It has worked great. Large double door refrigerators are another RV option I skipped. Wal-Mart Supercenters or ordinary grocery stores are usually not too far away.

 

[Wingate]

You should be able to do a lot of your shopping on manufacturer's and dealer's websites and then, once you find units you think you're interested in, go look at them.

Pharr RV in Lubbock sells Jaycos but I don't have any idea what they have in stock and wouldn't recommend buying from them. .

Harvey, thats what we have been doing for over two months... Website searches, phone calls, quotes, ... Finally got in touch with a Jayco dealership in Eastern Louisiana that has been the greatest!. They have a basic website but do not list inventory. Made a trip over there the other evening, small family owned and employed, exclusive Jayco dealership. Have decided we will buy from him, just trying to nail down the specific model and options. . Hence all the questions to you guys!.

 

[Newt]

For some reason, the double door 12 CF RV fridges seem to have more problems than the smaller ones.

Look at the Norcold recall list, it lists 12xx models.

Newt

 

[Cummins12V98]

I like the single door frig because it is much more reliable. Been full timing for 1. 5 yrs and never have wished for more room. If needed we have a cooler and stand alone ice maker.



Our 07. 5 Mobile Suites has the 4 point hydraulic leveling legs. It takes me no more than 5 minutes to have it perfectly level after unhooking. I can use the extra money for other things!



The RV is also very stable.



So for me I like what I have and don't have any of the problems that some have had.



I like simple but effective products that if need I can repair my self if needed.

 

[Wertles]

We have a family of 6 so the big fridge was a necessity for us. It has been flawless since day one. No problems at all.

 

[jelag]

I don't have the auto level and would like to have it... and will have it on my next unit... I usually do most of my own work... A buddy of mine with a self level system has a bad valve and he has one corner of his unit that sags over 36-48 hours... its a toss up for me... . but a feature I'd like to have... and I'd prefer hydraulic...



I have a local RV shop who scraps damaged units... I'd buy used if the price is right..... mind you I'm talking about the parts to install a self level device on my RV... not a RV... .