Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

by Mopar_Earl on 4/20/2011, 7:01 pm

If you have any questions, ask away! This system isn't for everybody and not everybody can afford it but it's sweet as poop! If you're buying new, it's a must have option and a lot cheaper as a OEM option.

Wanted to share about my Level-up system install. The Level-up is normally a 6-leg system including the landing gear. Jacks are placed in front of and behind the rear axles and work with the landing gear to level the trailer side to side and front to back.

The kit consisted of round pin less landing gear, hydro pump, 6 jacks, hoses, hardware, mounting brackets, manifolds, valves, electronics and etc. The only aftermarket installs are done @ Trailair in Goshen, IN. This kit installed normally costs $5169.30 out the door. (My kit out the door was $4641.00 with the $1210.00 upgraded landing gear, see below for more info)

My unit is the smallest trailer they installed the aftermarket kit on. They had an engineer with Lippert come in and take measurements and than he did a computer mock-up to see if all 6 jacks were needed on such a short and light trailer. The frame tests came back ok and they said it would be a waste of time and money to put all 6 jacks on and that I'd only need 4. Also if I wanted to add the 2 jacks in front of the tires, they'd have to mount them inside the frame rail due to the entry door steps in the way. So since it would be cheaper and the engineer said it was ok, I said sure. With the money I saved, I upgraded from the round pin less landing gear in the kit to aluminum pin less landing gear. The price for the 4 jack system with upgraded landing gear was $4641.00 out the door. So 528 bucks cheaper WITH the upgraded landing gear. The upgraded landing gear were $1210.00 alone.

They removed the OEM pinned hydraulic landing gear and installed aluminum pin less landing gear on angles to make it more stable. I believe they said 5 degs. Anyways I'm glad I went with the upgraded landing gear and got away from the tube in a tube slop that the round landing gear would of had.

Next they welded jack brackets to the frame behind the rear axles and mounted the jacks and plumb them.

Next they installed the new bigger, better and larger fluid tank hydro pump. Also they mounted manifolds for the pressure and return sides as well as valves.

Next came testing (remember, this is the smallest unit they ever did) and it took lots of time with the engineer and installers. With the 2 less jacks and the light weight of the trailer, the rear jacks were operating too fast and the electronics would over shoot. So they added the red restricted blocks to slow down the flow to the rear jacks and than the system worked perfectly.

Also with the money I saved, I had them install a wet bolt kit, raise my trailer to the bottom hanger holes and install new correct size and rated Trailair Equa-Flex equalizers.

Trailair people were great as well as Robert (Bob) Tiedge with Lippert. Bob even gave me a high 5 when the system worked correctly. Bob even gave me a sweet tour of Lippert's main campus which I posted.

Note-The landing gear jacks and rear leveling jacks have 9" foot pads.

Below is a pic of the new aluminum 18K landing gear. They have special coating on the rods so no rusting and no spraying them down to prevent rusting! Money well spent!

Here's a pic showing the angle of the landing gear to make the camper more stable. Talk about night and day from the old tube in a tube in a tube pinned OEM landing gear. Nothing here but the hydro cylinder so nothing to have slop and than add the angles. First night I slept in the trailer, it was like wow. The movement was cut at least in half and I didn't even have the rear stabilizers down. No more pins to adjust and guess if too short or too long.

Here's a pic of the road side rear 8K hydro jack and frame bracket. The curb side is also in the pic. Also with special coating on the rods so they don't rust and no longer require spraying them with lube to prevent rusting.

Here's a pic of the new hydro pump, pressure manifold, return manifold, valves and pressure sensor.

Here's a pic of the control panel. You control everything from here. You can auto level by pushing one button or you can level the trailer manually as well. Panel tells you degs from level side to side and front to back. Also tells you battery voltage.

Here's a pic of it level and no boards. This is at my house and requires two 2x10 boards under the wheels to be close to level. It's hard to see but the wheels are off the ground a good bit. The camper is stable even with the road side wheels in the air! I think the angled landing gear comes in here big time.

Earl

by KHUBER on 4/20/2011, 11:18 pm

Nice write up Earl. Congrats on the new system.
Laughing

KH

by shooter on 4/21/2011, 12:23 am

Very nice. Thanks for sharing and explaining.

by kwf904 on 4/21/2011, 1:39 am

Very nice!!

by Portagie1968 on 4/21/2011, 4:50 am

If memory serves me correct talked with Bob long time ago. Great guy.

Would this system fit on a trailer with a generator installed?

Do U have to use the rear stabilizers at all?

by oldelmer1 on 4/21/2011, 8:29 am

Thanks Earl for doing this write up, lots of folks on the Montana forum have the level up and they absolutely love it.

Montana has a rally in Goshen every year in September, and last year level up was there and they were offering the whole deal for $3000 dollars. Lots of folks had it install and they all really love it.

by Portagie1968 on 4/21/2011, 9:50 am

by Mopar_Earl on 4/21/2011, 11:39 am

Portagie1968 wrote:
Would this system fit on a trailer with a generator installed?

Do U have to use the rear stabilizers at all?

I'm sure they can fit the system on just about any 5th wheel.

I didn't the one night I slept in it. I haven't went camping yet so I can't say for sure. Since the rear stab jacks are electic and doesn't require any work, I'd probably use the rear stab jacks all the time. I'm sure if you had all the wheels off the ground and or the jacks fully extended, you'd probably need to use the rear jacks.

You can raise all 4 wheels off the ground. So will come in handy for wheel bearing repacks and such.

Earl

by Portagie1968 on 4/21/2011, 1:14 pm

That is great. Thank you.

by Tracker16 on 4/21/2011, 2:24 pm

All I can say is, I'm Greenwithenvy

Great pics and info. Earl.

by TC on 4/21/2011, 3:05 pm

Very sweet Earl!! worthy

Is it safe to assume these make the JTs and their counterpart redundant?

TC

by ScottandGrace on 4/21/2011, 3:32 pm

I think thats just about the slickest mod I've seen here!
Dang, now I'm totally jealous. lol!

by bsmall2800 on 4/21/2011, 3:38 pm

Way to go Earl, I love it.... Seriously your'e going to have to stop it right now. your'e killing me

by Portagie1968 on 4/23/2011, 4:36 am

MOPAR-EARL - A little confused. All the videos I see the trailer levels it self while it is still hooked to the TV. I watch one where it almost lifted the truck enough to change the tire. What is the process of unhooking. The front jacks need to be down all the way to lift trailer to unhook but they never show that.

by Mopar_Earl on 4/23/2011, 2:45 pm

Portagie1968 wrote:MOPAR-EARL - A little confused. All the videos I see the trailer levels it self while it is still hooked to the TV. I watch one where it almost lifted the truck enough to change the tire. What is the process of unhooking. The front jacks need to be down all the way to lift trailer to unhook but they never show that.

None of Lippert's Level-up videos are real world stuff. Just marketing.

If you try to auto level while on the truck, it won't level. The system drops the front below level than brings it back up before it'll auto level, so if hitched to the truck, it won't be able to drop the front below level to start the auto leveling. I think they did this to keep people from doing dumb things.

You unhook just like normal than push the auto level button and it drops the front below level, than raises it to close to level, than road side than curb side than front to back again and it's done.

I will try to shoot a video of the trailer leveling itself when the weather allows and I have the time. But I don't know if I can post a video on this forum though. Also the video maybe too large to upload. But I'll try.

Earl

by Mopar_Earl on 4/23/2011, 2:50 pm

TC wrote:Very sweet Earl!!

Is it safe to assume these make the JTs and their counterpart redundant?

TC

Can't say for sure as JT's counterpart says their kit fits Level-up so you can still install them. Once I get some real world camping in I'll let you know. So far I'd say yes, they would be redundant. Right now my road side wheels are in the air and my trailer was just as stable as before and I lower the rear stab jacks and it's even more stable than before. If I had the two other jacks in front of the wheels, it'd probably never need JT's or the rear stab jacks. I'm ready to get some State Park camping in and see how well the system works. State Park sites are never ever level or even close to level.

Earl

by Mopar_Earl on 4/23/2011, 2:53 pm

oldelmer1 wrote:Thanks Earl for doing this write up, lots of folks on the Montana forum have the level up and they absolutely love it.

Montana has a rally in Goshen every year in September, and last year level up was there and they were offering the whole deal for $3000 dollars. Lots of folks had it install and they all really love it.

The kits can be cheaper depending on what you already have. If you have the correct hydro pump, you'll save money. Also if you have pin less hyd landing gear you save money. Wildcat's have none of the required items so it's a full install.

Earl

by BobnPi on 4/23/2011, 3:16 pm

by Portagie1968 on 4/25/2011, 4:59 am

Earl - Your explanation makes more sense. I notice on the wildcats they do not have the same front landing gear as yours. Yours appears to be a much better quality. Thank you for clearing up the confusion.

by Wildcat Chris on 10/11/2011, 12:23 pm

Lippert Components just posted an instructional video for the Level Up 6-Point Auto-Leveling System on YouTube and I thought it would be helpful for forum members here who have it on their Wildcats or are looking at this upgrade. You can see it here:
Level Up Operational Video by Lippert Components - YouTube

by Portagie1968 on 10/12/2011, 4:39 am

Interesting. Finally show the correct way to unhook the trailer. Now my very big question. Front jacks are down and the 4 other jacks are down, U get ready to hook up the trailer, front is lower than truck, U push the 2 buttons so the front goes back to the raised position to hook up, the other jacks are down, so how do you keep from bending a frame or breaking a jack by doing that?

by John&ConnieNeeley on 10/12/2011, 11:07 am

FYI - If you ever go to the control panel, and it wont turn on, be advised it is more likely a defective panel, which will need to be replaced. Mine failed on after I got home from that long trip this summer, and wouldnt turn on after pushing the ON/OFF button in the upper right corner. This switch is embedded into the panel itself, and cant be replaced, but requires a whole new panel. I hope this never fails again, especially if not attached to the TV, as will be a pain to get back loaded, running 3 wires with just 2 hands. Infact, I am thinking of making up a special jumper cable just for such a problem, and using alligator clips to attach to the connectors on the pump valve.

I still am having a problem with it, with 1 or 2 of the LED lamps showing activity when they shouldnt...probably another problem will appear soon?

by Mopar_Earl on 10/12/2011, 12:22 pm

My aftermarket system is working great since installed in April this year. I've used it at least 24 times in auto and a few in manual and no issues todate. Its impressed me many times that it can level itself on such bad way off level sites. Money well spent! Best mod I've ever done on any of my trailers or vehicles.

Earl

by Wildcat Chris on 10/13/2011, 2:17 am

John&ConnieNeeley wrote:I still am having a problem with it, with 1 or 2 of the LED lamps showing activity when they shouldnt...probably another problem will appear soon?

Please send me your contact information via PM so I can get you some help!

by Portagie1968 on 10/13/2011, 5:00 am

Still wondering about bent jacks if I follow the hook up procedure.

by Wildcat Chris on 10/14/2011, 10:01 am

John, did Lippert call you yet? Let me know!

by Wildcat Chris on 10/14/2011, 10:09 am

Portagie1968 wrote: Still wondering about bent jacks if I follow the hook up procedure.

I'm not sure I understand your question. The 6 jacks work together to level the unit -- they all deploy and do slight adjustments over a 1-2 minute period depending on the type of terrain you're camping on. I've seen the jacks extended very far and barely at all. Each of them is independent of the others, but work in unison to get to level. When leaving the camp site, the Level Up system can set the fifth wheel's hitch back to the exact angle/height of when you unhitched so you can easily hook up again. There's no point of the procedure that the full weight of the trailer is on any single jack, so bending them would be unlikely if not misused...

Let me know if you need more info. Remember that this is the same leveling system being used on much heavier RVs than the Wildcat -- in fact, we're probably the lightest RV this system is being used on!

by Portagie1968 on 10/14/2011, 11:27 am

Here is my post that was ignored.

Interesting. Finally show the correct way to unhook the trailer. Now my very big question. Front jacks are down and the 4 other jacks are down, U get ready to hook up the trailer, front is lower than truck, U push the 2 buttons so the front goes back to the raised position to hook up, the other jacks are down, so how do you keep from bending a frame or breaking a jack by doing that?

by Mopar_Earl on 10/14/2011, 12:46 pm

Portagie1968 wrote:Here is my post that was ignored.

Interesting. Finally show the correct way to unhook the trailer. Now my very big question. Front jacks are down and the 4 other jacks are down, U get ready to hook up the trailer, front is lower than truck, U push the 2 buttons so the front goes back to the raised position to hook up, the other jacks are down, so how do you keep from bending a frame or breaking a jack by doing that?

It pivots on the jacks. All jacks have feet pads that connect like a ball and socket. So there's room to move and pivot. Also the axle area doesn't move as much as the front and rear of the trailer does when raising the front. Kinda like a seesaw.

Earl

by Portagie1968 on 10/15/2011, 5:00 am

Still interesting. I have to raise mine 2 feet in some places. Interesting to see if they pivot that much.

Wildcat Owners from around the world. 5th wheels and TT's. A place to share your Thoughts, Mod's and Idea's.

Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod

Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod