Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod
Page 2 of 2 • Share •
Page 2 of 2 • 
1, 2
Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod
by Mopar_Earl on 4/20/2011, 7:01 pm
First topic message reminder :
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
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
Last edited by Mopar_Earl on 4/23/2011, 8:47 pm; edited 1 time in total
Mopar_Earl- Wildcat resident guru
- Number of posts: 1375
Registration date: 2008-08-18
Age: 34
Location: Saint Thomas, PA 17252 
Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod
by Mopar_Earl on 10/15/2011, 6:10 am
Portagie1968 wrote: Still interesting. I have to raise mine 2 feet in some places. Interesting to see if they pivot that much.
Are you getting the system installed?
Earl
Mopar_Earl- Wildcat resident guru
- Number of posts: 1375
Registration date: 2008-08-18
Age: 34
Location: Saint Thomas, PA 17252 -
Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod
by Mopar_Earl on 10/15/2011, 6:21 am
Portagie1968 wrote: Still interesting. I have to raise mine 2 feet in some places. Interesting to see if they pivot that much.
On the 6 point, the rear jacks are plumbed in pairs on the left and right. So as you raise or lower the front, the fluid can run from mated jack to its mated jack. The jacks carry the weight equally as the trailer moves. So the jacks move like a seesaw as well. Also the system has safeties and won't put the frame into any angles that cause cause frame issues. Mine is a 4 point, so I drop the rear before raising the front.
Earl
Mopar_Earl- Wildcat resident guru
- Number of posts: 1375
Registration date: 2008-08-18
Age: 34
Location: Saint Thomas, PA 17252 -
Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod
by Portagie1968 on 10/15/2011, 11:24 am
Portagie1968- Wildcat resident guru
- Number of posts: 2260
Registration date: 2010-04-05
Age: 62
Location: Hughson, CA -
Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod
by John&ConnieNeeley on 10/16/2011, 3:59 am
Wildcat Chris wrote:John, did Lippert call you yet? Let me know!
Yes, Chris they did and got some interesting info, that seems that isnt in the manual about those LED's.
John&ConnieNeeley- Member
- Number of posts: 224
Registration date: 2011-04-17
Age: 70
Location: Tulare, CA -
Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod
by Portagie1968 on 10/16/2011, 12:59 pm
Mopar_Earl wrote:Portagie1968 wrote: Still interesting. I have to raise mine 2 feet in some places. Interesting to see if they pivot that much.
On the 6 point, the rear jacks are plumbed in pairs on the left and right. So as you raise or lower the front, the fluid can run from mated jack to its mated jack. The jacks carry the weight equally as the trailer moves. So the jacks move like a seesaw as well. Also the system has safeties and won't put the frame into any angles that cause cause frame issues. Mine is a 4 point, so I drop the rear before raising the front.
Earl
That is fine Earl but the video tell you, when you are hooking up, to raise the front before raising the other jacks.
Portagie1968- Wildcat resident guru
- Number of posts: 2260
Registration date: 2010-04-05
Age: 62
Location: Hughson, CA -
Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod
by Portagie1968 on 10/16/2011, 1:00 pm
Mopar_Earl wrote:Portagie1968 wrote: Still interesting. I have to raise mine 2 feet in some places. Interesting to see if they pivot that much.
Are you getting the system installed?
Earl
Nope. Can not afford it and I had hyd jacks before and they almost but me in the hospital.
Portagie1968- Wildcat resident guru
- Number of posts: 2260
Registration date: 2010-04-05
Age: 62
Location: Hughson, CA -
Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod
by Mopar_Earl on 10/16/2011, 7:46 pm
Portagie1968 wrote:Mopar_Earl wrote:Portagie1968 wrote: Still interesting. I have to raise mine 2 feet in some places. Interesting to see if they pivot that much.
On the 6 point, the rear jacks are plumbed in pairs on the left and right. So as you raise or lower the front, the fluid can run from mated jack to its mated jack. The jacks carry the weight equally as the trailer moves. So the jacks move like a seesaw as well. Also the system has safeties and won't put the frame into any angles that cause cause frame issues. Mine is a 4 point, so I drop the rear before raising the front.
Earl
That is fine Earl but the video tell you, when you are hooking up, to raise the front before raising the other jacks.
You don't have to lower the rear jacks on the 6-point when you raise the front. Only on the 4-point.
Earl
Mopar_Earl- Wildcat resident guru
- Number of posts: 1375
Registration date: 2008-08-18
Age: 34
Location: Saint Thomas, PA 17252 -
Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod
by Mopar_Earl on 10/16/2011, 7:47 pm
Portagie1968 wrote:Mopar_Earl wrote:Portagie1968 wrote: Still interesting. I have to raise mine 2 feet in some places. Interesting to see if they pivot that much.
Are you getting the system installed?
Earl
Nope. Can not afford it and I had hyd jacks before and they almost but me in the hospital.
I see, I figured with all your questions you were looking to add the system.
Earl
Mopar_Earl- Wildcat resident guru
- Number of posts: 1375
Registration date: 2008-08-18
Age: 34
Location: Saint Thomas, PA 17252 -
Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod
by Portagie1968 on 10/17/2011, 4:06 am
Mopar_Earl wrote:Portagie1968 wrote:Mopar_Earl wrote:Portagie1968 wrote: Still interesting. I have to raise mine 2 feet in some places. Interesting to see if they pivot that much.
On the 6 point, the rear jacks are plumbed in pairs on the left and right. So as you raise or lower the front, the fluid can run from mated jack to its mated jack. The jacks carry the weight equally as the trailer moves. So the jacks move like a seesaw as well. Also the system has safeties and won't put the frame into any angles that cause cause frame issues. Mine is a 4 point, so I drop the rear before raising the front.
Earl
That is fine Earl but the video tell you, when you are hooking up, to raise the front before raising the other jacks.
You don't have to lower the rear jacks on the 6-point when you raise the front. Only on the 4-point.
Earl
Earl - We still on different pages. You get to an RV Park, lower the front jacks, raise the front of the trailer, unhook the trailer (the system remembers where the trailer is at.), drive the truck away, and then come back and level the trailer. All 6 jacks are now down and supposedly the trailer is level. You stay a week and then decide to go home. According to the video you push 2 buttons and the trailer automatically returns to the hook up position. If the front of the trailer has to go up 2 or 3 feet I see bent jacks.
Portagie1968- Wildcat resident guru
- Number of posts: 2260
Registration date: 2010-04-05
Age: 62
Location: Hughson, CA -
Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod
by Mopar_Earl on 10/17/2011, 7:07 am
If your not installing the system, why does it matter? As I said before, the rear jacks are plumbed in pairs and they will equalize as the front is lowered or raised. If you raise the front the jacks in front of the front axle loose weight so they loose hydro pressure. As the front moves more the rear jacks hydro pressure flows to the jacks in front of the axle so the rear actually lowers as the front comes up. Also the jack feet can pivot. Also the trailer pivots on the wheels. I can't explain it any better than that. The system is well designed and once you understand the system, its so simple and makes you wonder why it wasn't on the market years ago.
Earl
Earl
Mopar_Earl- Wildcat resident guru
- Number of posts: 1375
Registration date: 2008-08-18
Age: 34
Location: Saint Thomas, PA 17252 -
Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod
by Scruffy and Tater on 10/17/2011, 7:15 am
Earl,
I appreciate your explanation. Even I can understand. If (or maybe I should say when) we get the self-levelers, it will be based on the info you furnished here. Thanks.
Tater
I appreciate your explanation. Even I can understand. If (or maybe I should say when) we get the self-levelers, it will be based on the info you furnished here. Thanks.
Tater
_________________
Best Regards, Scruffy and Tater
Photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/ScruffyAndTater
2007 29rlbs -- 2006 F250 diesel 4-door -- Super-glide hitch
Our first trailer - a used Fleetwing - photo taken in early 70's
Scruffy and Tater- Wildcat resident guru
- Number of posts: 3867
Registration date: 2008-04-05
Location: Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas -
Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod
by Mopar_Earl on 10/17/2011, 9:57 am
Scruffy and Tater wrote:Earl,
I appreciate your explanation. Even I can understand. If (or maybe I should say when) we get the self-levelers, it will be based on the info you furnished here. Thanks.
Tater
Thanks Tater. Its all in the flow of the hydro fluid between certain jacks. Like when paired rear jacks on the left lift the trailer the fluid in the landing gear equalizes and allows the front to move with the trailer. That's why hydraulic landing gear applies equal force under load at all times since they are connected and the fluid is equal between the two. I can see it in my head but putting it text for all to understand isn't easy.
Earl
Mopar_Earl- Wildcat resident guru
- Number of posts: 1375
Registration date: 2008-08-18
Age: 34
Location: Saint Thomas, PA 17252 -
Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod
by Portagie1968 on 10/17/2011, 12:54 pm
Now that last post finally makes since. Thank you for the explanation. Does not matter if I will not buy them until you explained the rear will go down when the front goes up all I could see was bent jacks. That was the first time you said that. Some of us are little slow and getting sarcastic does not work Explaining it until we under stand like you did is much better.
Portagie1968- Wildcat resident guru
- Number of posts: 2260
Registration date: 2010-04-05
Age: 62
Location: Hughson, CA -
Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod
by Mopar_Earl on 10/17/2011, 2:26 pm
Portagie1968 wrote: Now that last post finally makes since. Thank you for the explanation. Does not matter if I will not buy them until you explained the rear will go down when the front goes up all I could see was bent jacks. That was the first time you said that. Some of us are little slow and getting sarcastic does not work Explaining it until we under stand like you did is much better.
Glad you understand. My earlier post said the same thing, just in different words. I was not sarcastic.
Earl
Mopar_Earl- Wildcat resident guru
- Number of posts: 1375
Registration date: 2008-08-18
Age: 34
Location: Saint Thomas, PA 17252 -
Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod
by Portagie1968 on 10/18/2011, 4:34 am
Never said you were sarcastic. Just nice to see the explanation without it. I know it can be exasperating sometimes when the light can not be seen. DIFFERENT WORDS make a big difference trust me. You went from side to side to front to back. All I needed to see the light. Thank you
Portagie1968- Wildcat resident guru
- Number of posts: 2260
Registration date: 2010-04-05
Age: 62
Location: Hughson, CA -
Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod
by Wildcat Chris on 10/24/2011, 9:29 am
Mopar_Earl wrote:The system is well designed and once you understand the system, its so simple and makes you wonder why it wasn't on the market years ago.
Exactly! Thanks for bringing your 'cat by the factory today, Earl -- we got to see the 4-point system in action. It was great to put a face with the name. Hope your travels back are safe!
Wildcat Chris- Sr Member
- Number of posts: 323
Registration date: 2010-01-12
Location: Elkhart, IN -
Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod
by Wildcat Chris on 10/24/2011, 10:19 am
John&ConnieNeeley wrote:Wildcat Chris wrote:John, did Lippert call you yet? Let me know!
Yes, Chris they did and got some interesting info, that seems that isnt in the manual about those LED's.
Glad they got a hold of you John. Please let me know if I can assist any further!
Wildcat Chris- Sr Member
- Number of posts: 323
Registration date: 2010-01-12
Location: Elkhart, IN -
Re: Aftermarket Lippert Level-up Automatic Leveling system Upgrade/Mod
by Mopar_Earl on 10/25/2011, 1:07 pm
Wildcat Chris wrote:Mopar_Earl wrote:The system is well designed and once you understand the system, its so simple and makes you wonder why it wasn't on the market years ago.
Exactly! Thanks for bringing your 'cat by the factory today, Earl -- we got to see the 4-point system in action. It was great to put a face with the name. Hope your travels back are safe!
Thanks for having me and the tour. I hope the 4-point shows up as an oem option for the smaller units. Everybody should have the option of level-up instead of just the big trailers.
It was cool seeing my cat parked where she was born. Glad you noticed my mods in the front bay.
Earl
Mopar_Earl- Wildcat resident guru
- Number of posts: 1375
Registration date: 2008-08-18
Age: 34
Location: Saint Thomas, PA 17252 -
Page 2 of 2 • 1, 2
Page 2 of 2
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum