Community Forums

rarebear.nm · 09-18-2018, 08:56 PM

Our Minnie Winnie 22R on a Ford E359 chassis did not come with leveling jacks, known issue at time. I'm looking into adding leveling jacks to this unit. The rear looks simple, but the front end does not seem so simple. Any experience or ideas?

A32Deuce · 09-18-2018, 09:08 PM

I have Equailzer on mine from their factory. I had checked with others and they gave me the run around. 12 volt pump and 2 hydraulic lines to each lift. Been on there since 2015. Open the door, hit power then auto level and go about setting up out side. The fronts are basically behind the front struts where the frame is wide and flat.

azpete · 09-19-2018, 07:45 AM

hwh, equalizer, and bigfoot all make jacks for the ford mini chassis. camping world usually has the lowest prices. cw is ok for installs.

i know that hwh makes a set of straight acting jacks, specifically for the ford mini chassis. as well as the kick down jacks.
joystick, push button manual and full automatic operation are available.

Capt Steve · 09-19-2018, 07:42 PM

If the OP really wants to add levelers to their E-350, by all means, do so but... I have to ask why? It sounds like you are searching for a solution for which there is no known problem {the government does this a lot}.

We have owned our E-350 for 5+ years and it has 52K+ miles on it. Never have I ever had to add more than two yellow Leggo blocks {$33 for a set of ten that are now over 5 years old} under one side or the other to get the coach perfectly level and this has never taken more than a minute or two.

Adding levelers adds considerable weight which comes right off of your available payload, drains your wallet by a significant factor and will ultimately be about as problematic as slides and electric steps {read this and other Forums regarding the multitude of problems that come with these systems.}

If you want them, have the money and payload to spare, by all means, go for it but I have yet to see the need. Walk around most CG's and you will find those yellow Leggo blocks under most of the auto levelers which ought to make you go hmmm, what's up with that?

Best of luck whatever you decide and...

As Always... Opinions and YMMV.

Isaac-1 · 09-19-2018, 08:05 PM

Many people put pads under their leveling jacks as a courtesy to try to prevent damage to the RV site, etc.

A32Deuce · 09-19-2018, 08:09 PM

Out here on the East Coast, auto level is very handy. We go from the shore to mountains camping over 150 nights a year. Nice being able to hit a button and be level. If you don't camp that much, save your money.

Teamfoxy · 09-20-2018, 05:59 AM

I agree with Captain Steve. The wheel base on a 22R is the same as our 324V. Most of the time we can pull a few feet one way or the other and be well within the 3 degree tolerance, usually within one degree.
This summer we traveled from Florida to IL, Niagara Falls, the Adirondacks, VT, ME, MA, PA, VA, NC with lots of mountain camping. In 10 weeks on the road, we used our Lynx block 2-3 times and in the worst case had 3 block stack under a wheel.
Its just not worth the cost, weight and having more stuff to maintain.

Take_It_Easy · 09-20-2018, 06:11 AM

I added them to an e450 and they made the unit much more stable. We did not use them for leveling but to cut down on the movement.

rarebear.nm · 09-20-2018, 09:11 AM

I did not ever say I wanted to add auto leveling jacks, just looking into it. I failed to explain what I was really thinking about are just leveling screw type jacks not electric auto jacks. On our 5th we always use lego block under the tires if needed and with the landing gear and rear stablizer jacks it comes out very level.

I agree that the auto level systems are lots of $$$$$ and dead weight.

Teamfoxy · 09-21-2018, 04:11 AM

When we had our TT, there was a lot of movement and putting down the stabilizers was a must because it moved a lot anytime someone walked around. With the motor-home, we find that, while there is movement, it is not bad enough to make me want to add stabilizers. . Mainly we notice it only when someone enters or exits the side door.

trikeleader · 09-21-2018, 12:33 PM

We have leveling jacks installed on our class "C" E450. We hadthe Big Foot system installed at the factory in south west Michigan.
We arrived from Missouri the day before theappointment and they have
Plug ins on one of their buildings for customer over night stays. They took the RV in at 8:30 in the morning and they were done at 11 am.
They went through how the system works and had us do it also.
They are very friendly and are very professional. They are running a
special right now on the system.
We are in our 70s and do not want to mess with leveling blocks. The system added 180 lbs to the
weight of the coach.
We are very happy with this transaction.

avfordguy · 10-08-2018, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rarebear.nm

I did not ever say I wanted to add auto leveling jacks, just looking into it. I failed to explain what I was really thinking about are just leveling screw type jacks not electric auto jacks. On our 5th we always use lego block under the tires if needed and with the landing gear and rear stablizer jacks it comes out very level.

I agree that the auto level systems are lots of $$$$$ and dead weight.

I have the scissor frame mounted Jack's in the rear of a 31ft tioga class c. Works well to stabilize the rig, I can level with them if less than 2inches, will be adding a pair to the front to help out , sped wrench or cordless drill for up down, works fast if you keep them lubed. Best price I have found for the front was harbour freight.
https://m.harborfreight.com/2-1-2-ha...ack-96406.html