4 point or 6 point leveler system

[acbaker]

I'm thinking of adding a big foot leveling system to our 34' 5th wheel. Would a 6 point system be any better on a trailer this length, I have been told a 4 point would easily handle a trailer this length, dry weight of 12000 lb.

Thanks
acbaker

[ByeTheWay]

I have had good reports from a system like JT's RV Jack Stabilizer System. With this system, 4 legs should be plenty. Here is a link: https://www.google.com/search?q=5th+...LprQX4P__4M%3A

[NW Explorers]

We have the Big Foot 4 jack system on our Lifestyle. The front jacks are rated at 17K lbs each, the rears at 12K each.

Lifestyle has now gone to the Lippert 6 jack system because they have replaced their house-built stacked box tube frame with a Lippert 12" I-beam frame. My understanding is that the I-beam frame is not strong enough to be supported by 4 jacks.

So the question you need answered is which system will do the job for you and not compromise the integrity of your frame. If it were me, I would check with the manufacturer of my unit.

Happy trails,

[JBurg]

Originally Posted by NW Explorers

We have the Big Foot 4 jack system on our Lifestyle. The front jacks are rated at 17K lbs each, the rears at 12K each.



Lifestyle has now gone to the Lippert 6 jack system because they have replaced their house-built stacked box tube frame with a Lippert 12" I-beam frame. My understanding is that the I-beam frame is not strong enough to be supported by 4 jacks.



So the question you need answered is which system will do the job for you and not compromise the integrity of your frame. If it were me, I would check with the manufacturer of my unit.



Happy trails,

That's very interesting about the frame comment. DRV is known for having the strongest frames out there, (6" box on top of 6" box on top of 3" box) but they are using the Lippert six point system as well. Though, they do use their own front jacks (they're tucked up flush with the bottom of the trailer when towing) and the rear jacks are at an angle. I'm not saying the frame strength isn't the issue or anything, merely speculating that perhaps the Lippert system is just an easier solution due to its popularity.

[ByeTheWay]

I've seen a lot of neg. posts about Lippert Slides, don't know anything about other products by Lippert.

[Whitewolf]

We have a 4pt Lippert electric system on our 5r. It's 34' and 10K. It'll lift the wheels off the ground.

[Dutch & Diana Irrgang]

I agree that it really depends on your frame. Usually 8" frames will get a 6 point system and a 10" or bigger will only need a 4 point system.
We had the Big Foot Leveling System installed on our 1996 38ft Carriage triple axle in 2010 and the 4 point system works just great for us. Our 4 point system has a capacity of 17,000 each pounds on the front jacks & 12,000 pounds each on the rear which totals 58,000 pounds of lift.
I'm not sure about the capacity on the BF 6 point system. Hugs, Di

Originally Posted by acbaker

I'm thinking of adding a big foot leveling system to our 34' 5th wheel. Would a 6 point system be any better on a trailer this length, I have been told a 4 point would easily handle a trailer this length, dry weight of 12000 lb.

Thanks
acbaker

[Gordon Dewald]

Makes me wonder about the difference between the 4 and 6 point. One of the advantages of the 6 point might be a more stable unit when set up.

[Dale & Mark Bruss]

Most stable, three jacks (milk stool) as some motorhome have. For trailers, four jacks are needed for logistical placement. If the frame isn't strong enough to be suspended from the four corners, then 6.

Lippert came out with the 6 jack system because some of their frames could not handle just 4 jacks.

Our 2006 40' Travel Supreme fifth-wheel was fine with the Big Foot system. When it was installed, the demonstration had the entire trailer with the wheels 12" off the ground.

We choose Big Foot over HWH because there was a reservoir and pump for each jack and the Big Foot uses hydraulic retract. The Big Foot jacks are all steel and American made.

[Dutch & Diana Irrgang]

The hydraulic levers, while offering some stabilization, are meant to level. We had our permanently stabilizers already on our Carriage when we bought the BF. We did try the system without tightening our 6 knobs{basically making them ineffective} and it didn't take but one walk thru the 5th wheel to have Dutch go back and tighten them up. So we ended up with the best of both worlds. Hugs, Di

Originally Posted by Gordon Dewald

Makes me wonder about the difference between the 4 and 6 point. One of the advantages of the 6 point might be a more stable unit when set up.

[mhs4771]

Just an FYI, the Level-Up System using 6 Jacks was developed, sold and installed by TrailAir before they were bought out by Lippert. I had the system retrofitted onto our 2010 Montana at the TrailAir facility and had the chance to talk to the Hydraulic Engineer who designed and developed the system.

[Army Nurse]

Our Montana High Country 340BH has just four jacks. Once it's level, it's got some bounce to it. I reduce that by adding two screw jacks snugged up under the rear bumper and a king pin jack in front. I often wonder if a six-point system would be better. I'd bet so.

[Dale & Mark Bruss]

The screw jacks are behind the rear leveling jacks and the pin support in front of the forward jacks.

On a 6-jack system, the extra jacks are forward of the rear jacks, closer to the center of the frame. Different force effects.

[Gordon Dewald]

Originally Posted by Army Nurse

Our Montana High Country 340BH has just four jacks. Once it's level, it's got some bounce to it. I reduce that by adding two screw jacks snugged up under the rear bumper and a king pin jack in front. I often wonder if a six-point system would be better. I'd bet so.

We put jacks just in front and behind the axles of our KZ 41. Make a huge difference in the bounce even with three axles. It takes the play out of the springs.