Community Forums

bob.keeney · 03-14-2022, 08:59 AM

I was in a tight spot on Saturday and had to go over a curb. This action bent the bracket for my rear leveler so it's at an odd angle. The pad is mangled too. The hydraulic cylinder looks okay.

When I got to the campground I was afraid to auto level for fear of further damage when it took the weight. While the site is pretty level it is pretty bouncy. Called around to a few repair places around Atlanta and their quoting 2 to 3 weeks just to get to it and we're only here for a week.

Is it possible to shut off that one leveler and use the other 5? We are in a Grand Design Solitude 378 MBS with Lippert auto leveling system. Any ideas are much appreciated!

oscarvan · 03-14-2022, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob.keeney

I was in a tight spot on Saturday and had to go over a curb. This action bent the bracket for my rear leveler so it's at an odd angle. The pad is mangled too. The hydraulic cylinder looks okay.

When I got to the campground I was afraid to auto level for fear of further damage when it took the weight. While the site is pretty level it is pretty bouncy. Called around to a few repair places around Atlanta and their quoting 2 to 3 weeks just to get to it and we're only here for a week.

Is it possible to shut off that one leveler and use the other 5? We are in a Grand Design Solitude 378 MBS with Lippert auto leveling system. Any ideas are much appreciated!

It's possible but not recommended as you can now put stresses on the frame it was not designed to take. They work in pairs for a reason. It would also require quite a bit of hydraulic plumbing, and if you are asking here that's not a DIY thing for you.

The pads are for sale and easily replaced if you have the large Allen socket it takes, (Don't recall the size) a stout breaker bar and a piece of pipe.

If you post a picture of the bracket we can decide whether some well placed force can straighten it out.

HarryStone · 03-14-2022, 09:39 AM

If it's hydraulic, I suppose you could get a plug for the hydraulic lines at the jack and cap them, which would render the jack inop, but 2 things then. You stand the chance of stressing the frame of the rig, by not having support in the correct places, (5 jacks instead of 6) (I've personally never seen a 6 jack system) and then the jack you've bypassed will be free floating, meaning, there is nothing to keep it up. So you would have to tie it up somehow.

77Travco · 03-14-2022, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob.keeney

This action bent the bracket for my rear leveler so it's at an odd angle. The pad is mangled too. The hydraulic cylinder looks okay.

Just bend it back and straighten the pad yourself. Unless something is actually broken, I wouldn't bother taking it in to an RV dealership. A welding shop maybe.

edge68474 · 03-14-2022, 09:50 AM

Yes, lets see a picture. My front ones were bent from the previous owner. I did not see it until I was getting new tires. On one side I was able to push it back into place with a buddy of mine's hand operated hydraulic thingy. I forgot what it is called. Worked for one side but not the other because there was nothing to push against. I bought new brackets for the other side.

oscarvan · 03-14-2022, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edge68474

Yes, lets see a picture. My front ones were bent from the previous owner. I did not see it until I was getting new tires. On one side I was able to push it back into place with a buddy of mine's hand operated hydraulic thingy. I forgot what it is called. Worked for one side but not the other because there was nothing to push against. I bought new brackets for the other side.

Probably one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Hydraulic-13-...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

edge68474 · 03-14-2022, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oscarvan

Probably one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/Hydraulic-13-...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Yep. Pretty similar. If I find one out there at a garage sale or something, I will buy it. Handy item to have.
Thank you for the link.

HarryStone · 03-14-2022, 08:46 PM

Harbor freight carries them also.

edge68474 · 03-15-2022, 07:11 AM

Thank you Harry. We have a HF close by.

egwilly · 03-16-2022, 04:53 PM

There should be a by-pass for the rear jacks on the control??

If so you could just block it with wood blocks for now until you get somewhere to fix it with time/parts issues.

Good luck.

JayC · 03-20-2022, 02:08 AM

I saw a similar situation a few years ago. The owners thought it was just a bent foot and leveler but they discovered that the trailer's frame was bent and the insurance company totaled the trailer.

Take a good look at your frame.

oscarvan · 03-20-2022, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by egwilly

There should be a by-pass for the rear jacks on the control??

If so you could just block it with wood blocks for now until you get somewhere to fix it with time/parts issues.

Good luck.

There "should be"? Based on what? Be the first one I heard of and I've been around. Also, operating other than in pairs can put serious strain on your frame.