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maxmorrow · 04-29-2006, 11:39 AM

Just wanted to know if anyone had made their own hydraulic levelers.

"007" · 04-29-2006, 12:06 PM

maxmorrow welcome to irv2

Thats one thing I have never done me thinks it would be somewhat messy. But hold on someone may pop in here and give you the info your looking for. What are the levelers going to used with

While you are waiting take a look around the forums and enjoy.

"007"

maxmorrow · 05-01-2006, 01:39 PM

It would be on a 1986 Fleetwood Southwind 33ft. I have the cylinders,pump, and valves all I have to get is the lines and make brackets. Just wanted to know what problems anyone else ran into doing this.

charliez · 05-01-2006, 05:24 PM

Don't know yet if anyone has done this but it's an interesting idea. Levelers are expensive, yet all they are, are cylinders, valves, lines, ans a pump. If you've got double acting cylinders, I would think they would be better than the kits. You could fine tune them up or down. The kits are single action and use springs for returns.

Although the advantage for single, is if the system fails, you can always raise them. I know someone that had this happen. They were able yo lift them and get it in for a new hose.

You could still use double, but add springs so you can alway get it back on the road.

maxmorrow · 05-01-2006, 06:27 PM

I just bought a manual valve setup that has a electric switch that activates when valves are operated. Thought this would be good to turn pump on and off by way of solenoid. Will not be trying to lift RV off ground really but just to level and take the rocking out. I expect that if I had to buy everything it would cost around 700 to 800 dolars but I had most of what I need already. I will have to make brackets but shouldn't be that hard. Just like the challenge I guess.

Dsouthw524 · 05-02-2006, 03:26 AM

When yoou consider installing the home made rig you better find out where the frame manufacturer says to place them. HWH requires the instalation be put only in the recommended spots. Also they will only allow two jacks to activate at one time to avoid twisting the frame. This is a problem with some systems. Doors don't open and windows pop out and etc.

skitime · 05-02-2006, 03:21 PM

I have some awesome hydraulic levers that have not been in production for about 20 years. They were made by Holloway Mfg. Corp. I have had these for 20 years and two motorhomes. They are electric over hydraulic. They would be fairly simple to build. The design uses electric/hydraulic pumps uses on boats to trim or tilt the boat motor. Contols are just electric switches for each corner. You just run heavy 12 volt lines to each pump. That is a lot easier than a fully hydraulic system. These can easily lift the motorhome off the ground if I want to. They are hydraulicly powered up and down unlike the spring return system of HWH which can cause problems if you catch a root or deep mud.

charliez · 05-03-2006, 08:58 AM

Quote:

They are hydraulicly powered up and down unlike the spring return system of HWH which can cause problems if you catch a root or deep mud.

But if YOU ever have one fail, your stuck with a leg that won't lift. It's best if you have your type, with the springs too, so you know they will always come up.

skitime · 05-03-2006, 10:18 AM

These have a drive off feature which allows them to fold over if there was a problem. Its hard to describe but works.

bldrbob · 05-05-2006, 03:30 AM

I had a solenoid fail and the jack would not go up.When I figured out the problem I moved a good coil to the bad valve and raised the leg.The manufactureer wanted to sell me a complete valve for $160.I went on line and found a replacement coil for $15.
BOB