Community Forums

terntes · 06-22-2021, 01:44 PM

My ACE, with the Lippert leveling system jack pads, are being replace at 30k miles. I typically drive 300 - 400 miles daily on any extended trip, so I figure they have been used ? (50-75) times, I don;t know. Parking in too many unlevel sites have totally ruined them, being smashed and deformed at the point of contact between cylinder rod and jack pad. Is this common or is the Lippert a poor design?

HarryStone · 06-22-2021, 02:30 PM

First I’ve heard of this.

NXR · 06-22-2021, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terntes

My ACE, with the Lippert leveling system jack pads, are being replace at 30k miles. I typically drive 300 - 400 miles daily on any extended trip, so I figure they have been used ? (50-75) times, I don;t know. Parking in too many unlevel sites have totally ruined them, being smashed and deformed at the point of contact between cylinder rod and jack pad. Is this common or is the Lippert a poor design?

What year? Lippert did a "redesign" of at least the 9" jack feet around 2018 and they bend a lot easier. I had to have three replaced in the first month of ownership because the SnapPads would not go on.

If the jacks are put down on soft ground the piston can push the center down while the edges stay up and the jack foot becomes dished. Is that what you're seeing?

The SnapPads add 1" of thickness to the bottom and I have had no bending problems since.

Ray

terntes · 06-23-2021, 03:34 AM

My pads did exactly what you are describing, with the center crushed and deformed. They are designed to pivot somewhat for leveling, but extreme slopes put too much pressure on 'uphill' side and pushes too hard on the centers. The same thing happens in the soft soil. Do you leave the SmapPads all the time, while traveling?
Thanks!

NXR · 06-23-2021, 09:49 AM

Yes, the SnapPads stay installed 100% of the time and the manufacturer says they should not be removed and reinstalled because that may degrade their ability to stay attached.

The extra 1" on the bottom does not create a clearance problem on ours because my jacks are near the axle. As the tires go up and down the jacks track with them.

They're great for us. I rarely use blocks anymore, just on really soft or sandy soil.

Ray

153stars · 06-23-2021, 10:24 AM

Can you get your hands on a hydraulic press to straighten .Mine are Pringles chips or worse lol RVA redesigned theirs/mine to 8" 3/8" . Actually I may just weld my own big circle 3/8 feet to those. We toss/recycle tons of scrap at work.
My camping club and house are on sand, got to have large pads for sure.

terntes · 06-24-2021, 05:34 AM

Before I was 'retired' I worked in manufacturing; I could be making my own heavy duty pads, now I have to buy the things I used to make for 'free'. Get it while you can.

Thanks

WalkTheWalk · 07-22-2021, 12:39 PM

There's sandy soil here in FL, so we've been using 2"×10"×12" treated wood blocks under our 9" Lippert jack pads.

We're new to this but wanted something to prevent issues with asphalt parking.

Do we need to buy those rubber foot pads, too? They're like $50 each, whereas a 2"X10" by 8 ft treated wood board is $12?

Easy to cut that board into 4 pieces and it's not a lot of extra weight.

WalkTheWalk · 07-22-2021, 12:47 PM

If I understand your issue, it appears that earlier sells replacement feet for Lippert jacks?

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Jack-Pad.../LC324269.html

Hope this helps.

dizcom · 07-22-2021, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WalkTheWalk

There's sandy soil here in FL, so we've been using 2"×10"×12" treated wood blocks under our 9" Lippert jack pads.

We're new to this but wanted something to prevent issues with asphalt parking.

Do we need to buy those rubber foot pads, too? They're like $50 each, whereas a 2"X10" by 8 ft treated wood board is $12?

Easy to cut that board into 4 pieces and it's not a lot of extra weight.

We've used both. We like the pads because they're convenient and we have to crawl under a bit to place the wood. I can't say that one is better than the other in terms of preserving the landing gear. Both keep us from making divots with our gear. We have heard of, but haven't experienced losing an installed pad. To be fair, we've heard of and experienced leaving wood blocks behind.

mr.tommy · 07-22-2021, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WalkTheWalk

There's sandy soil here in FL, so we've been using 2"×10"×12" treated wood blocks under our 9" Lippert jack pads.

We're new to this but wanted something to prevent issues with asphalt parking.

Do we need to buy those rubber foot pads, too? They're like $50 each, whereas a 2"X10" by 8 ft treated wood board is $12?

Easy to cut that board into 4 pieces and it's not a lot of extra weight.

No you don't. We've been using wood blocks for years for this exact reason. They always go under our jack pads regardless of what's underneath the coach. Easy to place and easy to retrieve. They also eliminate the distance the jacks have to deploy which is easier on the entire system and your springs.

WalkTheWalk · 07-23-2021, 06:48 AM

Nice blocks. Great design. I like it.

carybosse · 07-23-2021, 07:48 AM

I use wood blocks always, I just hate to put the stabilizers down on the ground, whether soft or asphalt.

I have several 2x10 blocks, some are used under the tongue jack, some used under stabilizers. Always good to have in case you need to put a couple under a jack to change a tire.

I have a tonneau cover on my truck bed, and discovered that what I need has always slid to the front, next to the cab. I found an old golf club ( I don't play), and I was using the club to pull things back to the tailgate sometimes. I find I can toss my wood blocks on the ground then use my golf club to properly position them. When I load up to leave, the golf club pulls the blocks out from under the trailer. Yes, I have to bend over to pick them up, but it beats crawling under the trailer.

Golf club was free, very little weight to subtract from my payload. I have contemplated grinding on the club head a bit to get a better hook shape. Again, not a golfer, but I think this is a putter.

terntes · 07-23-2021, 08:05 AM

Original post update:
I confess, I guess my leveling jack pad destruction was mostly my fault. Too many campgrounds with large gravels and rocks and once lowering my jacks onto a concrete parking buttress. I did the wood block platform, also. i used 1X6 decking, two layers in cross linking form, with rope for retrieval and for additional height I used the plastic lightweight leveling blocks available at any camping supply store.