How do you check level on your BF?

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shilohdad
Posts: 436
Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 9:58 am

Post by shilohdad »

Rolling on the floor laughing my a** off.
Joe and Lucinda
Tonto, Meadow and Shadow, the papillons
Shiloh and Morpho at Rainbow Bridge
2017 Spirit
Formerly 2006 24RB
shezonit

Getting level

Post by shezonit »

I have 2 levels in cab- one on dash and one on drivers door. When I park it for the night, I look to see how "off" I am. If its pretty close... I leave it. If it's way off, I set the brake, put it in neutral , walk back and press the "level" button. Luckily this used BF came with automatic level system. :-) I didn't really notice when I was buying it, and had no idea what a pricey option it is.
That said, I don't use them if I am "stealth" parking. Refrig is no problem because its residential.
shezonit

OHHHHH noooo

Post by shezonit »

So my levelers worked when i bought the rig last may. Used them on the way back north. Then they didn't work. Mechanic friend replaced some dicey wiring and they worked. Then I accidentally drove 10 miles on a dirt road last month.
Now they don't work. Mechanic friend says solenoid. Paid $50. for Rv specialist diagnosis. He says entire leveller motor needs replacing... Nearly $1000.
Mechanic friend says probably the solenoid is keeping the motor from working.... WWYD?? ( what would you do? Older rig, no warranty. Nice option,though)
mockturtle

Post by mockturtle »

I wouldn't.
shezonit

Post by shezonit »

Wouldn't what?
Pay $1000. To fix it? Or wouldn't bother at all?
I'm hoping some of these mechanically inclined guys on here will weigh in with experience or suggestions re go for the small fix ( solenoid) , the big fix (motor) or don't bother. I do miss the levellers. HWH is still in business and sells parts.,
mockturtle

Post by mockturtle »

I wouldn't bother to have it fixed.
shezonit

Post by shezonit »

It's a puzzle.... If they aren't worked when I bought the rig, I wouldn't have known what I am now missing.... A level, and more important, a stable rig.
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shilohdad
Posts: 436
Joined: Tue May 23, 2006 9:58 am

Post by shilohdad »

If you decide to NOT fix it, look into having the levelers removed. They would just be adding unnecessary weight.
Joe and Lucinda
Tonto, Meadow and Shadow, the papillons
Shiloh and Morpho at Rainbow Bridge
2017 Spirit
Formerly 2006 24RB
shezonit

Post by shezonit »

Good point, BUT. This rig also came with a braking system for towing a car. It takes up space.... But Im loathe to remove it since I "might" tow a car.

I'm gonna keep checking on fixing the levellers. I will call HWH myself.
I would pay up to a certain $ to have them working.....
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Mike Jean Bandfield
Posts: 513
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2005 3:43 pm

Re: OHHHHH noooo

Post by Mike Jean Bandfield »

shezonit wrote: ...Mechanic friend replaced some dicey wiring and they worked. ...Now they don't work. Mechanic friend says solenoid.
Repairing the solenoid might be as easy as cleaning and lubricating the mechanism. Replacing the solenoid should only cost a few dollars.
Paid $50. for Rv specialist diagnosis. He says entire leveller motor needs replacing... Nearly $1000.
So consider the possibility the RV specialist :?: doesn't really have a clue so his hedge is this: Replace ALL the possible contributing parts, make a heady profit and save a lot of time chasing down intermittent problems. Works for him - and you pay for his laziness. To be fair - these guys have also learned that trying to be frugal can result in an angry customer when they have have to come back for additional repairs that were not found in the first visit. IMO, this is usually poor communications.

Mechanic friend says probably the solenoid is keeping the motor from working.... WWYD?? ( what would you do? Older rig, no warranty. Nice option,though)
Pay your mechanic friend for a more thorough diagnostic (i.e., bypass the solenoid to check out the operation and condition of the motor.) (I've not seen your system but my experience and intuition tell me this should be a fairly simple diagnostic procedure.) After his diagnosis, discuss with him the next steps and who should do the work:
1. Repair/replace solenoid.
2. Repair replace motor.
3. Remove and trash/sell system/components.
4. Ask him if, in his opinion, your system is failing due to a shoddy installation that needs an overhaul, worn and weathered components that will continue to nickel and dime you, or both?

Alternatively - start with the solenoid. Have it replaced first and re-evaluate.

Automatic leveling systems are nice when they work but are known for being temperamental. Many of us who use blocks are just cheap - the rest have owned levelers in the past and have decided manual blocks are the lesser of two evils. :( Best of luck to you.
Mike & Jean
2005 26' RSS Diesel
shezonit

THANKS!

Post by shezonit »

Thank you for your thorough and thoughtful answer.
Yes, I did read some posts on HWH systems failing on new coaches, so I do understand this could be a slippery slope I don't want to start down.....

I did get the vibe from the RV " Specialist" that they would do the most $$ fix, first...

Meanwhile, I am living without them....
CHARLOTTE

Post by CHARLOTTE »

Well....as a solo senior female with a 26' RSB model... that came with levelers, I can only say.... wouldn't be without them. Those of you, mostly male that use the blocks, etc. to level your coaches usually have a partner that can assist you... but those of us that travel alone don't have that advantage. I like that I can push a button & be level & not have to worry about jumping in & out of the cab, putting the blocks up, etc. Had one leveler go bad since I've owned it.... had it replaced & never thought twice. Love my levelers along with every other upgrade I have in my BF.... Love the whole thing & haven't been sorry for any of the $$$ spent.... JMHO...
8)
shezonit

Post by shezonit »

I agree with you Charlotte. I am also solo, and don't want to be getting out and in checking level, placing blocks, etc., especially if I have arrived after dark. Also, I boondock and stealth camp a lot and wouldn't use the levellers OR blocks. ( I am amazed at how many Walmart RVers think nothing of setting up their BBQ, chairs, etc)
Since I plan to spend nearly 6 months in the BF every winter, I 'amortize' the costs of repairs, and it's "less than a car payment". I wouldn't have spent $4000. to get the levellers, but to repair them for a fraction of that......
CHARLOTTE

Post by CHARLOTTE »

I think you're making a wise choice to 'repair'.... let us know how it goes.. 8)
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Steve
Posts: 204
Joined: Sat Aug 20, 2005 11:46 am

Post by Steve »

OK, we purchased the HWH levelers with the coach in 2005, they only failed once when a switch in the control panel failed, I followed the troubleshooting manual and isolated the problem with a VOM (Volt Ohm Meter), I sent the control panel to HWH and they replaced all the switches for $65.00 and it works fine now.
There is also a large 100A fuse under the MH (drivers side for us) that supply's all power to the hydraulic pump, if this is blown then none of your jacks will work. I'm including a couple of pics to show our control panel type and a close representation for the fuse. Note that ours was NOT protected in any way underneath the coach, I added mechanical protection later.
Steve
Attachments
HWH Control Panel.jpg
HWH Control Panel.jpg (74.21 KiB) Viewed 11041 times
HWH 100A Wire Fuse.jpg
HWH 100A Wire Fuse.jpg (14.46 KiB) Viewed 11048 times
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