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Old 05-02-2022, 06:56 AM   #1
RKassl
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Tire Change with Hydraulic Levelup System

I know the topic of tire changing has bee talked about before on the forum but if you have not actually done it, it sounds confusing.


What I do know is you go into manual mode.


Can you do this while hooked up to the truck?


You then extend the REAR jacks, is this correct?


As an example I think the street side would be considered the left if I am not mistaken?


Do you need to put any wood under the back two jacks for additional lift?



So now in manual mode when you press left rear, the back two jacks on the left side extend and lift the trailer for the tire change?



Am I understanding the process correctly?


Any guidance would be appreciated.
 
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Old 05-02-2022, 07:31 AM   #2
1retired06
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You pretty much have it right. I would not do it with the truck hitched up. Wood blocks may be required depending on the terrain and how far your legs extend. Jackstands would be a good idea in case of pressure loss. Manufacturer does not recommend, lots of folks do what you are describing.
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Old 05-02-2022, 08:55 AM   #3
team bradfield
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Yep, unhook from truck, I do it for bearing service, tire changes, etc
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Old 05-02-2022, 11:37 AM   #4
Carl n Susan
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I have always done this unhooked from the truck. But that is because it was a planned task and it was already that way. I would not be afraid to do it while hooked up, say on the side of the road after a blowout, assuming your hitch allows side to side pivots.

One additional detail. The "brain" in the Level Up will not allow you to lift one side to an extreme. And their definition of extreme may not match yours (I know it doesn't match mine). Once one side gets to 1 Degree or so of angle, it stops movement. You then need to raise the opposing side to even it up and then you can continue to raise the first side. This usually only needs to be once when lifting (and of course, the same process when lowering).
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Old 05-02-2022, 12:54 PM   #5
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This is the Lippert brochure from 2012 for the Level-up, before the lawyers got hold of it.
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Old 05-02-2022, 01:36 PM   #6
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Robert,

Recommend you practice it once before you need to use it.
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Old 05-02-2022, 04:23 PM   #7
shovelhead86
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it will bring forth some 4 letter words but the way Carl describes works. I just did it in a parking lot with truck connected. while raising the rear of the RV you do not have to raise the truck. Maybe a little.
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Old 05-03-2022, 10:43 AM   #8
RKassl
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That's amazing, info is great!
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Old 05-03-2022, 06:24 PM   #9
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I've done it numerous times on three different Rigs with the Level-Up System.
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Old 05-08-2022, 01:41 PM   #10
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I carry 6X6X8 wood blocks used for both rough RV park sites AND as platform for raising the rig to change tire...stick 2 underneath each jack stand on the side needing the tire changed...lower the jacks 'til the wheel just clears the ground and wrench away...this on my 2013 3402RL for which I've had to do MANY times...still with no problem.
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Old 05-08-2022, 03:58 PM   #11
Waricha
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You are correct. I have done it while still hitched with no problems.
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Old 05-09-2022, 03:01 PM   #12
Rhortie1
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My sales person told me this was ok to do but the manufacturer told me absolutely do not do this ! I’ve seen my tires lift up off the ground while auto leveling though. Good luck
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Old 05-09-2022, 05:45 PM   #13
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I'm confused why anyone would would say not to do this. The leveling system is designed to carry the weight of your trailer in order to level it. On any sort of slope at all, the leveling system will pick up two tires off the ground. It may sit that way for days or even weeks while you are camping on that spot. You could service your bearings or change a tire 20 times in that period you are camping. So why would you be hesitant to use the leveling system at home in your driveway to pick up one side and change a tire in an hour or so??? I am seriously curious why it would be an issue??? If safety is a concern, you can always add a jack stand under the frame.
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Old 05-09-2022, 05:51 PM   #14
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It's a CYA (Cover Your Behind) by Lippert. If you were to do it and something went totally wrong and the unit came down a crushed you, your family could sue, but by telling to NOT to they're covered.
In the real world we all do it.
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Old 05-11-2022, 09:01 AM   #15
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Ditto to all of the answers, but here is one more reason... I back my rig into a steel building, the last thing I do is crank the front hard to the side so it is parallel with the wall. The axels are now in a bind, so I leave it hooked up to the truck and manually raise the rear jacks, the axles straighten out , and I put plywood under the tires to keep them off of the concrete for long periods of time. I have be doing this for years with my 2005 3400, and now with our 2021 3762, both are heavy rigs. I tried to get my wife to lighten the load, she went right to my tools... I apologized!!!
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Old 05-12-2022, 05:45 AM   #16
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Yup I use the six point hydraulic level up to do my annual axle bearing and brake maintenance as well as lubricate the suspension

All four tires removed here to take them down to tire shop and get new Sailuns installed

The shackles will flip over when you take the tires off the ground on an axle on both sides..

Shackles will flip back over when lower the tries back to the ground

Been doing it this way with this fifth wheel for go9mg on nine years now

Load capacity of the level up system is:

Frt LG … 14K per side
Mid/Real levelers …. 24K per side

Lots of spare capacity

Safety of course is key when you have the tires removed and are working on the suspension
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Old 06-26-2023, 04:07 AM   #17
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We are heading out on a short trip and I have been cleaning and checking systems. I used the hydraulic lifts to raise the tires and just spin them…this was the first time I had used the lift system in manual mode. One side lifted fine but the other “timed out” due to lift angle. I did not know what to do - until reviewing this thread - especially Carl’s post #4 above. I plan to go play with the system again today and spin the other tires.

Four years ago I clipped a high curb turning in to the Waco Cracker Barrel and bent the rear passenger side jack…more accurate to say that the mounting brackets bent. I took the jack off the brackets and pounded on the brackets with a BFH until they were plumb, and reinstalled the jack. The jack still works fine and does not leak fluid. I was cleaning the jacks, wiping with tranny fluid and I noticed two small nicks (smaller than half to a quarter of an oatmeal flake - I will post a pic later today) on the smooth piston leg. The nicks have been there since my jack leg accident…but I understand more about the hydraulic system now (thanks to reading this forum) than I did four years ago and the importance of cleaning the piston legs to protect the seals. They feel more like rough spots and are not deep cuts or gouges. Should I gently file those nicks smooth?

By the way - IH35 thru Waco has been improved over the last few years. The high curb at the Cracker Barrel is no longer there and the entrance apron is wider.
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Old 06-26-2023, 06:35 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikendebbie View Post
We are heading out on a short trip and I have been cleaning and checking systems. I used the hydraulic lifts to raise the tires and just spin them…this was the first time I had used the lift system in manual mode. One side lifted fine but the other “timed out” due to lift angle. I did not know what to do - until reviewing this thread - especially Carl’s post #4 above. I plan to go play with the system again today and spin the other tires.

Four years ago I clipped a high curb turning in to the Waco Cracker Barrel and bent the rear passenger side jack…more accurate to say that the mounting brackets bent. I took the jack off the brackets and pounded on the brackets with a BFH until they were plumb, and reinstalled the jack. The jack still works fine and does not leak fluid. I was cleaning the jacks, wiping with tranny fluid and I noticed two small nicks (smaller than half to a quarter of an oatmeal flake - I will post a pic later today) on the smooth piston leg. The nicks have been there since my jack leg accident…but I understand more about the hydraulic system now (thanks to reading this forum) than I did four years ago and the importance of cleaning the piston legs to protect the seals. They feel more like rough spots and are not deep cuts or gouges. Should I gently file those nicks smooth?

By the way - IH35 thru Waco has been improved over the last few years. The high curb at the Cracker Barrel is no longer there and the entrance apron is wider.
** There is an old saying.. "If it aint broke don't fix it"... you have had no leaks, etc with that cylinder.. I would leave alone.. But if you must tinker with the two nicks I would simply lightly dress the area with crocus cloth #400 grit.. but by doing so you will also remove the coating on that cylinder rod leg...
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Old 07-08-2023, 01:32 PM   #19
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Absolutely correct! I've done not hooked to the truck!
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Old 07-08-2023, 11:45 PM   #20
rohrmann
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I've had the rig totally lifted off the ground with all the jacks for as long as four days years ago, and service the brakes/bearings many times using the jacks. Have also raised the wheels off the ground for tire replacements at a tire dealer, while traveling and still connected to the truck, and have not had any issues. I find that raising both sides at the same time eliminates putting the rig so far off level that the system locks out, and that has worked many times. You just use the REAR button and all the center and rear jacks will raise the rig.
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