Popping noise - I've had it checked by dealer
- Thread starter marvmarcy
- Start date
porthole
Retired
I've never had the popping. But, this season I will be raising the jacks one notch for driveway clearance issues. This will effectively have my pistons at a longer stroke. Could be a key if I start getting the pop this year.
I really only need to raise the rear jacks, but this would potentially over lift the center of the trailer if I reach full extension with the rear jacks. Thus the reason for moving all 4.
I really only need to raise the rear jacks, but this would potentially over lift the center of the trailer if I reach full extension with the rear jacks. Thus the reason for moving all 4.
I have been in contact with Lippert regularly and they have never suggested that they had any idea what the problem was. It is interesting that Heartland think they now know. It is about time Heartland started putting some pressure on Lippert to solve the problem and fix all the rigs that have it. As discussed it is definitely temperature related. We live in our rig six months of the year travelling constantly and noted that the problem was significantly less during the hot months last summer but has come back with a vengenace this year with the colder weather and significant temperature shifts over the 24 hour period.
I have also noted how people have "solved" the problem by putting significant sized blocks under the legs to shorten the hydraulic extension but as far as I am concerned these are band-aid patches and do not solve the fundamental problem. The whole point of having a self levelling system is that you don't have to use lots of blocks to level the rig.
I have also noted how people have "solved" the problem by putting significant sized blocks under the legs to shorten the hydraulic extension but as far as I am concerned these are band-aid patches and do not solve the fundamental problem. The whole point of having a self levelling system is that you don't have to use lots of blocks to level the rig.
2psnapod1
Texas-South Chapter Leader-Retired
We have a 2011 Key Largo (and are full-timers) which we picked up in March 2011 and never had any popping issues until nearly a year later. The popping has increased to the point that it shakes the coach. We have been in cold, hot and warm and it pops. We have been from Alabama to Texas to Utah to Washington state and it still pops. We have been on gravel and concrete and it still pops. We have had the legs fully extended and barely extended and it still pops. We have used pads on the legs and not used pads and it still pops. The 'popping' is no longer popping it is now 'clunking'.
funntheson
Well-known member
"Air in the line"? Right! So after using my auto level system for 2 1/2 years, I still have air in the line? I don't think so. Rather, I think no one wants to take responsibility/liability for the repairs and/or replacements.
Does the 6 point system have the problem as well, or just the 4 point?
Does the 6 point system have the problem as well, or just the 4 point?
Pizzaguy
Well-known member
Gary521
Well-known member
I am going to install the electric leveling system on my trailer. After reading all of this, there is no way that I would subject my sleep to the level-up system. Just for grins, I did a little search to find that every manufacturer that uses this system has the same problems. It is not just a Heartland problem. If I were you guys, I would get a hold of Jason Lippert directly and not fool with the lower level peons. In my search, I found that people had problems only in cold weather, others in hot weather, extended a lot and extended a little. On guy thought it was the difference in expansion rates between the steel an aluminum parts, another thought the frame was creaking. I would guess that the reasons are known but to a select few.
I started this thread, although there are others like it on this forum. I founded and ran a successful business for many years, and I know about keeping customers happy with quality product, trouble-free performance and taking care of problems. Lippert has been manufacturing and selling this system for many years, and the complaints go back to the beginning. There are other hydraulic leveling systems that don't have this problem, so a well-designed system can work without these annoying noises and shaking. It seems that Lippert hopes users will just accept it, and that is much better for Lippert than the costly effort of fixing all their noisy systems. Heartland shares the blame in knowing this system has the problem but continuing to install it on their trailers.
Heartland, Lippert, when are you going to fix this? Unless it is fixed, I for one won't consider another trailer with the Lippert hydraulic leveling system.
Heartland, Lippert, when are you going to fix this? Unless it is fixed, I for one won't consider another trailer with the Lippert hydraulic leveling system.
ParkIt
Well-known member
Don't hold your breath on Lippert changing anything soon. After talking to our insurance agent, he was pretty animated when I mentioned Lippert.
It hasn't just been customers but insurance companies as well that have been asking them to move to a better system and they still haven't done anything nor have plans to.
My guess is retrofitting the production plant would cause a lot of havoc and expense, its cheaper to pay insurance claims and individuals than it is to change a product or so it seems.
Next week I'm going to contact HWH and see what their pricing is, since they were rock solid on my 28,000 GRVW RV (and I did keep it fully loaded at all times) I'll be having those installed. Interesting they place them differently than Lippert does but I figured a 4 point system would be enough plus they still have the "stupid" feature - if you forget they are down and try to drive or move off, they snap up without damaging the leg or frame of the unit.
It hasn't just been customers but insurance companies as well that have been asking them to move to a better system and they still haven't done anything nor have plans to.
My guess is retrofitting the production plant would cause a lot of havoc and expense, its cheaper to pay insurance claims and individuals than it is to change a product or so it seems.
Next week I'm going to contact HWH and see what their pricing is, since they were rock solid on my 28,000 GRVW RV (and I did keep it fully loaded at all times) I'll be having those installed. Interesting they place them differently than Lippert does but I figured a 4 point system would be enough plus they still have the "stupid" feature - if you forget they are down and try to drive or move off, they snap up without damaging the leg or frame of the unit.
danemayer
Well-known member
The memo you attached doesn't inspire confidence that's it's a real communication from Lippert. Who sent you the document?
The solution is viable. Lippert has tried it on a dozen coaches now with success. Mine was #11 - just a week ago. I was waiting to announce anything on the forum until the LIP Sheet or other Lippert guidance came out on it. But it sounds like they have given the info to their Customer Service team. My sense is the documentation is just around the corner.
Bob Tiedge, Lippert's hydraulic guru stopped by to visit with me last week while I was in Elkhart. He explained to me (and Jay Coffman - jayc) what is happening inside the hydraulic cylinders and how the additive works and why it eliminates the popping.
This is all I know. Sorry I can't shed anymore light on it. Bob carries a file with 200 logged complaints to Lippert's Customer Service department. If you are experiencing the popping on your coach with the LevelUp system and you have yet opened a case with Lippert, I urge you to do so now by calling them (866-524-7821). Have your VIN ready for them.
While sketchy at this time - I really believe they've got this issue licked. Now to wait and see how they will handle resolution for those with the issue.
My sense of what will happen on new coaches going forward is the Heartland will likely have to mix this or a similar additive to their bulk tanks of hydraulic fluid before filling the systems on the coaches.
Jim
Bob Tiedge, Lippert's hydraulic guru stopped by to visit with me last week while I was in Elkhart. He explained to me (and Jay Coffman - jayc) what is happening inside the hydraulic cylinders and how the additive works and why it eliminates the popping.
This is all I know. Sorry I can't shed anymore light on it. Bob carries a file with 200 logged complaints to Lippert's Customer Service department. If you are experiencing the popping on your coach with the LevelUp system and you have yet opened a case with Lippert, I urge you to do so now by calling them (866-524-7821). Have your VIN ready for them.
While sketchy at this time - I really believe they've got this issue licked. Now to wait and see how they will handle resolution for those with the issue.
My sense of what will happen on new coaches going forward is the Heartland will likely have to mix this or a similar additive to their bulk tanks of hydraulic fluid before filling the systems on the coaches.
Jim
Sorry Kathy - I just can't. It's a complex issue and Bob is way smarter than me and I did not really grasp it all. So my stumbling of trying to explain it would do this matter no justice.
I understand they are working on the LIP sheet now. It will describe the fix for sure. How deep it will delve into the cause - don't know.
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