Tips for using Lippert's Ground Control 3.0 Leveling System
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- čas přidán 12. 07. 2024
- In this video, I show tips that I have learned over 4 seasons of using Lippert's Ground Control 3.0 leveling system. If you follow these tips, you are all but guaranteed to have a trouble free experience when using the levellers.
Review Webpage: www.rv-project.com/tips/ground...
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I have operated an RV park and campground for 40+ years. Dealers are sending new never camped customers out on maiden voyages with very little knowledge of their rigs. Your video needs to be on the must watch list !!!!
I don't think the dealers even have a grasp on how the system works. Thank you for your comment.
My husband is a seasoned RV’r (for 55 years)and has a CDL but we recently purchased a new 5th wheel with the 6 point leveling system. No verbal instructions were given at the dealer, no printed “instruction manual” was provided, and when I emailed the dealer for assistance, he sent a link to Lippert. My husband is frustrated with this and now it’s dread city when we hook and unhook. It seems that many products are designed my nerds who are technology experts and enthusiasts and not with the folks out here in the real world in mind.
Welp you sir have single handedly, answered all of my questions in a very detailed and informative way. Thank you for sharing this, fell now that can confidently get through any hiccups that may come up. My biggest concern was wheels coming off the ground and you have done an awesome hob at helping me get past that. Thank you for sharing, gonna give the other videos in your leveling series a watch.
Its a shame that dealers don't provide better instruction about the system when you pick it up. But it's likely they don't have a clue either, as the information I provided in the video was from the experience of using the system for a few years.
Thank you so much for sharing. Definitely one explanation from you than the dealer as you pointed out!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you. So helpful!
You're welcome!
Thanks for the information. Very helpful.
You're welcome!
I think I've figured mine out now but this video helps alot to confirm what I'm now doing. I was mad at it for a while. 4th use, I feel I got it now Thanks!
Once you figure it out, the system actually works pretty well. Too bad the dealers don't know enough about their system to provide good instructions.
@@RVProject you are CORRECT! They DO NOT!
Great video! One thing I'd add is you might have to level the trailer manually and tell the 3.0 system when it's level so it has a reference point.
I would recommend manual leveling and resetting the system whenever you experience an "out-of-stroke error. I have a video for that process: czcams.com/video/-9Qh-8bR3JU/video.html
Thank you for this valuable information
Thanks for watching.
God Bless you! I've had ours for 5 seasons and it's still a pain in the .......
Hopefully you got some value out of the video then.
Used Anderson bucket on my Jayco 37 ft 319 MLOK and over 50 level set ups, never a problem using auto level
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Great tips! Thanks
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Great tips. I've only had to level 10-12 times but the last couple of times I struggled and couldn't figure it out until I spent hours trying to get it level. Turns out I have the LevelMate Pro and was assuming it was right, cause it usually is but somehow it lost its calibration and was telling me I was far less level side-to-side than I really was. I think when I replaced the battery it didn't keep its setting but I did watch your calibration video already and that how I calibrated it to start with. Oh well, lesson learned and ready for next year.
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First of all...Nice RV! I've got a '17 303. Still learning the LCI 3.0 Especially the Auto Hookup. Got an videos on that. I'll have to go to LCI's apps and learn.
Here are a few webpages on the RV-Project website you might be interested in. Each of the pages has videos embedded in them covering different aspects of the Ground Control system.
www.rv-project.com/projects/lciremote.php
www.rv-project.com/repairs/badjack.php
www.rv-project.com/tips/groundcontrol.php
Had this on my last camper, a Grand Design Reflection 303rls. Never had a problem. Have it in my new Reflection 320MKS. First time I used it it was nose down 3/4 bubble on my shop level. I recalibrated it and it’s “on the level” now. This weekend we were camping and the site was level front to back, not so much side to side. The left wheels did come off the ground about two inches. I went to Wally World and got some blocks. Didn’t like to be off the ground, it was wobbly.
On a trip to Canada last yr, the day we arrived at our destination, the leveling system would not work correctly and lifted the left wheels off the ground as well. Thing is, everything was level side-to-side as I used blocking to do so.
Sometimes that happens. No big deal, I just manually leveled the system, then did a zero-calibration and all is well.
In the video I do mention that can happen occasionally which is why I recommend knowing how to do the recalibration procedure. It's easy to do.
Thanks you! Thank you!
Great video!
Do you auto level with the slides in or out?
Problem I have most often is on uneven pads with slope back to front but fairly level side to side. Is how far to extend the front legs before pinning them. More than once had to re connect to the truck on extend or retract and re pin the front jacks or legs.
I do two things before I try unhitching. One is to check my side to side level and correct with wood 2x's as necessary and second is to plug into shore power. No worries about battery then. My auto level calibration is off a little bit, but I have not reset it yet. I might this off season.
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Hi there! Loved the video. I’ve been having a different problem I’m hoping maybe you’ve seen. When we hit auto level after disconnecting the truck, the front end comes down and twice now, one of the front legs raises! So that the camper is only sitting on one front leg and the tires. Have you seen this? I’m very freaked out by it!
I had that happen a couple of times when I first had the RV, and after I received an out-of-stroke error.
It seems that once you receive an out-of-stroke error, the system can go brain-dead; lifting one jack at a time, leveling high, sometimes with wheels off the ground, and so on.
I found the fix that any time weird things happen like this is to do the re-zero procedure. I did a video on this procedure: czcams.com/video/-9Qh-8bR3JU/video.html
I recommend becoming familiar with this procedure. It is quick and easy to do. In fact, I have to do it about once per year.
When I went on a 4,000mi round trip last yr, when I arrived at the destination, the RV wanted to level "high", and lift one side's wheels off the ground. No problem, I just went into manual mode, leveled the rig to my liking, then did that re-zero procedure, and everything worked again.
Thanks that was very helpful. I’ve had my new unit for about 2 weeks and the Lippert system has frustrated me quite a bit
When I bought my RV, the third time out, I received an out-of-stroke error and took 3 hours to get it to work. I understand the frustration of not being familiar with the system.
Since then, my personal experience - plus attending a Lippert seminar on how the Ground Control works, I figured I'd share what I learned with others.
Too bad the dealers don't do a better job during the PDI.. But they probably don't have a clue.
Am I missing your other videos that reference the Jack Error or what you do when your trailer completely lifts off of the ground? How do you handle that at the campsite?
If you have to zero level the trailer at a campsite what is your recommendation? Do you end up trying to find a Walmart or a large parking lot that's flat or do you just try an auto level the trailer in your campsite where you parked it? Confused on how best to handle this? Thanks again for being so helpful.
Here is a link to my webpage where I have four videos on the Lippert Ground Control system: www.rv-project.com/tips/groundcontrol.php
I provide videos on how to level your RV (this video), how to correct a Jack Error, and how to re-set the level point, and how to wirelessly control the levelers.
The leveler system works by having a ground point reference in a sensor - usually near the rear of the trailer. Each time you level the trailer, the system uses the sensor to determine what is level.
You can reset that reference point, which is covered in one of the videos on the webpage.
Basically, after getting the RV setup and going through the "Autolevel" procedure, if you find the level not to your liking, use a carpenter's level or similar method of determining what seems level to you.
Fact is, RVs are never built square, so there will always be some area not level, when other areas are level.
At any rate,
1.Use the manual controls on the Ground Control panel to get the level where you want it.
2. Then, turn the panel off (the panel must be off to do the next step).
3. Depress the FRONT button 5 times, followed by the REAR button 5 times.
4. The panel will come back on, and ask you if you want to reset the level point.
5. If you OK the reset, the current level state of your RV will be the new level point.
I need to restate; when doing this procedure, the new level of your RV will be it's current position. If you do not like the new position, just manually change the level and do the re-level again.
I recommend becoming familiar with this procedure. It is not difficult when you get used to it, and sometimes you will have to use it as sometimes the system seems to go brain-dead.
I would not recommend lifting the wheels off the ground. While the leveling system can do this, the RV will be more stable (less wobbly when walking in it) if the wheels are on the ground.
There are two situations when the wheels could lift off the ground. First, if the ground is too unlevel, this can happen. In that case, use orange blocks under the wheels on the low side to pre-level the RV so it is closer to level. Secondly, when the system goes "brain dead", the leveling system seems to "level high", lifting the RV more than needed to level it. In that case, doing a re-level will fix that problem.
Finally, my RV is a 2016, and I have not had any firmware updates to the Ground Control system since I owned it. So I cannot guarantee that everything works the same for your RV as for mine.
Great info!!! Thanks again.
I always have my 5th wheel plugged into shore power before I level the rig. Or at least connected to the truck for additional power.
Same here. If my battery has been depleted, even plugged into the truck doesn't enough power to raise/lower to my desired height uninterrupted. I can go up/down for 3-5 seconds before it has to stop and take a breather.
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Do you have a video on calibrating the system. Ours was not calibrated by the dealer and it always sends the trailer into an excessive angle when using the auto level. I have to do it manually from the inside computer screen. I’d love to know how to calibrate the system.
Here is a link to my website's Ground Control 3.0 page. There is a calibration video on that page: www.rv-project.com/tips/groundcontrol.php
Sorry I know I'm asking a lot... I also saw that leveling device on your hitch. I'm assuming I should buy that? I have a camping trip coming up and not having that now where do you recommend that I put a carpenter's level for the time being until I have that device you have?
No problem - ask away. It helps other RV'ers too.
I like a leveling device as when I get to the campground, I can move the RV forward and reverse to find the closest level spot. The side-to-side level is the most critical, and the closer the spirit level shows the level, the better.
This is a lot easier than having to get out of the vehicle each time you select a spot and putting a carpenter's level on the RV.
I am also doing a video for the LevelMate pro leveler, which is a bluetooth-enabled leveler. I have to shoot some video with it in use, and that will happen in July on our first campout of the season. But for now, here are a couple of links you might be interested in:
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LevelMate Pro (Bluetooth level I am testing): amzn.to/2Zqx4pt
AccuLevel (the one on my RV): amzn.to/2ZjjDrw
5th Wheel mounting Brackets (required for the AccuLevel): amzn.to/38j1BJZ
Man.... I can't thank you enough. All great points. You are a wealth of knowledge that I don't have!!! Can't wait for your video on leveling system. You put together a nice videos and I'm impressed with how you edit them. They're packed with knowledge and jammed with content!
@@jeremyb6497 Thank you for your support. Your comments tell me I am on the right track as far as video content goes. I try to show concepts and pitfalls rather than step-by-step as there are plenty of other videos that do that. I try to add content you cannot find anywhere else.
I have had issues with my RV not keeping calibration. I manually level, set calibration and next time out, i rarely get close to level. while at home, I keep the RV plugged in. any advise?
I'd call Lippert. Sounds like you may have a bad sensor.
I have a travel trailer and I see LCI has a fairly new leveling system available for them as well but when I watch videos like this I start questioning what the point is. If I could just unhook and press a button and it did it's thing that would be nice but if I have to mess around leveling side to side then what is gained? Front to rear leveling is pretty easy. Anyway, I use the Anderson levelling blocks for side to side and a level mate pro and it's not that bad. Still, I'd love to have a truly automatic system that didn't require me to do a thing but I don't think they exist.
Think of the leveling system as a fine-tune type of leveler. As long as you get it close, the leveling system can take over.
You mostly run into issues when you get to a very unlevel site, and expect the leveler to fix it.
You take all the fun out of having an auto level system.
Sorry...
Hello, what is the name for the current Lippert app? My Lci is no longer showing. Thank you.
Is the out of stroke error the same as a time out error on a 2015 model? thanks
I have never seen a timeout error on my unit, but the Lippert manual states a Jack Timeout is the "Time limit exceeded for the requested auto operation."
An out of stroke error happens when the leveling cylinder attempts to level the RV, but reaches it's end of travel. It needs to go further but can't. The display screen states "Out of Stroke" when this happens.
So I would say they are different errors.
Why did my system lift camper off ground on the rear when I was on a level site and was fine a few days before doing auto level? 1” space between jacks and blocks and was almost level front to back before starting auto level. Gave me a stroke error 3 different times and I had to do it manually.
It's been my experience that once you get an out of stroke error, the system goes brain-dead and levels "high", often lifting the wheels off the ground.
Typically you will have to re-synch the level point once you get an out-of-stroke error. I have a video showing how that is done here: czcams.com/video/-9Qh-8bR3JU/video.html
I have also noticed that once every year or two, the system also goes whacky, and is easily corrected with the same procedure. What I am saying is be comfortable doing the level re-synch procedure. It is not difficult to do, and you will have to use it from time to time.
By the way, an out-of-stroke error means a jack has gone to the end of it's travel and can go no more, yet the coach is still not level. Front to back is usually not an issue, but for side-to-side you need to be within 4" of level.
Hope this helps.
@@RVProject I called Lippert Tuesday and they told me to auto level from unhitched height and it worked then. Who knew, I thought I was doing the right thing by not having so much leg extended on front of RV. Thanks for your reply.
@@mfrain3870 I always carry wood blocks to put under the front jacks (landing gear) so they do not have to extend as far. The primary reason for this is the trailer is a bit more stable (less wobbly).
RVProject yes so do I. I use 6X6 blocks for landing gear and plastic blocks for the rest. I just found it odd that me trying to level it before auto leveling was the problem.
I hope you see this comment even though it is so long after your extremely helpful video.
My LCI 3.0 electric leveling system is totally hosed. It continues to raise the wheels off the ground. After watching your videos, I now know I have made numerous errors. Foremost was not pre leveling the RV and ensuring the travel of the jacks doesn’t exceed 4”.
Because I have had out of thrust errors I need to start by rehoming the system. So the first thing I will do is connect the fifth wheel to the truck and lower the front and rear jacks at least 6” then raise all jacks. But, I have a 6 point system and the middle jacks are for stabilization only. I believe this process doesn’t require the lowering of the middle jacks. At least I hope so because everything I’ve read says that it isn’t possible to control the middle jacks manually. Is this assumption correct?
But the real challenge is manually leveling the RV (which I tried to do last weekend unsuccessfully). I need to move individual jacks to accomplish this. Is it possible to lower an individual jack such as Passenger rear? I have pressed the right and rear buttons simultaneously hoping to lower the rear right jack. But nothing happens when I do that.
Anyway. Thanks for this video. Super informative. I will be taking my RV out tomorrow and will attempt to fix the leveling system, and my leveling steps, with your suggestions.
Terry
The manual level process moves the jacks in pairs. Both front jacks, both rear, or both jacks on a side.
You dont want to move just one jack, as that will stress the frame.
I am not sure why you need to do that. Can you elaborate?
@@RVProject good question. I must admit after watching your videos numerous times today, I now know that I have totally messed up my rvs leveling system.
But, last weekend, before I learned the error of my ways (thank you very much 🥺), I did the old push AutoLeveling button. Of course the auto leveling system raised the RV very high resulting in the right side RV tires off the ground and failed. Sorry I don’t recall the error message.
So I was attempting to manually level the RV. The RV was on unlevel pavement with the passenger side lower than the driver side and the rear lower than the front. Therefore the passenger right rear side of the RV was the low point on the RV. So my analogy is a table on unlevel ground. Each leg has to be individually adjusted. So I wanted to adjust each jack individually just as I would level four table legs. Moving both rear jacks doesn’t resolve the problem, IMO. Obviously I don’t understand something vital here. I don’t understand how a leveling system that only allows manual rudimentary movement to ever level the RV.
Thanks for helping and listening to my dribble.
@@terryhaynes1596 When you level the jacks in pairs, the one that touches the ground first should stop and wait for the other one to catch up. Then when the pressure is equal on both jacks, they should start moving together again.
Of course, this works better when the system has been through the re-calibration and re-home procedures. You might have to use a few blocks to get the jacks as equal as possible before you will be able to re-cal.
Oh! I didn’t realize it worked that way. That makes sense now. I don’t think that little piece of information is stated anywhere. I thought once the first jack hit the ground it would start lifting that side of the RV and the other jack would remain in the air. Thanks bill try to fix it tomorrow and report back!
You are the best. This morning at the storage facility where it is pretty level, I homed the jacks. Then put the tubs down and manually leveled it and reset level. So I arrived at the campground this afternoon. I Leveled it left/right. Put the tubs under all the feet. Hit the auto level. IT WORKED!!! You are the best. THANK YOU!
Great video. Can't stand this system. I'm a newbie. Seems like only 4" drop is asking a lot. I would assume all campsites have much more than 4" everywhere you go. Trying to figure out how to manually level my 2017 Keystone Cougar.
Just understand it's no panacea. But if you pre-level by the old methods of using the orange blocks or boards, you can think of it as a fine-tune leveling system. In that regard, it works quite well.
Thanks I really appreciate your support. That makes complete sense. Keep up the good work on CZcams sharing your knowledge!!!
What size blocks do you have on the front jacks. Also can you use those blocks on the others too?
They are 4 pieces of 2x10, 16" long screwed together; which makes the finished size 16"L x 9.5"W x 6"H. you could use them on the rear jacks as well, however, depending on how level the ground is, I prefer to build up the blocks using single 2x10s and orange blocks.
Makes no sense to have this feature, if you have to level the thing out anyways manually. It's supposed to be "auto level" right? Good luck doing this at a state campground where you're lucky to have a semi level area. We'll be picking up our '22 5th wheel soon, hope we don't have this much trouble.
Just about all premium RVs these days - at least 5th wheels come with leveling systems. You have to stay with more entry level RVs if you don't want it.
My leveling system works quite well, and after 6yrs of using it, I don't think I would ever go back to using the "drill to lower the stabilizers" approach
Think of the leveling system as a fine tune to level your rig. When I pull into a site, I get the rig within a few degrees of level by either selecting the proper spot on the site, or in rare occasion, having to use blocks to get it close.
Then the automatic leveling takes over. Push one button and let it do its thing. By the time I get the power cord out and attached, the leveling is competed.
This differs from non-leveling RVs in that you can almost never get a RV perfectly level. It is not precise enough.
We often camp in state park campgrounds or other spots that are not level. We simply add blocking just as you would do otherwise. No problems. I would say we are 75% state parks - 25% private parks in a typical year.
The leveling system is strong enough to lift the chassis. Compare that to the more typical "stabilizer" jacks. They cannot level, only stabilize.
Seems this app is no longer available :(
Seems as they changed the name when they last updated it: www.lci1.com/lippertnow
Where’s the error correcting video?
Lippert hydraulic system installed in my 2005 Mobile Suites..
Front left jack replaced twice..
Front right jack replaced..
Left rear jack replaced...
Bedroom slide hydraulic cylinder leaked and ruined carpet, cylinder replaced..
All within two years!!!!!!! Absolute junk!!!!!
This video covers the electric jack system - "Ground Control". The Lippert hydraulic jack system is "Level-Up".
The Level-Up system is obviously going to be a lot different.
It seems to me that I level my fiver just as fast without the Automatic level system.
I can level the RV in about 30 seconds. I typically disconnect the vehicle, start the autolevel process, and by the time I connect the shorepower cable, it's done.
Pro tip from someone that's had the lippert 3.0 going on 4 years now. Dont use lippert. I've had nothing but issues with this user unfriendly system. Seems to be an awful lot of how to fix X problem with Lippert. Think they need to be called out for their inferior product and go back to the drawing board.
I have owned mine for 6yrs, and while not perfect, my experience is that it does work pretty well. However, I have had Lippert factory reps explain how to use the system and how to reset it. So I really think the missing link here is lack of knowledge on the part of RV dealers. They really don't know how to show someone how to properly use it.
@@RVProject I feel like my lesson was sped through, and on top of parts not being attached properly, mercury switch to detect level, faulty motor in one of the legs, just generally gets out of stroke easy, make it a frustrating system. When it does work I like how fast it sets up. It's just so dang frustrating. I use my trailer for work so setting up is a few times a year process. Wanted to use it for camping with the family but because the leveling system needed so much work I always would be against using it. In the 4 years I had it only used it 2 times for camping.
@@MrJdub454 An out-of-stroke error is when the RV attempts to level, but the cylinder reaches the end of travel before the RV reaches level. It should probably be called a "Adjustment Limit Exceeded" error.
This is because the ground is not level enough, and/or the distance the cylinders have to travel exceeds the length of the cylinder.
The leveling system is only capable of leveling about 2.5deg, side-to-side which for a typical RV means about 4" one way or the other.
The rear jacks are usually the most limited ones as far as adjustment range, so ensure you have 4" or less distance from the ground to the bottom of the jacks before you autolevel. If the distance is greater, put some blocking under the jack.
Sometimes I also put blocking under the tires on the low side if I find a site where it is more than 4" out of level. I also use a spirit level on the RV pin-box so when I first arrive at the site, I can look out of the rear-view mirror and position the RV for the most level spot when it is still hooked to the truck.
The key to reliable operation is to have a reasonably level site. Any salesperson that indicates you can level on any kind of terrain is lying to you.
Besides, if you add blocking, the cylinders do not need to extend as far - which not only prevents an out-of-stroke error, but the trailer will be less wobbly.
I have also found that once you get an out-of-stroke error, it's best to re-home the system as it gets confused and wants to level high, raise one jack, or lift the tires on one side.
Doing a re-home is a simple process, and is easy to do if you get an out-of-level error.