Retracting jacks while unhooked

[Fnp5150]

This may be a dumb question, but here goes. I need to fully retract all my jacks on my Cougar so I can zero out the autolevel feature. In the past I've hooked up to the truck and then retracted. Just saw a video where someone retracted them while unhooked (was a different brand fiver), and it worked fine. I'm worried that my camper will go so low to the ground that it will damage my drain pipes for grey and black water. Is this possible, or do the manufacturers plan for this ahead of time and build them with enough room?

[Edd505]

azdryheat wrote:
Not sure what you mean by zeroing out your Autolevel feature. If you just want to reprogram the level point of the trailer you don't need retract the jacks. Level the trailer and tell the system the new level per your owner's manual.

Exactly, I have done it several times. Read the manual and loose your man card, never.

[justme]

Fnp5150 wrote:
This may be a dumb question, but here goes. I need to fully retract all my jacks on my Cougar so I can zero out the autolevel feature. In the past I've hooked up to the truck and then retracted. Just saw a video where someone retracted them while unhooked (was a different brand fiver), and it worked fine. I'm worried that my camper will go so low to the ground that it will damage my drain pipes for grey and black water. Is this possible, or do the manufacturers plan for this ahead of time and build them with enough room?

I don't know what you mean by "zero out the auto-level". If you mean calibrating for level then you simply follow the instructions in the manual which don't require full retraction.

[Super_Dave]

Pipes are or should be close to the tires. That area will never get close to the ground.

[ACZL]

Our Big Country does the same as "Me Again's", sort of like it's going to church and kneeling down. Weird as all get all. Just don't put your truck under it and hit auto retract.

[Me_Again]

My six point on the Bighorn lowers the front way down at the start of the auto level process. Never a problem. Chris

[azdryheat]

Not sure what you mean by zeroing out your Autolevel feature. If you just want to reprogram the level point of the trailer you don't need retract the jacks. Level the trailer and tell the system the new level per your owner's manual.

[Veebyes]

Transfer the weight onto the frame via blocks & go at it doing whatever you wan to do with the legs.

[Fisher_Bill]

Would it work the same if you put heavy duty jack stands under the frame or does it need weight to reset?

[cummins2014]

topjimmy wrote:
Yep my Montana does this every time lowers the front all the way then does it's thing

CarnationSailor wrote:
Sometimes my auto level system will bottom out the front Jack's as part of the leveling process. Actually displays "bottoming out jacks". So I doubt it puts undue stress on the front axle.

Same on mine .

[topjimmy]

Yep my Montana does this every time lowers the front all the way then does it's thing

CarnationSailor wrote:
Sometimes my auto level system will bottom out the front Jack's as part of the leveling process. Actually displays "bottoming out jacks". So I doubt it puts undue stress on the front axle.

[valhalla360]

Ed9824v wrote:
sound like you need and inexpensive tripod stand for the king pin, I assume you have a 5th wheel. I used that for putting different feet bottoms on the legs.

A heavy duty expensive one, maybe...one of the cheap ones, not a chance I would try it.

I've found when I try to cut corners...that's when I break things.

[CarnationSailor]

Sometimes my auto level system will bottom out the front Jack's as part of the leveling process. Actually displays "bottoming out jacks". So I doubt it puts undue stress on the front axle.

[schlep1967]

An email or phone call to the manufacturer should give you the answers you need.

[pcm1959]

I think that lowering it all the way down in the front will put a lot of stress on the front axle, as well.