6 Point Level Up System Lesson Learned

[RVGator]

The 6 point level up hydraulic system in our 2022 Avalanche is amazing. Especially when coming from the old hand crank system on our previous TT. I can even use the app on my phone so I never really have to open the little door to access the control panel when leveling or getting on/off my truck.

That being said I learned a lesson recently that I thought I would share for those that are new to having a hydraulic system. I noticed while camping that my reservoir looked low so I noted in my checklist of repairs/maintenance to refill it when home. Came home from the trip, picked up a gallon of the Dextron ATF II and proceeded to fill it to the fill level mark. It was challenging to fill it given the fill port is on the side and seems extremely small even for my long skinny funnel. So I made a bit of a mess filling it. But all in all it went fine.

On the next trip out after having actuated the slides and levelers I noticed that Trans fluid had leaked out of the cap and gone everywhere and that my tank was a LOT more full then when I filled it up. I cleaned it up diligently and applied more pressure at the cap thinking I did not tighten it all the way and some splashed up(although it was a lot of fluid). That night as I lay in bed pondering my stupidity I realized that I did not take into account that when the hydraulic system is extended that more fluid is out of the tank then in the tank and once I pulled everything in it puts more fluid into the tank. So what I thought was a low tank was no where near low. So I have spent the past few times out cleaning up trans fluid at a regular pace, although it seemingly is below the spill point now because the last time out there was no mess to clean.

So for all that have not had the pleasure of cleaning up trans fluid from your front storage bay, i would recommend against it. And be sure to only check your level in your tanks when all slides/levelers are retracted.

[xrated]

Originally Posted by RVGator

The 6 point level up hydraulic system in our 2022 Avalanche is amazing. Especially when coming from the old hand crank system on our previous TT. I can even use the app on my phone so I never really have to open the little door to access the control panel when leveling or getting on/off my truck.

That being said I learned a lesson recently that I thought I would share for those that are new to having a hydraulic system. I noticed while camping that my reservoir looked low so I noted in my checklist of repairs/maintenance to refill it when home. Came home from the trip, picked up a gallon of the Dextron ATF II and proceeded to fill it to the fill level mark. It was challenging to fill it given the fill port is on the side and seems extremely small even for my long skinny funnel. So I made a bit of a mess filling it. But all in all it went fine.

On the next trip out after having actuated the slides and levelers I noticed that Trans fluid had leaked out of the cap and gone everywhere and that my tank was a LOT more full then when I filled it up. I cleaned it up diligently and applied more pressure at the cap thinking I did not tighten it all the way and some splashed up(although it was a lot of fluid). That night as I lay in bed pondering my stupidity I realized that I did not take into account that when the hydraulic system is extended that more fluid is out of the tank then in the tank and once I pulled everything in it puts more fluid into the tank. So what I thought was a low tank was no where near low. So I have spent the past few times out cleaning up trans fluid at a regular pace, although it seemingly is below the spill point now because the last time out there was no mess to clean.

So for all that have not had the pleasure of cleaning up trans fluid from your front storage bay, i would recommend against it. And be sure to only check your level in your tanks when all slides/levelers are retracted.

Dang, that was a tough lesson to learn, although hopefully nothing was really damaged. If I'm not mistaken, it talks about this very issue in the book and to make sure all hydraulic slides are fully retracted and all leveling legs are up. Thanks for passing along your experience, you may save someone else from doing the same thing.

[Camp CA]

Thanks for sharing your lesson learned!!

[RVGator]

Originally Posted by xrated

Dang, that was a tough lesson to learn, although hopefully nothing was really damaged. If I'm not mistaken, it talks about this very issue in the book and to make sure all hydraulic slides are fully retracted and all leveling legs are up. Thanks for passing along your experience, you may save someone else from doing the same thing.

Wait, you have a book?!? Oh wait, is that the package of materials the dealer gave me and told me to read over?

[Javi]

I'm a growed up man, I don't need no damned instructions...

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by Javi

I'm a growed up man, I don't need no damned instructions...

Yep... Instructions are intended to show you what to do with the left over parts. If there's no left overs, no need for any instructions

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Yep... Instructions are intended to show you what to do with the left over parts. If there's no left overs, no need for any instructions

Uh oh. I thought those left overs were spare parts. Mentioned in another thread about rebuilding a Z28 engine....had a nice sized bowl of "left over spare parts". Never gave me an issue and ran like a scalded cat so figured everything must be OK - until I took it for a high speed run down a blacktop and the hood popped up over the windshield at 100+ (my fault).

[vampress_me]

I’m thinking my dad’s advice applies here - if all else fails, look in the garbage for the instructions.