By Brian Henson, Director of Curriculum & Instructors at NRVTA
Welcome back to another Two-Minute Tech Tip Tuesday, brought to you by the National RV Training Academy (NRVTA)—the largest hands-on RV training academy in America.
Recently, Todd threw out a challenge for the other instructors to answer real questions submitted by RV owners. Last week Jeremy took his turn, and this week I’m stepping up to answer a couple of great questions that came in from former students.
Let’s jump right in.
Question 1: Leveling on a Driveway with a Slope
Chris Brown, a former student, writes:
*“Hello, I’m a former student and will be signing up for the pro course this Friday. I was wondering if you’d be able to answer a technical question concerning the Lippert (LCI) electronic leveling system.
We just traded our travel trailer for a 2021 Coachmen Mirada 29FW. I’m currently parked in my driveway, which has about a 3° slope. The back of the coach is higher than the front. When I use the auto level, the front wheels come off the ground by four to five inches. I know this isn’t good. I’ve had the same result with the manual leveling attempt. Is the 3° slope too much for the leveling system to handle?”*
Answer: Support Your Axles
Chris, great question. Having your wheels off the ground isn’t ideal—but it’s not automatically bad for your leveling system. The key issue isn’t the Lippert system itself, but the fact that your axles and suspension components may not be properly supported.
Here are two solutions you can try:
- Block the Front Axle – Level the coach as normal, then place sturdy blocks under the front axle to carry the load. This prevents your suspension shackles from twisting out of position.
- Use Drive-On Leveling Blocks – Products like Anderson levelers allow you to drive up onto a stable platform, giving you extra height before the auto-level system engages. This keeps the wheels supported while still letting the system level the coach.
So, while a 3° slope isn’t necessarily “too much” for the Lippert system, you’ll want to make sure your axles are always supported before heading out to camp.
Question 2: Why Do Lippert Leveling Systems Show Low Voltage?
William Harris asks:
“Why do most Lippert leveling systems give a low voltage warning?”
Answer: It’s All About Power Supply
Leveling systems require a lot of power to lift and stabilize a coach. If you’re not plugged into shore power, your batteries alone may not provide the voltage needed. Here’s what to check:
- Battery Under Load – Your multimeter may show a full charge, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Use a load tester to measure how much power your battery actually provides under stress. Many new batteries aren’t fully charged right off the shelf.
- Use Your Converter – If your battery is struggling, make sure your converter is plugged into shore power. The converter supplies around 13.4–13.5 volts, which is often enough to operate the leveling system.
- Bypass the Battery if Needed – If your battery is very low, disconnect the negative cable. This allows the converter to power the leveling system directly instead of wasting energy trying to charge the weak battery.
By keeping your batteries properly charged and relying on the converter when needed, you’ll avoid those low-voltage errors and keep your leveling system running smoothly.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s dealing with a sloped driveway or troubleshooting low-voltage errors, the key to success with your Lippert leveling system is support and power management. Always make sure your coach is safely supported, and don’t overlook the importance of fully charged batteries and a working converter.
At NRVTA, we’re proud to help RV owners like Chris and William not only learn how to use their rigs but also build the skills to troubleshoot real-world issues.
Stay tuned for more Tech Tip Tuesdays, and if you haven’t already—hit that subscribe button so you don’t miss the next one!