It’s common knowledge among RVers that an RV needs to be level, both for comfort and for certain appliances to function properly. But there are a number of different ways to level an RV. In this post, we’re taking a look at the HWH leveling system. What is it and how does it work? And does it mean you can abandon the need to adjust and re-adjust your manual jacks over and over again until your rig is level?
Let’s find out!
What Is the HWH Leveling System?
HWH systems are hydraulic leveling systems produced by HWH Corporation in Moscow, Iowa. An RV industry leader in hydraulic landing gear, HWH makes hydraulic jacks (and slide-out mechanisms) for RVs, horse trailers, and specialty vehicles, among other systems.
HWH hydraulic leveling jacks make leveling your RV easy. The process takes place from inside your RV, where a control panel is located. From the control panel, you can manually raise/lower each side/end of the RV. Or, if so equipped, you can use the automatic leveling function to engage the system (either a hydraulic system or air system) to level your RV from front to back and side to side.
This bi-axial lifting (two jacks or air bags on one side/end lifting at the same time) is crucial as it helps to prevent twisting of the RV’s chassis. The end result is a level rig that’s also stabilized, minimizing motion when people are walking around inside.
The system is typically installed by the RV manufacturer, but can also be installed after-market by an HWH RV tech.
How Does the HWH Leveling System Work?
HWH hydraulic leveling systems use tanks, pumps, hoses, and sensors to raise and lower the RV. HWH air leveling systems use the existing air bags (on an RV with an air suspension, like a diesel pusher) to raise/lower each side/end of the RV. To accomplish leveling, most of HWH’s hydraulic systems use single-acting cylinders, where the jacks are retracted using springs. But some HWH systems have double-acting cylinders, where the jacks are also retracted using hydraulic power.
The level sensing unit has a side-to-side tolerance of about an inch and a front-to-back tolerance of about five inches (comparing this to using a circular bubble level, half of the bubble in the bull’s eye would roughly equate to these same tolerances). Depending on the type of leveling (air or hydraulic), the jacks you have, and their mounting height, the typical lift from an HWH system will be between four and six inches.
Straight-acting jacks mount to the frame and simply extend and retract from their fixed position (common on diesel RVs with air suspension, for example, because the air can be dumped so the RV sits lower before leveling begins).
These are examples of straight jacks with various lifting capacities. (Photo credit: HWH Corporation)
Kick-down jacks stow parallel to the ground and pivot down into position during use. This ensures sufficient ground clearance when driving, but improves the range of lift for RVs that can’t dump air before leveling (gas motorhomes, for example).
Using RV jack pads may be necessary at times, for example, if the rig is parked on soft ground. HWH doesn’t recommend the use of more than one pad per jack, however. Also, the foot needs to be centered on the pad.
Leveling blocks like these offer high-quality stability and plenty of room.
If it should become necessary for any reason, you can manually retract each HWH leveling jack. A solenoid with a white tab on it can be turned to release the pressure and retract the jack.
How Do I Reset My HWH Leveling System?
If you’re having a problem with your HWH leveling system, it may need to be reset. The process used is simple:
- Park your rig in a completely flat area.
- If your HWH leveling system uses air, dump the air from the system.
- On the control panel inside the RV, press the “Auto Leveling” button and hold it down for 10 to 15 seconds. The system will now begin the reset process which includes fully extending and then retracting the leveling jacks.
- Once the system has been reset, manually level your RV.
- Turn the system off.
If resetting doesn’t solve your problem, you may need to have the system looked at by a professional. And if you’re HWH hydraulic leveling system won’t retract? Check out our article “Hydraulic Jacks Stuck Out? How to Manually Retract Them!” and get back on the road fast!
How to Level a Motorhome in General
While our motorhome has an HWH automatic leveling system, we also use our LevelMatePRO to assist in the process, as it’s higher level of accuracy ensures our bathroom door doesn’t swing open/closed on us! (the sensors in the HWH can be calibrated, but they’re still less accurate than the LevelMatePRO). Check out our YouTube videos on how to level a motorhome and on how we use our LevelMatePRO to do so.
If you’re interested in a LevelMatePRO unit, they’re available on Amazon, or from TechnoRV (with a 5% discount):
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Kim Hearing
Monday 7th of April 2025
I am looking for a leveling system for my Entegra Ethos 20T (Ram Promaster chassis). Does anyone know if there is one available?
Steve
Thursday 14th of November 2024
Hello, I have an HWH system and all my levelers are very slow to come back up to the point that I open the valve and assist them, I have no idea what the previous owners did during cleaning the levelers and before I spend the money to have the hydraulic cylinders rebuilt, is there a filter of some sort in the hydraulic system that possibly could be clogged. 2012 Tiffin, thanks!
Reba
Tuesday 29th of October 2024
I an HWH leveling console. Technician put it on new and when he contacted hwh they said it needs reprogramming. Is that the same as resetting?
TheRVgeeks
Tuesday 29th of October 2024
Good question, Reba. The only "programming" we've heard of with the HWH systems has to do with the sensing unit (the main "brains" of the HWH leveling system), not the control panel (i.e. the part inside that has the buttons you push for leveling). If what your technician put in is more than just the control panel inside... then the main sensing unit has to be "programmed" (by setting DIP switches correctly) to know which way is forward and what type of leveling system it has. The installation manual for the system should have those instructions... if not, we'd suggest contacting HWH again to find out if they can send you those.
Jay
Sunday 25th of August 2024
We've had HWH & EQ jacks in prior motorhomes and we're back to HWH in our new/used 2022 Foretravel FS450. What's really different is that the engine has to be running in order to use the jacks. In our prior motorhomes, if the ignition was on, they would not extend, only retract and with the usual warning beeps so that you don't try to drive with the jacks down.
There is an interesting "dump" option on the HWH control panel that lowers the motorhome's height to a too low to ride position. Now, while you normally wouldn't want to do that, by accident, I found that it can more favorably change the angle between an attached tow dolly and the hitch to allow easier access to the underside of the front of the tow car after it's on the dolly. We have an American Car Tow Dolly for our Camry Hybrid, which has a ground clearance that's too low for any other tow dolly (you can read about the American Car Tow Dolly on iRV2, which is where I first found out about it). After getting the car onto the dolly, the ramps for the dolly can be securely stored on the dolly, just under the front of the car with a long T-bolt keeping the ramps in place. With the MH fully aired up, its normal ride height prevents easy access to the storage area on the dolly with no room to get the T-bolt screwed in place. Dumping the air with the HWH "Dump" button lowers the entire coach along with the front of the dolly so that there's enough room to get access to the ramps.
TheRVgeeks
Thursday 29th of August 2024
Great little trick, @Jay. Glad you found a way to make using your dolly a bit easier! Another use for the "Dump" button is if you're going to manually level, instead of using the auto-level. Dropping the air from the suspension lowers the whole RV down... so that it won't end up too high up when levelled, making it hard to get to the first step. 😉
Len Reese
Saturday 26th of August 2023
Len I have a 2006 Country Coach 40’ pusher. I have just recently purchased it and this coach is equipped with HWH self leveling airbags system, with a separate air compressor. I have to level it manually and it takes forever. Are they supposed to be automatic? Do you have any posts on how this system operates and/or can you recommend a YouTube video to help explain how it works? Thanks Len
TheRVgeeks
Tuesday 29th of August 2023
Hi Len. We don't have personal experience with this system... but since the air leveling option was a fairly high end option back in 2006, we'd guess that the system DOES have an automatic mode. How that's triggered, however, may vary by which control panel was installed. On our NON-air-leveling system, the controller is a bit weird. The "HYD" button in the upper left corner of the controller works as an "On" button as well as an "Auto Leveling" button. So, pushing that one ones activates the system... and pushing it a second time triggers the auto-leveling sequence. Could be the same on yours?