Leveling the trailer - Page 2

cavie · 05-14-2021, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinaMBee1

"""For us, I have a "big semicircular level" on the pinbox. One mark equals 1" off level on the low side. So, when backing into a campsite, if I'm showing 2 marks on the level, then I put 2 blocks under each wheel on the low side.""

=what do you mean by "the pinbox"? I don't know about others but leveling the camper is THE hardest thing to do. It's caused lots of 'loud discussions' with my partner. I spoke with another camping lady I know and she and her husband go through the same thing. I bought the LevelMate pro app and that helps some but still - hate it hate it hate it.

Leveling is very easy to do. Put the RV in place where you want it. If leveling a trailer, look at your attached levels on the side of the rig which you should have put on a long time ago. Use drive-on wood blocks to level side to side first. Touching the bubble to the line is close enough. Then go to your front tong jack and raise on lower the tong as needed. Again touching the bobble to the line is close enough. Now set the stabilizers and chock the wheels. If your driving a motor home, do the drive on block thing first then use you leveling system. Always keep the wheels on the ground. there is an app for your smart phone you can lay at the front door. Again, touching the bubble is close enough.

PS. "Pinbox" is where the 5th wheel hooks to the truck. The box with the pin on it sticking down in front of the trailer.

TinaMBee1 · 05-14-2021, 07:25 AM

I have a pull behind camper so we don't have a pinbox. I'm thinking one of those big leveler thingys might be help. Where would the best place to put it, and did you have a link for it?

cavie · 05-14-2021, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinaMBee1

I have a pull behind camper so we don't have a pinbox. I'm thinking one of those big leveler thingys might be help. Where would the best place to put it, and did you have a link for it?

AMAZON IS YOU FRIEND. https://www.amazon.com/rv-bubble-lev...ubble+levelers.

**sourdough** · 05-14-2021, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinaMBee1

"""For us, I have a "big semicircular level" on the pinbox. One mark equals 1" off level on the low side. So, when backing into a campsite, if I'm showing 2 marks on the level, then I put 2 blocks under each wheel on the low side.""

=what do you mean by "the pinbox"? I don't know about others but leveling the camper is THE hardest thing to do. It's caused lots of 'loud discussions' with my partner. I spoke with another camping lady I know and she and her husband go through the same thing. I bought the LevelMate pro app and that helps some but still - hate it hate it hate it.

Tina what are the issues you're having leveling? I ask because the LevelMate pro was extremely easy to use and made leveling a snap compared to the "old" way of leveling we always did, which did in fact lead to some "conversations" between DW and myself. Are you using blocks or something like the Andersen levelers? I went with the Andersens at the same time I put the LevelMate pro in and it sure made it easier.

Edit: Here is a link to the Andersen levelers. You just place them under the tires on the low side and pull up until the LevelMate pro app says it's level then chock - never leave the driver's seat until it's time to chock.

https://www.amazon.com/Leveler-Ander...s%2C185&sr=8-3

TinaMBee1 · 05-14-2021, 10:43 AM

we use a combination of those Anderson type levelers and boards. maybe it's because we are usually boon docking - not in a campground - so that you just never know what you're going to get as far as level ground. Or maybe it's all HIM

**sourdough** · 05-14-2021, 10:56 AM

Yeah, if you're usually out in the boonies it can take a bit of finiggling to get it set. When we boondocked all the time I didn't have Andersens or the lego blocks, just wood blocks. I used one level and over time knew how much bubble meant how many boards. The bubbles Butch (Cavie) linked help also but I could never get them to stay on. Another thing is my expectation of "level" was a lot less in rough country vs staying in developed campgrounds as we do now. I liked to make sure my head was up and the fridge would operate OK.

**JRTJH** · 05-14-2021, 11:56 AM

We boondock as much or more than we camp in "organized campgrounds". I don't see where there's a problem with leveling any trailer, as long as the campsite is not "on the side of a mountain"... If the site is "within 4 or 5 inches of being level side to side" just use wood or Lynx blocks" under the tires on the low side. We've had as many as 7 or 8 Lynx levelers (7-8 inches off level) and the only problems we've faced is the need to find a block of firewood to place under the scissors jacks because we ran out of the "formal blocks"...

Once the trailer is level side to side, then just unhitch and level front to back.

The only "make it harder on yourself" issue that I can see is if you're unhitching, then trying to level side to side... I ALWAYS use the tow vehicle to position the trailer on the blocks, and whether it's no blocks, 1 block under each tire or 7 under each tire, it's essentially the same process, just a few extra moments to "build a Lynx ramp from Lynx blocks" so the tires will "climb the ramp"...

Now, if I tried any of this in an "unorganized, no plan of what's next" kind of haphazard process, it probably would result in just going back home... Setting up the trailer is a "mechanical process that has to follow established steps" try to do them out of sequence and it either is much more difficult or impossible to reach the end result...

lcarver02 · 05-16-2021, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truenorth

Hi,
I am wondering how to know whether the trailer is properly leveled when I set up the trailer. Do I have to purchase a large level and a pack of level blocks or is the level issue not so important?

Get two trailer levels - fair quality. Set the trailer level with a good flat place, a long level and patience. Once your level I put one level up front near the hitch for forward / aft level and the other one on the wall inside the trailer for side to side. Close is good, the fridge will be fine with a couple degrees if needed.

jxnbbl · 05-04-2022, 11:51 AM

I will just update this thread with my (not long experience) due to the positive results with the Andersen levelers that I bought on a whim. I've gone through 3 phases of devices.

1. Originally bought a camco electronic leveler (pic attached) and the lego blocks. These worked fine but every trip I'd crack another lego block and the electronic leveler...well we supplemented with a standard level.

2. Bought adhered two bubble levels on the unit (pic attached) one on the side and one on the front and also started using the camco 'rocker cocks' for leveling....the bubble levels are great accurate and we haven't used any other leveling device since. The camco rocker things...waste of money. The rubber pad didn't last 2 setups and never seemed to work correctly. The legos stayed as the main device.

3. On our first stop we stopped into Campers Inn to pick up a slide cable they were holding for me. I saw an Andersen rocker leveling/chock kit and bought it as it looked better. This trip we used these extensively. Fantastic. We only ran into one area with grass where they sank in a bit. Will *** a 2x8 or 2x10 to our truck bed for furture trips. These were well worth the money and a pleasant (somewhat) surprise as my wife was questioning the purchase after the camco 'look alike' experience.

Attached bubbles gauges and Anderson moving forward.

Bustinbeards · 05-04-2022, 04:24 PM

I carry a small level and place it on the stove when I level the trailer. Works great.

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