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Old 05-22-2018, 04:55 AM   #1
Bisjoe
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Leveling while still connected

We have an upcoming long weekend trip, and have no need to un-hitch while there. If I need to raise the front of the trailer to level it at the campground, is there any problem with having it still connected, and the back of the truck coming up some and staying that way for two nights??
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Old 05-22-2018, 04:57 AM   #2
Javi
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Too easy to unhook and not worry about it..
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Old 05-22-2018, 05:08 AM   #3
t_dogg80
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This. Just unhook it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Javi View Post
Too easy to unhook and not worry about it..
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Old 05-22-2018, 05:18 AM   #4
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In a risk vs reward situation you are on the losing end. Unhook it. It is how things are done.
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Old 05-22-2018, 05:21 AM   #5
66joej
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Chock the wheels and unhook the coupler. The rest can stay hooked up.
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Old 05-22-2018, 05:50 AM   #6
sourdough
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I agree with all the rest.....just unhook it. Takes all of 3 minutes - no upside to not unhooking.
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Old 05-22-2018, 06:03 AM   #7
Bisjoe
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OK, got it!
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Old 05-22-2018, 06:03 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bisjoe View Post
We have an upcoming long weekend trip, and have no need to un-hitch while there.
The only time not un-hitching would make sense that I can think of is if it's a quick sleep stop and nothing else is needed to be used during that time. I agree with the others that you should pretty much always un-hitch.
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Old 05-22-2018, 06:06 AM   #9
JRTJH
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Unhook and then level. There's no need to stay hooked up, no need to add the extra weight of lifting the truck bed using the front gear (that aren't that big anyway) and in the event of an emergency or even a need for a loaf of bread, no need to have to essentially "undo" everything by getting it back to 'road ready" status so you can unhitch and use the truck "solo"....

Just unhitch when setting up, it's easier on the equipment and gets you a truck if you need it.
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Old 05-22-2018, 07:07 AM   #10
Barbell
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My rig will not level itself while hooked up because the first action of the auto level system is to lower the nose well below the hook-up level. it may (or may not) raise the front jacks off the ground trying to dip the nose of the rig. Unhook.
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Old 05-22-2018, 07:24 AM   #11
goducks
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If you're only talking about an inch or tow then no biggie to stay hitched. My concern would be needing to walk from one side to the other while connected. You'd always be climbing over the a frame or walking around the front of the truck or rear of the TT.
I would probably unhitch for a two night stay. One nighters I'd leave it hitched.
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Old 05-22-2018, 09:02 AM   #12
captbozy
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Stupid is as stupid does

I know that I would forget and jump in the truck pull out and mess all my jacks up. Maybe not the first day or second .
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Old 05-22-2018, 09:09 AM   #13
mfifield01
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I will stay hooked up if it's a quick overnight stop. I will level the trailer side to side. I try to get it level front to back. I utilize the truck's air suspension to raise or lower the front (+-2"). I always disconnect the 7-pin.
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Old 06-07-2018, 08:05 AM   #14
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If we are fairly level I do it manually since as mentioned b4 the auto level can't drop down to position for auto level.
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Old 06-07-2018, 08:12 AM   #15
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We do it all the time (stay hooked up) for one-nighters and yes, I level front to back if necessary by using the electric tongue jack to raise the front of the trailer (and the rear of the truck). We have done this many a night and have not had any problem so far. Now having said this, if I have to raise it several inches I either find another spot or unhook.
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Old 06-07-2018, 08:51 AM   #16
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Famous weasel words, "it depends", "your mileage may vary (YMMV)". Although you have a travel trailer, the same criteria apply as for our fifth wheel. I have towed both.

We have a fifth wheel with automatic leveling. We will unhook for two nights or longer, but may not for overnight stops. Procedure for quick overnights:

1. If manual bubble levels indicate within 1 or 2 degrees of 0, stay hooked up and leave it alone. Don't put extra stress on the truck or trailer.

Jacks may be used only enough to take some of the bounce out of the trailer tires. If you do this, use the manual mode, not the auto level function. BE CAREFUL! If you are new to the manual mode, it is possible to twist the trailer frame. It depends on what you are comfortable with. Same cautions apply for manual scissor jack deployment.

2. If the trailer needs leveling, we follow normal unhook procedures, but only pull the truck far enough forward to clear the pin from the plate, and then use auto level. Re-hooking in the morning will just be a manual alignment of the pin to the plate slot and backing up a few inches.
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Old 06-07-2018, 11:20 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scarlson42 View Post
Famous weasel words, "it depends", "your mileage may vary (YMMV)". Although you have a travel trailer, the same criteria apply as for our fifth wheel. I have towed both.

We have a fifth wheel with automatic leveling. We will unhook for two nights or longer, but may not for overnight stops. Procedure for quick overnights:

1. If manual bubble levels indicate within 1 or 2 degrees of 0, stay hooked up and leave it alone. Don't put extra stress on the truck or trailer.

Jacks may be used only enough to take some of the bounce out of the trailer tires. If you do this, use the manual mode, not the auto level function. BE CAREFUL! If you are new to the manual mode, it is possible to twist the trailer frame. It depends on what you are comfortable with. Same cautions apply for manual scissor jack deployment.

2. If the trailer needs leveling, we follow normal unhook procedures, but only pull the truck far enough forward to clear the pin from the plate, and then use auto level. Re-hooking in the morning will just be a manual alignment of the pin to the plate slot and backing up a few inches.

I would recommend to Never, Ever do this.
If you use auto level, be sure the truck is completely clear of the 5er.
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Old 06-07-2018, 11:42 AM   #18
Ken / Claudia
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Are you going to a RV park or camp ground with RV pads? If so I will bet they are close to being level.
This is what I do, when stopping for the night and leave in morning. Since the pads are normally level or damn close.
I put down the jacks and tongue to make a solid contact. Check the bubbles and damn near level than stay hooked up to truck.
If not level, disconnect is what I do.
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Old 06-07-2018, 03:11 PM   #19
scarlson42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harleydodge View Post
I would recommend to Never, Ever do this.
If you use auto level, be sure the truck is completely clear of the 5er.
Is your concern that the auto level will run amok and completely retract the front jacks?

If that’s the concern, it’s not a problem for me since I always extend the front jacks to within a few inches of the ground using the locking pins before turning on the leveling system. Please state your exact concerns.
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Old 06-07-2018, 03:33 PM   #20
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I agree, NEVER, EVER level without moving your truck completely clear!!!
It has to drop the front nearly all the way before it starts the auto level sequence & doesn't care or stop if your trucks in the way, that thin fiberglass/filon is no match for the corners of your truck bed. It's not "running amok", but doing exactly as its supposed to.
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