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05-22-2018, 04:55 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Sammamish
Posts: 256
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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??
__________________
2017 Springdale 202QBWE, 2017 F150 XLT 5.0
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05-22-2018, 04:57 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Waco, Tx
Posts: 5,456
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Too easy to unhook and not worry about it..
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2015 Ford F350 DRW 6.7 Diesel XL
2020 Avalanche 313 RS
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05-22-2018, 05:08 AM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Kelowna
Posts: 24
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This. Just unhook it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Javi
Too easy to unhook and not worry about it..
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2018 Keystone Hideout 28BHSWE
2013 Dodge Ram 2500 CTD
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05-22-2018, 05:18 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 6,308
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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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Jim in Memphis, Wife of 51 years is Brenda
2019 F450 6.7 Powerstroke
2018 Mobile Suites 40RSSA
2021 40' Jayco Eagle
2001 Road king w/matching Harley sidecar
2021 Yamaha X2 Wolverine 1000
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05-22-2018, 05:21 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: radium hot springs bc
Posts: 2,007
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Chock the wheels and unhook the coupler. The rest can stay hooked up.
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2018 Ram 3500 6.4 Harvest Edition
2018 Cougar 27RESWE
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05-22-2018, 05:50 AM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,600
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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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Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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05-22-2018, 06:03 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Sammamish
Posts: 256
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OK, got it!
__________________
2017 Springdale 202QBWE, 2017 F150 XLT 5.0
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05-22-2018, 06:03 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 286
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bisjoe
We have an upcoming long weekend trip, and have no need to un-hitch while there.
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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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2018 Springdale Summerland Series 3030BH
2018 Ram 2500 HD 6.4L Hemi Big Horn 4x4
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05-22-2018, 06:06 AM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,841
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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.
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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05-22-2018, 07:07 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Arizona
Posts: 375
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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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05-22-2018, 07:24 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Or
Posts: 172
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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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05-22-2018, 09:02 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 16
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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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05-22-2018, 09:09 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 834
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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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(SOLD) 2015 Keystone Passport 2810BH
2013 Ram 1500 Hemi 8-speed 3.92 Air Suspension
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06-07-2018, 08:05 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Young America MN
Posts: 372
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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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06-07-2018, 08:12 AM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Palm Coast, FL
Posts: 64
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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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06-07-2018, 08:51 AM
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#16
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Fenton
Posts: 13
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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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06-07-2018, 11:20 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Kingston
Posts: 295
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scarlson42
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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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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2013 Raptor 310ts Toy Hauler
2017 Dodge Ram 6.7l CTD DRW Laramie Longhorn
2008 FLHTC Harley.
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06-07-2018, 11:42 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Fruitland
Posts: 3,357
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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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2013 24RKSWE (27ft TT) Cougar 1/2 ton series SOLD 10-2021
2013 Ford F350 4x4 CC 6.7 engine, 8 ft bed, 3.55 rear end, lariat package
Retired from Oregon State Police in 2011 than worked another 9.5 years as a small town traffic cop:
As of 05-2020, I am all done with 39 years total police work. No more uniforms for me.
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06-07-2018, 03:11 PM
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#19
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Fenton
Posts: 13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harleydodge
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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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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06-07-2018, 03:33 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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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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Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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