leveling

Blacktail · 09-21-2011, 05:47 PM

Sorry this may be a stupid questionbut when leveling my dual axle trailer what is the best way to do this? Do i need blocks under boith tiers on the one side or is just one tire ok?

Thanks

jq1031 · 09-21-2011, 05:56 PM

Depending on the ground your sitting on & more is always better than less. Most important is to block the wheels BEFORE unhooking. Also level side to side before unhooking.

Blacktail · 09-21-2011, 06:08 PM

ok thanks. Go hunting next month and the place we go and the way we set camp i will be leaning to one side. Every place i camped this summer was level. Lucky!

SteveC7010 · 09-21-2011, 06:26 PM

In most situations, you'll want to place blocks under both tires on the side you need to raise up. That way both sets of springs and the shackle should be equally loaded.

I use pieces of 2x10 dimensional lumber cut to about 12-16" in length. Some use a 4 or 5 foot long single piece, but there is a hazard associated with a longer board; if it flips up when you drive on or off it, it's long enough to do some damage to the underside of the trailer. With the shorter pieces, it is very difficult for that to happen.

Some folks really like the plastic leveling blocks available at CW and elsewhere.

I lock the wheels in place with homemade device that I think works better than most of the store bought ones:

I also like to place wooden blocks under the stabilizer jacks. It spreads the load if the ground is soft, and the jacks don't extend out so far. I think they are not very stable when fully extended.

I use the same blocks under the landing gear, again to spread the load a bit further than the feet on the posts.

Blacktail · 09-21-2011, 07:27 PM

I realy like your wheel lock! Looks like it works very well.

Festus2 · 09-21-2011, 07:36 PM

Steve:
I also made and use the same home-made wheel chocks. Cheap, easy to make and effective.

SteveC7010 · 09-21-2011, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blacktail

I realy like your wheel lock! Looks like it works very well.

It works very well, even on some pretty steep slopes.

I can't take credit for the idea as I borrowed it from a good friend in the Sunline Owners Club. I think he saw one over on RVnet.net and then made his own.

It is just a couple of pieces of 4x4 and some 1/2" threaded rod, nuts, and washers. I got fancy and used an eye bolt on one end so I could hang them when not in use.

I picked up a 3/4" wrench to tighten and loosen them. Got the one with the racheting box end for about $12 at Lowes. And that is the same size that's used for the BAL scissors stabilizer. It's great for minor adjustments on the stabilizers although I still use the drill driver to run them up or down.

jq1031 · 09-22-2011, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blacktail

ok thanks. Go hunting next month and the place we go and the way we set camp i will be leaning to one side. Every place i camped this summer was level. Lucky!

I use the plastic yellow leveling ramps available a camping world, they really simplify the job as you pull up only as far a needed.

cumminsdad08 · 09-22-2011, 03:22 PM

x 2 on the plastic. i got mine from wally world. i forget the price, but cheap enough. i like the plastic ones cause they are small and fit nice in my storage compartment. they stack nice and don't really slip. i was able to pull the trailer onto 3 high already without steping them up. i also perfer them over wooden blocks because i can make my wife and kids go fetch them for me

and where are you camping where it is level side to side, i need to find those places.

Rowdy51 · 09-23-2011, 04:29 PM

Really like the homemade wheel chocks..., will have to build a set for mine.

Thanks for sharing!
Safe Travels,
Tom

Festus2 · 09-23-2011, 04:39 PM

Tom: I can't remember the site where I took the plans for the chocks from but if you do a Google search for "Home-made Wheel Chocks" I am quite sure you will come across that site with the diagram.

Rowdy51 · 09-23-2011, 05:07 PM

Perfect - THANKS! Did a quick search and have it bookmarked.

riversat · 09-24-2011, 06:56 PM

For those of you with a Keystone that has a spread axle system like on my Passport 300BH, BAL offers an extended version of the X-Chock. I have been using one for several months now. It works great. Do not think a homemade set would work or be easy to install......

chuck&gail · 10-03-2011, 06:52 AM

I prefer Rotochoks for between wheels up on plastic leveling blocks. Works great for me. I use cheap plastic wedge chocks for tires on ground.

BE SURE to chock both sides, ALWAYS, or some day you will be chasing your trailer. Seen it happen, not funny.

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