Quote:
Originally Posted by roadglide
JRJTH the best way then would be level the wheels then lower the landing gear and add blocks as needed having the legs make contact on the ground the same time normally its not more then 1 inch block needed to level a leg, That is my procedure. I see it all the time folks lower there landing gear in unlevel areas and thinking there could be frame damage.
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Your method is one easy way to accomplish the "unlevel side to side" issue. I believe you're saying that you count the holes and extend your jacks the same distance and use blocks to compensate for any difference. ????
What I do, which for me seems easier (and does the same thing), is level the trailer side to side with blocks under the tires, then just put a single jack pad under each "front jack" and extend the legs to the closest hole to the pad and lift the trailer using the jacks. It doesn't matter if one jack is 10 holes and one jack is 14 holes. The trailer frame is "level" so the jacks can be different lengths (or they can be the same length with blocks to compensate) either way, the frame remains level.
It doesn't matter if you "provide a level block for the jacks to sit on" or if you "level the jacks by extending them to touch the blocks". Both ways work.
And, yes, you're correct (I think) in saying that an "inch or so" doesn't make a difference. What does matter (I believe) is when you have 3 or 4 inches of "off level" and try to compensate by using the stabilizer jack on the rear and the landing gear jack on the front to lift that complete side of the trailer. That will cause a "bow in the middle" and twist the frame....
The "analogy" in a couple of posts is "that's how the level-up system" works.... No, it isn't quite the same. The "4 point level-up system" is mounted about 3' behind the axles and uses the landing gear jacks. The 6 point level up system is mounted about 3' behind the axles, about 3' forward of the axles and also uses the front landing gear jacks... Those "level-up" systems support the chassis frame "along the middle and ends" while the "make do" system of stabilizer jacks (not intended to support as much weight) and the landing gear system only supports the chassis frame rails at the ends.... The difference being where the frame is supported so it won't bend in the middle.....