Slide out before leveling??

[fireidiot]

I was watching a video on YouTube tonight and it shows a 28RBS getting set up. It shows to put the slide out before leveling side to side. Does anyone do this? I've always been told to level side to side, front to back, drop the jacks, and then put out the slide. I looked at the Keystone manual, but it doesn't say to put the slide out first.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uij_...e_gdata_player

That's one way to do it. I don't trust that if my slides are out and I hit the brakes too hard that I won't break something. I'm also not much into crawling under slides to put blocks/boards under the tires - much easier with the slides retracted. So after trial and error, I've learned that once I have the trailer level side-to-side with the slides IN, I need to add another row of Lynx Levelers under the wheels on the slide side. Then, when the slides go out, everything is level.

[Halibutman214]

I'll go with the slide in and be happy with what I end up with. There's too many varibles with the slide out but each to their own.

[f6bits]

That seems very unwise, *especially* with the pedestal on that side. I know how much to bias the level so it evens out with the slide out.

[Jim & Kay]

Our Keystone Manual 6/1/2011, Page 54, #3 under Basic Slide-Out Tips "The unit must be leveled and stabilizer jacks extended" Our practice has always been level, stabilize, then extend slides. I do agree once the slides have been extended, it may be necessary to tweek the leveling .

[SteveC7010]

Our 326MKS has two very large slides, one on each side of the trailer. There are two much smaller slides on the street side, but they don't seem to have much effect on weight side-to-side. So level and stabilize first is my rule, too.

FWIW, the thought of running the slides out and then driving the trailer up on to boards for side-to-side leveling gives me all kinds of visions of tragedy and catastrophic damage.

[LarryL]

I agree, stabilize first, then put slides out,relax
and have a

[flc]

My last trailer had one huge superslide and one smaller bedroom slide on the same side of the trailer. After a little experimenting I just raised that side by one 1x10, then put the stabilizers down. When I opened the slides it settled level. I would not open the slides before I leveled!

[f6bits]

I’m shocked that Pete’s would post such unwise advice. Not only does he advocate moving the trailer with the slide out, but he’s using a TriLevel that’s not big enough for the tire’s footprint, *and* he’s only leveling one wheel. Granted, sometimes I need to level one wheel a bit more than another due to ground slope or 1” on both wheels is too much. But a 1x10 under each wheel on that side is far better than that TriLevel setup he shows.

I’d also throw blocks under the stabilizers – especially if I’m not on pavement and/or the stabilizer extends as far as the Pete’s video showed.

[SAD]

Position, level, stabilize, slides out.

[Fireman640]

the way i did was backinto spot put your level under both sides go see where u are unlevel pull forward add to the side that is unlevel. If you have slides on one side what i did was went a half of bubble off then once i let the slides out it was right in the center chocke wheels unhook level front to back then stablize then let slides out

[Philip Saran]

Nobody has commented on stationary supports for the
slide out itself.

I have two stationary supports that are added after the
slide is put out.

[Festus2]

I may be wrong but I think the general feeling about supporting the extended slide with supports is not favourable. The thinking is that the supports may make the slide more stable but while doing that create an upward stress/force on the slide mechanism and structure. The external supports do, in a way, eliminate any flex and make the slide too rigid.
This topic has been discussed here on the forum so you might want to do a forum search of slide supports to see what others have to say.

[Jim & Kay]

I agree with Festus, after having tried the slide supports on different RVs, gave unfavorable results, now they are standing in the garage collecting dust. But if your supports work for you, by all means go for it. Happy Camping!!!!!!

[LarryL]

I just brought a pair of slide supports,used at the
last campground.have them on the dining side,they
work great.just snug them up,do not try to raise the
slide. think about it,the slide is just hanging off
the trailer when it's out so a little support can't hurt.

[happytrails]

Originally Posted by LarryL

I just brought a pair of slide supports,used at the
last campground.have them on the dining side,they
work great.just snug them up,do not try to raise the
slide. think about it,the slide is just hanging off
the trailer when it's out so a little support can't hurt.

Although I have not read anything in my manual, I too was considering these supports, but everything I have read in forums and my dealer has said STAY AWAY from these. What you say makes sense to me, but my gut says listen to what the forums and dealer has said.

[rhagfo]

The way I see it slide outs are fully self supporting.
The bar supports still have almost 5' under the trailer to support the 3' of extision. If that isn't enough consider the face trim that supports the entire unit when it is all the way out.