How do you find level? - Page 2

SaskCampers · 05-12-2013, 07:11 AM

I carry a 3ft stanley carpenters level, put it on the bedroom door jam to level front to back (fridge is on the passengers side) and on the floor inside the door for side to side. We always level with the slides in so that when we put them out the slide side goes a bit low to keep most water away from the slide seal in the event of foul weather. Fridge always works perfectly.

bakken · 05-12-2013, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acadianbob

X2! I don't think one needs to obsess about it. I just put a torpedo level on the floor by the outside door; level side-to-side; and then front to back. That's been working on the same trailer for 6 years now without any issues.

Indeed. For me, it is more important for the camper to "feel" level to me.
I also just level according to the floor. The fridge isn't that fussy that it has to be perfectly level.

bakken · 05-12-2013, 07:23 AM

One other point.
Once you get it level and then use the 'stick-on' levels, there is no way that those will give you a very accurate reading. So best to just start by using the floor and a carpenter's level.

kc8lvy · 05-12-2013, 07:42 AM

I just use a 2 foot carpenters level and I put it on the front access door of the camper to check the side to side then use a board if needed under the tires then unhook from truck and level front to back on by putting my level on my side access door and raise or lower my front jack stabs till level then drop my rear stabilizers. I double checked the first time I did this in various spots in the camper and it was level so I just level from outside now and all is good.

OldCoot · 05-12-2013, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bakken

One other point.
Once you get it level and then use the 'stick-on' levels, there is no way that those will give you a very accurate reading. So best to just start by using the floor and a carpenter's level.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bakken

Indeed. For me, it is more important for the camper to "feel" level to me.
I also just level according to the floor. The fridge isn't that fussy that it has to be perfectly level.

Confusing, if it has to feel level and the frig is not that fussy, why not get the stick on levels applied with a regular carpenters level and then just use them and forget the carpenters level?

kc8lvy · 05-12-2013, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bakken

One other point.
Once you get it level and then use the 'stick-on' levels, there is no way that those will give you a very accurate reading. So best to just start by using the floor and a carpenter's level.

I bought some cheaply stick on levels got the camper level then stuck them on. Next time I went camping I just went by those levels and it was way off. If I invest in another set they will be better set. For now I will just go with my carpenters level.

bakken · 05-12-2013, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Confusing, if it has to feel level and the frig is not that fussy, why not get the stick on levels applied with a regular carpenters level and then just use them and forget the carpenters level?

Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear.
I meant to use a carpenter's level on the floor, to get the camper level, so that the stick-on levels can be applied.
What I was intending is that trying to use the fridge as the basis for level was kindof pointless, as the stick-on levels don't have that much accuracy anyway.

bakken · 05-12-2013, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kc8lvy

I bought some cheaply stick on levels got the camper level then stuck them on. Next time I went camping I just went by those levels and it was way off. If I invest in another set they will be better set. For now I will just go with my carpenters level.

There are definitely better ones. I had a set with the steel balls in them, and they were terrible. The balls seemed to drag, and they never worked properly. It seems the bubble ones work best, and the bigger the better.

OldCoot · 05-12-2013, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kc8lvy

I bought some cheaply stick on levels got the camper level then stuck them on. Next time I went camping I just went by those levels and it was way off. If I invest in another set they will be better set. For now I will just go with my carpenters level.

Found out years ago that the stick on levels once applied originally had to be secured with stainless steel screws to remain in the correct position. Once that was done, they are as good as anything, but if left just to the adhesive, they are useless.

kc8lvy · 05-12-2013, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bakken

There are definitely better ones. I had a set with the steel balls in them, and they were terrible. The balls seemed to drag, and they never worked properly. It seems the bubble ones work best, and the bigger the better.

That was the same set I bought. The one fell off already and I am going to remove the other one. I agree with you about the bubble ones and the bigger the better.

kc8lvy · 05-12-2013, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Found out years ago that the stick on levels once applied originally had to be secured with stainless steel screws to remain in the correct position. Once that was done, they are as good as anything, but if left just to the adhesive, they are useless.

The adhesive on mine was not very good. They were a bb ball level and the ball would not move unless you tapped on it. That's what I get for buying a cheap cheap set. Next ones will be better and I will probably mount them to the access doors with screws so they stay level.

Dave Lyon · 05-12-2013, 08:18 AM

A two foot level on the rear bumper to level side-to-side; then level on front frame under the entry door for front-to-back level. I then put a bubble level inside on the counter and floor to verify.

OldCoot · 05-12-2013, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kc8lvy

The adhesive on mine was not very good. They were a bb ball level and the ball would not move unless you tapped on it. That's what I get for buying a cheap cheap set. Next ones will be better and I will probably mount them to the access doors with screws so they stay level.

I used the little Hoppy bubble levels and attached with ss screws. Worked great once securely attached. When we got the new 5ver, got the big level and installed just above the pinbox and I like it as I can see when backing up or pulling on a site where it is level side to side while still in the truck. Much easier and then all I have to do is raise or lower the trailer to level fore/aft.

MC9 · 05-12-2013, 08:23 AM

I don't understand what all the fuss is about. Don't you have a button inside an access panel that does all that?

ChooChooMan74 · 05-12-2013, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MC9

I don't understand what all the fuss is about. Don't you have a button inside an access panel that does all that?

That option probably costs more than my entire Roo :-P

rm373 · 05-12-2013, 08:30 AM

Hmmm, there are probably a 150 different ways to level a unit but I have to agree (not that it matters) with Himcules on this one. An RV fridge is a very basic absorption system and although it needs to be fairly level to work properly I can't imagine that any would be installed so unlevel from the floor that it wouldn't work.
That would make for a very crappy installation and at that point I would be concerned about how the rest if the unit was put together.

Again, there are many ways to level a unit and whatever you are comfortable with is the method you should use.

I use a 2' level on the floor and my son makes fun of me.

grayfox · 05-12-2013, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCoot

A general rule of thumb used with the newer models is "if it is comfortable walking in the camper, it is good for the refrigerator"

Our refrig. in in the rear wall, so if I am level side to side according to the big level on the pinbox. I'm good to go. I set the pinbox level by leveling off the bottom side trim molding and the rear trim molding which is close enough for me.

X-3

garbonz · 05-12-2013, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCoot

We use this and get readings for front to back and side to side.

X2.

I adjusted it to level using a variety of locations on the camper and just use it.

Plus I have my intellijack system that automatically levels from front to back. It is a bit of a luxury but I really like it.

Joe_GA · 05-12-2013, 09:20 AM

I'm surprised that nobody mentioned the stove. I have played the various games of leveling in different places only to have an egg run all the way to the back of the frying pan. So I calibrated my auto leveling system for a level stove. BTW, it's not an exact science!

bakken · 05-12-2013, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe_GA

I'm surprised that nobody mentioned the stove. I have played the various games of leveling in different places only to have an egg run all the way to the back of the frying pan. So I calibrated my auto leveling system for a level stove. BTW, it's not an exact science!

You would think that for the price we pay for some of these units, they could install the stinkin stove level!

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