Leveling question

RickV · 05-16-2012, 10:36 AM

I read some older posts about leveling. How critical is it to be dead on? I am new to all this and don't want to mess anything up. Yesterday I had some clearing done and gravel placed at my house where I park my 5ver this is where the picture below was taken. Looking at the picture if I am that close to level should I worry about it? It was dead on front to back. I am obviously not a photographer.

Triguy · 05-16-2012, 10:54 AM

My two rules of leveling are:

As long as I can walk inside comfortably and fridge works correctly.

I would think what you have is good enough (as long as you are comfortable).

OldCoot · 05-16-2012, 10:58 AM

I would say it is close enough for everything to work properly, but I would try to put a 2 x 6 or 8 under the door side wheels and a 1 x 6 or 8 under the other side and see if that doesn't put it on the mark. I personally prefer to put something under the tires if I am parking for an extended time on gravel. Nothing I have read saying not to park on gravel, just a personal preference. If you prefer not to use the boards, I would pull the trailer out, rake some gravel to the door side to get it dead on level. I am fortunate enough to park on concrete and I cut 4x4 blocks on an angle and once I located the place I wanted, I spray painted the concrete around the blocks so I could replace them to the exact same spot.

LadyWindrider · 05-16-2012, 11:00 AM

Shows 1 inch low on the street side. One 2x6 board under the tires should fix it, if it bothers you any. Get a level and check your house, you'll be amazed at what you find, room to room. Also you are looking at a level attached to the camper. Is it accurate? Have you put a level in the floor and verified that one is correct?

TURBS · 05-16-2012, 11:07 AM

I like to error a little low on slide side to aid in water moving away from slide seal.

**Herk7769** · 05-16-2012, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triguy

fridge works correctly.

Other than I like my head slightly higher than my feet when I sleep, this is the "nut" of leveling.

While your fridge might "work" slightly out of level (measured across the back where the coils are), any liquid ammonia that is allowed to pool in a low spot on every coil will reduce the return flow to the reservoir and therefore efficiency.

It will stop working all together when the unit is so out of level that liquid ammonia blocks the tubing.

If you have a lot of trouble keeping the freezer cold, one of the possible causes could be a slightly out of level refrigerator.

If your fridge is located on a side of your camper, the front to back leveling is the critical one. If it is on the back wall or front wall it is side to side leveling that is important.

youroo · 05-16-2012, 11:55 AM

We leave the refrigerator on from first outing in the spring to late fall. We travel many 1000 miles over back roads,ref on auto the whole time. The last time I checked (roads are NOT level side to side or when you go up a grade) but the refrigerator still works fine. Your roads may be diffrent. Youroo!!

LadyWindrider · 05-16-2012, 12:10 PM

Your refer works while traveling due to the sloshing, and the varying amounts of unlevel. If you park your camper for a week, unlevel enough, with the fridge on, it will cease to work. It is only when parked you need to worry about level, but then not super critical.

TexasBBQ · 05-16-2012, 12:35 PM

I like that level. Much nicer than the crappy ones stuck to my rig. Looks like I need to upgrade.

RickV · 05-16-2012, 12:48 PM

Thanks for all the replies. It seems to me from the posts that I should be OK but, I could get it closer. I got in it with a 4' level and as someone posted it varied in different areas. We are taking it out for our first camping trip this weekend, I will make sure it is closer to dead level. I bought a 10 pack of the lego pads and will use them if necessary.

TURBS · 05-16-2012, 12:52 PM

I use a bubble level on the counter and call it good enough !

OldCoot · 05-16-2012, 12:53 PM

Just get out the rake and level the gravel a little. Then you can just back in and forget it! Better yet, give the rake to DW and you supervise with a long 2x4 and a level and tell her where you need more or less gravel.

OldCoot · 05-16-2012, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

I use a bubble level on the counter and call it good enough !

Don't try to kid a kidder, we know, your DW uses the level and you obey!

TURBS · 05-16-2012, 12:57 PM

man you got me down to a t !

OldCoot · 05-16-2012, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

man you got me down to a t !

Just know how it is over in Concord, NC. Can't see it being any different in the rest of the country.

TURBS · 05-16-2012, 01:05 PM

yeah I think there all sisters and its a big ploy to drive us nuts !

Rugged Brown · 05-16-2012, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herk7769

Other than I like my head slightly higher than my feet when I sleep, this is the "nut" of leveling.

Head elevated helps with the heartburn.

OldCoot · 05-16-2012, 01:13 PM

My father cut a pc of 1/2" plywood and screwed it to the 3" height of a 2x3 and slipped it under the mattress.

**Herk7769** · 05-16-2012, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youroo

We leave the refrigerator on from first outing in the spring to late fall. We travel many 1000 miles over back roads,ref on auto the whole time. The last time I checked (roads are NOT level side to side or when you go up a grade) but the refrigerator still works fine. Your roads may be diffrent. Youroo!!

The manual states why that is; Youroo...

The motion of the camper while driving assists moving the condensed liquid through the tubing. Just like Windrider said.

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