5h wheel overnight parking while hitched up

[boubou]

Other half insists on bring front jacks on 5th wheel) down while hitched up overnight (as well as rear) for stability.
I wonder if that put strain on the pin?

[Witch Doctor]

When I do not unhitch, I always put down all the gear just enough to stabilize the unit from movement. I really do not pick it up off the plate on the fifth wheel but it will help with the movement. I have a Rockwood 31'. The rear helps the most, but I have not found any damage by doing it.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by boubou

Other half insists on bring front jacks on 5th wheel) down while hitched up overnight (as well as rear) for stability.
I wonder if that put strain on the pin?

How would it put stress on pin?

[Herk7769]

Brigitte,

For what it is worth, I disconnect even for short overnight stops.

The reason is that my fridge is not level when connected to the truck.
Operating the fridge that much out of level for hours will most likely overheat the absorption system resulting in eventual hardening of the boiler and coolant leaks.

Operating out of level when traveling is not a problem as the liquid coolant will "slosh" itself back down into the boiler keeping it from overheating.

Trying to "lift" the truck with the front landing gear to level the camper while connected will most likely over stress the gear drive and eventually break a tooth. Then you will be stuck with the landing gear inoperative. It also will not do your hitch any good either.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Brigitte,

For what it is worth, I disconnect even for short overnight stops.

The reason is that my fridge is not level when connected to the truck.
Operating the fridge that much out of level for hours will most likely overheat the absorption system resulting in eventual hardening of the boiler and coolant leaks.

Operating out of level when traveling is not a problem as the liquid coolant will "slosh" itself back down into the boiler keeping it from overheating.

Trying to "lift" the truck with the front landing gear to level the camper while connected will most likely over stress the gear drive and eventually break a tooth. Then you will be stuck with the landing gear inoperative. It also will not do your hitch any good either.

I gather that your trailer is not level while towing? I guess we're lucky, our fridge is in the back wall and the trailer is also level while towing. We never unhook, just run the landing jacks down to stabilize and don't even run the rear jacks down.

[boubou]

Yea, trailer not level. Dealer said close enough and i say not. Will look into this when I get back home. In the mean time, I guess I need to un-hitch. Not a big deal, just pull the bar and drive off lol.
Thanks guys! As always, you come the rescue!

[youroo]

If you are happy with the 1/2 Ton put Air bags on it to level. Youroo!!

[boubou]

Originally Posted by youroo

If you are happy with the 1/2 Ton put Air bags on it to level. Youroo!!

Pretty happy, but problem is truck is too high so airbags wont't lift the 5th wheel, just the TV backend. Need to get the 5th wheel axles flipped or something....
Going to call manufacturer and get their seal pf approval prior getting anything done tho. In writing

[boubou]

Soooo, took a whole 2 minutes off my evening and un-hitched and level. No more stay hooked up for us until 5th wheel is more level.
Thanks again

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by boubou

Pretty happy, but problem is truck is too high so airbags wont't lift the 5th wheel, just the TV backend. Need to get the 5th wheel axles flipped or something....
Going to call manufacturer and get their seal pf approval prior getting anything done tho. In writing

Is the truck jacked up?

[boubou]

Nope, but it's 4X4 on 20" tires.
(should have gotten 17 back when got the truck but knew nothing about trucks back then)

[bakken]

Originally Posted by boubou

Pretty happy, but problem is truck is too high so airbags wont't lift the 5th wheel, just the TV backend. Need to get the 5th wheel axles flipped or something....
Going to call manufacturer and get their seal pf approval prior getting anything done tho. In writing

That's why I like my old beater Ford, as even though it is a 3/4 ton with high profile tires, the box is still much lower than my new Ram 1/2 ton.
I really don't know what the truck manufacturers were thinking when they designed these things, other than trying to appeal to city people who wanted to look cool.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by boubou

Nope, but it's 4X4 on 20" tires.
(should have gotten 17 back when got the truck but knew nothing about trucks back then)

Think I would be visiting junk yards for 17" wheels or advertising to swap the 20"s for 17"'s