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Old 05-31-2016, 08:24 PM   #1
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Interesting dilemma level TT or level tongue?

Interesting dilemma when figuring coupler height. We have always leveled the WJ forward/aft using a 3' level placed on the flood between the front door and the ref. (pic#1) Today I placed a speed level on the TT tongue and noticed a difference in readings between the two levels (pics #2 & #3). The difference having the tongue level is an approximate 2" in height of coupler. WEIRD

Question: is it better to have a level TT or a level tongue when setting up your SLWD hitch system????
It would seem to me if I use a level tongue in this case our TT would be lower in the aft.....not good on tires, etc.

What do you think.
Thanks for your inputs.
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Old 05-31-2016, 08:39 PM   #2
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I would go with the level on the floor , you could use the tongue l where the level if you remember where the bubble lays. What does side to side look like on the hitch compared to the floor?
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Old 06-01-2016, 06:52 AM   #3
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Have you checked the floor of the trailer with the same level that you used on the tongue or vice versa to see if the difference is in the levels and not the trailer? I have 2 torpedo levels, like the one in pic 2, and they each give me a slightly different measurement.

I always level mine when I'm going to measure the coupler height by measuring the side of the trailer to the ground in the front and again in the back and making the measurements the same by raising and lowering the tongue. I have a WJ also and it has a strip down the side where the side of the trailer joins the skirt, I measure there. This way the trailer is parallel to the ground and the coupler height will be the same regardless of the levelness of the ground.
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Old 06-01-2016, 07:26 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by strat56 View Post
Have you checked the floor of the trailer with the same level that you used on the tongue or vice versa to see if the difference is in the levels and not the trailer? I have 2 torpedo levels, like the one in pic 2, and they each give me a slightly different measurement.

I always level mine when I'm going to measure the coupler height by measuring the side of the trailer to the ground in the front and again in the back and making the measurements the same by raising and lowering the tongue. I have a WJ also and it has a strip down the side where the side of the trailer joins the skirt, I measure there. This way the trailer is parallel to the ground and the coupler height will be the same regardless of the levelness of the ground.
strat56
I like the idea of measuring distance of the TT from grd....
I'll double check the consistency of the two levels.
thanks for the tip
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Old 06-01-2016, 07:42 AM   #5
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I used a 2' level on the floor when I set up my WDH to ensure the trailer was level. Measuring is a good way to go also. The small 6" level in IMHO does not give an accurate indication of level over the 29' from back to tongue on my rig.
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Old 06-01-2016, 11:59 AM   #6
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Everything that requires the trailer to be level is related to the floor - your refrigerator and the gravity flow pipes, plus of course your comfort. So, I go by the floor and use a 2' level. In mine, I noticed that the level on the floor is slightly different than on the countertop.
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Old 06-01-2016, 04:18 PM   #7
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A fairly level spot helps as well. My hitch instructions says to measure frame to ground at the extreme front and extreme rear with trailer on level ground. But it isn't rocket science.
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Old 06-01-2016, 04:21 PM   #8
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Level the fridge.

If the floor is close to that call it a weekend and camp happy.
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Old 06-01-2016, 06:45 PM   #9
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Level the fridge.

If the floor is close to that call it a weekend and camp happy.
You know what else is a good indicator?
Cabinet doors and bathroom doors! I swear I have gotten the TT level at a few readings, and the doors will sway one way or the other if you open them half way and see what they do.
Plus I like just a "slight" up hill on the bed. If I sleep with it slightly down I get a head ache. Just my 2 cents worth.

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Old 06-01-2016, 06:46 PM   #10
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I thought it was about setting Ball height? Not about a soufflé turning out poorly.
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Old 06-02-2016, 06:43 PM   #11
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I thought it was about setting Ball height? Not about a soufflé turning out poorly.
WW
Oh my bad!
I thought he/she wanted to level the unit before adjusting Ball height. But since the thread didn't contain the word "level". Oh wait, "level" was there 5 times! Silly me! I assumed the unit should be level BEFORE adjusting the height! Guess not.
BTW, I thought Wolf Whistling went out in the 70's? No?
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Old 06-06-2016, 07:10 AM   #12
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Oh my bad!
I thought he/she wanted to level the unit before adjusting Ball height. But since the thread didn't contain the word "level". Oh wait, "level" was there 5 times! Silly me! I assumed the unit should be level BEFORE adjusting the height! Guess not.
BTW, I thought Wolf Whistling went out in the 70's? No?
Let me speak slower so some hard-headed people can understand. Try to follow along, and grasp the concept before engaging keyboard and revealing your ignorance. The issue for those wise acres... especially those of the ornery variety, is that level for setting ball height had nothing to do with cabinet doors or the fridge or even the stove; maybe the floor would work...rather it is all about the frame to ground measurement taken at the front and at the back. Everything in and on an RV frame don't reach level at the same point, so forget about things inside. If the range is out of level, that would concern me (one cleverly named) after set up on a site, not while towing. And, yes you said it well when you said you were silly. But, one thing I can do is read instructions not based on conjecture and innuendo. Get off the floor and learn.
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Old 06-06-2016, 07:30 AM   #13
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Measuring frame to ground might work with your rig, but mine has two different size frame rails between front and back, the only common level item attached to the frame is the floor. My 2' level on the floor works well for leveling my trailer for setting ball height or setting up camp. Funny thing about brain surgery each doctor has a different idea on how to do it if the end result works who cares.
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Old 06-06-2016, 09:02 AM   #14
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Seadog... Right you are. But we have to consider the OP and helping the best way we know how. We should be more respectful or be silent
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Old 06-06-2016, 09:25 AM   #15
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I agree thats the thing I like about this forum. I hope the OP takes the info in with a grain of salt (including mine) and decides what is best for them.
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Old 06-06-2016, 11:51 AM   #16
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I like to read the opinions and advice from other FRF members but you are correct....it's what work best for our set-up and keeps us safe while towing the TT
Thanks for the insights.

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Old 06-06-2016, 12:06 PM   #17
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Looks like your levels are broken. Fluid leaked out and there's an air bubble in them.
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Old 06-08-2016, 05:32 AM   #18
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Looks like your levels are broken. Fluid leaked out and there's an air bubble in them.
x2, Its a common problem buy American
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