Level before or after Slides are put out??

dfoxhoven · 10-05-2016, 09:53 AM

I know this is an ongoing debate, and I thought I read somewhere that Coachman suggests leveling the TT first, lowering the stabilizer jacks, then putting out the slides as the slide mechanisms need it to be level. I parked the TT at home after purchase and did just that, Leveled, put stab jacks down, then put slide out, and found that my trailer sat quite unlevel with everything sloping to the side of the slideouts. I have 2 slides, so they're heavy and going to really move the TT, so now what...do we just have to deal with being in an unlevel TT (it's quite uncomfortable laying or sitting when you feel everything leaning one way). Just curious as to what other people do. My old TT, a KZ Spree, I used to level TT 1 mark on the bubble away from Slide knowing when I put slide out, it would then be level, I then put the Stab Jacks down to secure, but I don't want to ruin the slide mechanism doing it this way if I shouldn't be. Any feedback is appreciated!!

Iggy · 10-05-2016, 09:55 AM

Level before slides go out.

If you are not level after you put the slides out I would guess you didn't level properly on solid ground.

dfoxhoven · 10-05-2016, 09:56 AM

Ok, but then how in the world do you keep the TT level when 2 slides are going to make the whole thing lean one way?

JohnVtx · 10-05-2016, 10:05 AM

Once you are leveled and jacks are deployed, the slides out should not change your position.

jk510 · 10-05-2016, 10:15 AM

But they do!

rockfordroo · 10-05-2016, 10:32 AM

Figure out how much your slides change your level. Then when you "level" before the slides are out, account for that.

In other words, if your slides cause your level to drop by 3 degrees, level your unit 3 degrees off the other way, so when the slides go out, it brings it level.

AquaMan · 10-05-2016, 10:41 AM

I had 3 slides on one side and just one on the other on my 5er. I always favored the one slide side just a little when leveling before deploying the slides. Once you set up a few times, you'll learn just how much is necessary to be level once the slides are out.

SeaDog · 10-05-2016, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Figure out how much your slides change your level. Then when you "level" before the slides are out, account for that.

In other words, if your slides cause your level to drop by 3 degrees, level your unit 3 degrees off the other way, so when the slides go out, it brings it level.

X2 I have found that 1/4 of a bubble on my 2' level to the slide side brings me to level with the slides out.

raspivey · 10-05-2016, 11:12 AM

What will sometimes happen is that, as the slides go out, the jacks on that side will dig in a little if not on a hard surface or maybe even flex a little. The other side will actually lift somewhat as well which is why I always snug up my jacks again after the slides come out. Longer trailers will tend to flex a little in the middle as well. X Chocks or similar may help a little with the flexing / leaning as well as using a cheap screw jack under the frame by the wheels and, as has been said, just level a little off to the other side.

uhduh camping · 10-05-2016, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaDog

X2 I have found that 1/4 of a bubble on my 2' level to the slide side brings me to level with the slides out.

X3 I have 2 slides on one side. If I don't leave that side a little higher before running slides out I'm out of level later. I been on all surfaces none of them make any difference. Stabilizers always down tight to ground. I ready don't see being a inch high on one side to start will affect slide operation (always level front to back though). Doing it while on the side of a mountain just might have a profound affect.

itat · 10-05-2016, 12:02 PM

You have to level before putting the slide out. Once the slide is out, you shouldn't be moving your camper.

I have a 16' long super slide in my TT but it only has the U dinette and sofa in it - no heavy appliances. It doesn't change the slope when I put it out. If yours does affect the slope, you'll have to figure out how much it throws off your level's bubble and adjust for that when levelling before putting out the slides. After a few adjustments you'll have it figured out and be good to go from then on.

RSchleder · 10-05-2016, 12:21 PM

We set up the camper to be higher on the slide side before putting the 2 slides out. On most camp sites assuming they're fairly level, we put 1 orange plastic "spacer"block under the tires ON THE SLIDE SIDE. This will make the bubble almost touch the line on the slide side. After a few hours of sitting with the slides out, the weight of the slides tends to cause that side to drop and we sit nice and level for days/weeks on end.

awhite64 · 10-05-2016, 12:25 PM

We have to adjust the level of our TT buy 3/4 inch. When we were leveling before putting the slides out, I always felt like my head was down hill of my feet.

Boso · 10-05-2016, 12:30 PM

If your slide unlevels the camper then you need to see how much then level with that side higher that amount. I had that problem with a tag along one time the rv's will almost always be the same amount unlevel if you don't take that into account. But after you figure that out level then slides then stabalizer jacks as they are not for leveling

RLHAMILTON · 10-05-2016, 01:16 PM

Level before putting slides out.

Cfritts · 10-05-2016, 01:22 PM

We have the Forester 2401WS, full wall slide and we have to adjust for that going out as the entire rig leans in that direction. Check level, slide out, check, slide in, level blocks, slide out, check.

It is very noticeable for me, my husband must be part mountain goat as he has no issues but I hate feeling like my head is sliding into the wall, or I am sliding out of the bed or the bathroom door not staying shut or open.

Dave Lyon · 10-05-2016, 01:29 PM

Level - front to back and side to side, stabilizers in place.....then put out slide.

Bear fans · 10-05-2016, 01:34 PM

We have 2 slides on one side, one is very large, we have to start with the slide side high. Like most are saying stabilizers are not for leveling.Your axle springs will sag towards the slides.

genehorn · 10-05-2016, 02:16 PM

I would level before the slides go out or at least get close. I have been told that the slide motors have a little easier time when things are close to level and might not like pushing a slide uphill.

ben31 · 10-05-2016, 02:28 PM

I still always have leveled before putting them out. How much it changes after that depends on the type of leveling/support system you have. It doesn't matter a whole lot, since no matter what you do, every single inch of your RV is never completely level. It changes, depending on where it is measured. The trick is to pick someplace to measure, so you get it close.

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