Slides in or out to level

[Tsmac43]

Hi everyone...just getting ready for my maiden voyage in our new 8329ss. It has 3 slides and I have read different theories on whether to level first or put slides out first. Any advise is appreciated.
Thanks.

[dwayneb236]

I've heard both ways. I usually level then put slides out. Invariably it seems to slope to the side with 3 slides a bit.
Next trip we are going to try it another way. Going to put out slides then level. I have a 6 point auto level system so we'll see how that goes.

[timfromma]

Originally Posted by Tsmac43

Hi everyone...just getting ready for my maiden voyage in our new 8329ss. It has 3 slides and I have read different theories on whether to level first or put slides out first. Any advise is appreciated.
Thanks.

My camper has 2 slides on the same side and here's what I did. I leveled the camper and opened the slides up. I noticed that the side with the slides now sat 1" lower than before. Now, whenever I go camping, I set up the camper so the slides side is 1" higher so when the slides are deployed, it rests level.

[Vern]

Assuming that is a TT model, we level L to R, then unhitch, level front to back, and then run the slides out (and only after running out the slides do we put down the stabilizers). Having said that, where you have two slides on a side, etc., that presents variables you must plan for in your L to R leveling (our Windjammer 3008 needs to be about 1 1/2" high on the opposite door side before we put out the slides. End result is level.

[m35a2]

Originally Posted by Tsmac43

Hi everyone...just getting ready for my maiden voyage in our new 8329ss. It has 3 slides and I have read different theories on whether to level first or put slides out first. Any advise is appreciated.
Thanks.

I do it with the slides in. For two reasons:

The slides interfere with getting to the tires to place my levellers when they are out, and

I think the slides operate best when the camper is level. I may or may not be correct but that's just my crazy thought.

[5picker]

To answer your question...

whether to level first or put slides out first

Do not extend slides before leveling.
Level side to side, unhook and then level front to back.
You don't want to be jockeying your rig around with the slides out trying to get onto boards or levelers. Not a good plan!

I agree with the other comments about whether you'll need additional height on the heavier slide side. We do and I have to add about 3/4" to become level once the slides are deployed, but you'll learn.

[Tsmac43]

Thanks everyone . All great suggestions. Thanks for the help.
I feel a little bit more confident.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Tsmac43

Hi everyone...just getting ready for my maiden voyage in our new 8329ss. It has 3 slides and I have read different theories on whether to level first or put slides out first. Any advise is appreciated.
Thanks.

Do yourself a favor and go to a "Level Parking Lot",now run all three slides Out! This will show you how much "Blocking" will be needed under your Tires to reach "Level"! Now retract your slides and add the blocking "If Needed" and deploy the slides again,Check for Level! If level this will now be your "Starting Point" at 90% of Camp Sites! Youroo!!

[twohand]

Originally Posted by m35a2

I do it with the slides in. For two reasons:

The slides interfere with getting to the tires to place my levellers when they are out, and

I think the slides operate best when the camper is level. I may or may not be correct but that's just my crazy thought.

X2...

[JayhawkCamper294bh]

Originally Posted by m35a2

I do it with the slides in. For two reasons:

The slides interfere with getting to the tires to place my levellers when they are out, and

I think the slides operate best when the camper is level. I may or may not be correct but that's just my crazy thought.

X3

[JimMorrell]

I only have one big slide, but I found that when it's out, the trailer "leans" one mark down on my bubble level. So, BEFORE I extend the slide, I "level" the trailer one mark high on the bubble level. That way, when the slide is extended, the trailer is level. Simple.

[Hi Rider]

I have one slide on my 2016 Class C Forester. It always dips on the slide side. I've learned that two 2x8x12 boards under the dual wheels under the coach levels the coach on just about every trip. That's become my standard practice.

[WayneLee]

I believe that owner's manual probably says level first then extend slides. There is only one manufacturer that I know of that recommends the opposite and that is the "old" Monaco products. For those, the manufacturer says slides out, then level. Since the Monaco brand has been sold, I don't know if the new Monaco's are the same.

The theory goes that if your unit is level, then the slides will not bind when extending. That is the method the factory uses to install the slides.

Now, in the real world, how many units have you seen in a dealer's lot that have the slides extended, but haven't been leveled?

[dwayneb236]

I'm curious as how raising my 3 slide side would work with auto level. Seems to me even if I raised it an inch before leveling, the auto leveler would take that inch into account and just level the system accordingly, taking away the inch I tried to get or am I overthinking this.

[Hi Rider]

Wells said about leveling first before extending the slide. That's what I do. And I know my level and coach well enough that I know when to use the boards. It's taken a bit of practice, though.

[ablindmule]

Slides are the very last thing we deploy after leveling and stabilizing. As dealers will tell you, people will call saying "my slider's stuck" or "it's leaking ", it's all because they put the slides out then leveled, creating either some tension or pinching that doesn't allow the slide to close, or creates a slight opening for water to drain in.
We have a slide on each side so I have not had a problem, but I can certainly see the value, found in some of the responses, advising to measure your amount of additional support or level compensation needed on one side to actually create the "level" you are looking for.
Good luck and enjoy!

[pdqparalegal1]

Originally Posted by JimMorrell

I only have one big slide, but I found that when it's out, the trailer "leans" one mark down on my bubble level. So, BEFORE I extend the slide, I "level" the trailer one mark high on the bubble level. That way, when the slide is extended, the trailer is level. Simple.

My TT has one slide also, my slide side needs to be 1/2 bubble higher to be level with slide out. Yours may vary but slide side is always higher by some amount, tril and error till it fits.

[m35a2]

I think if I had an autoleveler, I might get it level, put the slides out, then let it level again. I'm assuming here that it only levels when you command it to, then goes to sleep.

But if you have to do it manually and really REALLY want to make it easy on yourself, get a levelmate pro and some anderson levelers. Worth their weight in gold.
I can be level in about two minutes, no exaggeration.

[m35a2]

Originally Posted by m35a2

I think if I had an autoleveler, I might get it level, put the slides out, then let it level again. I'm assuming here that it only levels when you command it to, then goes to sleep.

But if you have to do it manually and really REALLY want to make it easy on yourself, get a levelmate pro and some anderson levelers. Worth their weight in gold.
I can be level in about two minutes, no exaggeration.

Ok maybe not gold. Definitely worth their weight in beer.

[dwayneb236]

Never tried hitting autolevel again after the slides are out. Might be an idea.