Leveling RV - 2018 Berkshire XL 40B

[mckyver]

Do you 1st open slide outs then level or vice versa ?

[Maingler]

Level first.

[Trappfarmer]

I’m not an expert in regards to this subject but I have seen a slide fail ugly. My general assessment is that the leveling is not the critical facto but what is critical is the TWIST of the chassis. My suggestion is- always ensure that the coach is level, without twist, before you move a slide in or out.
We’ve heard instances of slide moving on their own. There are instances of leveling jacks retracting on their own.
If you find a single leveling jack retracted and not touching the ground do not move the slides until you level the coach manually. This should be done regardless of whether the slides are in or out.
Again, not an expert in this area but it just seems prudent.

[DogFather]

And once level with slides out, retract slides before retracting jacks.

[mckyver]

Thank you.

[dave-g]

Originally Posted by DogFather

And once level with slides out, retract slides before retracting jacks.

I retract jacks 1st- start engine- build air pressure to fill all the air bags- then retract the slides.


I agree the coach can twist while on the jacks- that is why I like to only move the slides while the coach is sitting on the air bags full of air.

[Trappfarmer]

Only if you are parked on level pavement.

[Igave]

Oscarvan (I believe) on an earlier discussion talked with FR directly and they told him it didn’t matter. When we picked up our coach they were pretty emphatic about doing the slides on the airbags. On my coach, the jacks won’t come up unless the airbags are aired. Personally, I’m in the camp saying the deciding factor is how much twist in that particular site has your coach in. You’d think there’d be a published answer from each mfg.

[shepardmike]

I got my coach from an out of state dealer and when I drove it home we camped on the way back. I leveled first and the couch slide was binding on the way out. After I went back on my air bags it deployed. So when I got home I used a leveler and found that "auto level" was not truly level. Once a re-calibrated I haven't had any issues. So the point of this comment is for newer coaches make sure they are calibrated if your not manually leveling.

[RKNOLA]

We level first. Anything to help your slides live longer will help you over time.