Can I level the trailer while hitched?

[Pokyjohn]

Parked slightly downhill, I can level it with the tongue jack but will raise the trucks rest up and front end will be pushed down. I want to level it to turn on the fridge

Any concerns with the trucks rear lifted by the hitch

[5picker]

How much?

It's a common practice to level to some degree while still hitched.
You can't be lifting the rear tires of the truck off the gound though.

[Summit1]

I have done the lateral leveling while connected, then done the longitudinal leveling (also connected within reason). Then, I measure the tongue height. Once disconnected, I return the tongue height to the point previously measured. Minor adjustments can be made if necessary afterward.

[B D HOWie]

If you can not level longitudinally without disconnecting be sure to chalk your trailer wheels before disconnecting from TV.
Paul

[Bobh62]

I've read, and put into practice, that you should disconnect the trailer from the truck. That may just be with a 5er, though. With ours, I chock the wheels, disconnect and move the truck, then press the auto level button. The nose drops down considerably and then comes back up as it is leveled. That would not be possible hooked to the truck.

[D W]

Originally Posted by Pokyjohn

Parked slightly downhill, I can level it with the tongue jack but will raise the trucks rest up and front end will be pushed down. I want to level it to turn on the fridge

Any concerns with the trucks rear lifted by the hitch

Me, myself, I would not raise the tongue any higher then the predetermined unladen ball height. Simply put, that coupler is not designed to be a lifting device.

[saltyman]

When traveling to a far destination, I always leave the TV attached to the TT. Here is how it's accomplished: With the rig and TV attached, ensure the hitch is adjusted so that the Trailer is level as possible. The TV will be down somewhat but that's OK. When you drive into your site, get the Trailer as level as possible side to side. NOTE, this may take a couple of tries to fine the sweet spot on the site. Then check level front to back, if down in the front a slight amount, you can adjust the front jack to bring it up to exact level. If front is high on your site, move to another or try to find the sweet spot long ways. Piece of cake once you have done several attempts.

[Bobh62]

Originally Posted by saltyman

When traveling to a far destination, I always leave the TV attached to the TT. Here is how it's accomplished: With the rig and TV attached, ensure the hitch is adjusted so that the Trailer is level as possible. The TV will be down somewhat but that's OK. When you drive into your site, get the Trailer as level as possible side to side. NOTE, this may take a couple of tries to fine the sweet spot on the site. Then check level front to back, if down in the front a slight amount, you can adjust the front jack to bring it up to exact level. If front is high on your site, move to another or try to find the sweet spot long ways. Piece of cake once you have done several attempts.

Just wondering why you )and others) leave your trailer attached to the TV when leveling? Seems a lot easier to me to disconnect and hit the auto level and let it do it's thing. I'm done in 5 minutes or less with no jockeying around the spot or campground. Figure you have a good reason for not disconnecting...newbie wants to know. Thanks!

[jtesta1]

Why not put some lumber under the trucks rear wheels first.

[Canadiancrew]

Originally Posted by Bobh62

Just wondering why you )and others) leave your trailer attached to the TV when leveling? Seems a lot easier to me to disconnect and hit the auto level and let it do it's thing. I'm done in 5 minutes or less with no jockeying around the spot or campground. Figure you have a good reason for not disconnecting...newbie wants to know. Thanks!

We do it all the line on long trips. Want to sneak out quietly early the next morning. Less noise saves any messing with torsion bars and baking the truck up and running it while the neighbours may be still asleep. We usually get a pull through when doing this and they are usually pretty good for level. Sometimes off side to side is off and we drive on some lumber. If off a bit I prefer the front up since that is where the head of the bed is.

We don't have auto level so levelling is done with driving on wood but most of the time just the front Jack.

[TitanMike]

Keep a few extra boards in the TV so you can slip some under it's rear wheels if necessary. I like 2X12's as it's easier to find the center of them when backing up. A couple of 1" pieces of plywood cut the same dimensions as the 2X12's to make smaller adjustments. If I can't level with one or two "boards" I move to a different spot.