Where to find a level surface?

adarklake · 10-01-2018, 03:33 PM

I just purchased a new TV and am uncertain if the hitch height is the same as the previous one. I want to run through the install of the WDH again, however I don't have a level surface to dial everything in properly.

So my question is: Where do I find a nice flat, level concrete slab where I can work on the WDH reinstall without being chased off?

I live in a suburb of Boston and have been racking my brain but so far no ideas.

D W · 10-01-2018, 04:10 PM

Hook up your loaded rig and find an Interstate Rest Stop where RV's & Trucks park. Might not be concrete, but blacktop will do. In 20 minutes you should be able to get 'er done.

llr · 10-01-2018, 04:20 PM

I would never count on finding that large and level, flat is easier ten just measure parallel to the ground

emoney · 10-01-2018, 05:21 PM

An abandoned basketball court works and is usually concrete if it’s not fenced. Check your local big box stores too because flat pavement works as well. You could always “do the math” if need be, lol

babock · 10-01-2018, 05:41 PM

It doesn't have to be level. As long as it's flat between the front of the tow vehicle and the trailer, you are fine.

lewisra · 10-02-2018, 05:36 PM

Local high school parking lot.

okiecowboy · 10-02-2018, 06:43 PM

Possibly a church parking lot during the week.

Reverse_snowbird · 10-02-2018, 06:55 PM

A rest stop might be your best choice.
Around here, most churches and schools have barriers to keep vehicles out when not in use. Mall parking lots during a slow time of the day is a possibility, but they aren't always level.
Perfectly level probably isn't going to happen. Just get it as level as you can.

itat · 10-02-2018, 07:17 PM

We have a big box hardware store in town that was built but never actually occupied. It’s been sitting vacant for several years now. When I got our current TT I parked my setup on the asphalt in front of the front door one morning. It’s flat and nearly level since the asphalt matches into the level concrete pad at the door. I had it dialed in perfectly after about 30 to 40 minutes. If you get out early you may be able to find something similar.

Wolverine 1945 · 10-03-2018, 08:41 AM

Bank Parking lot on a Sunday !!!

rockfordroo · 10-03-2018, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babock

It doesn't have to be level. As long as it's flat between the front of the tow vehicle and the trailer, you are fine.

X2. Flat is all you need. Measure tongue to ground, rear of TT to ground. When they're the same, it's level.

Imagine that you DID have a level surface. Once you got the TT level, picture tilting the surface and the TT by 45 degrees. The distance from the tongue and rear of the TT to the flat surface would not change.

myxkp · 10-03-2018, 09:14 AM

I know wally's world is often referenced in this forum but any big box store will have a large flat surface. I asked my local target store folks and they said yes to my trailer hitch set up; dealer had incorrectly set it up.

Wildwood Danny · 10-03-2018, 09:35 AM

A scale deck at a quarry or grain elevator.

Lins · 10-03-2018, 09:37 AM

Aircraft hangar if you know anyone in aviation.

wrvond · 10-03-2018, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adarklake

I just purchased a new TV and am uncertain if the hitch height is the same as the previous one. I want to run through the install of the WDH again, however I don't have a level surface to dial everything in properly.

So my question is: Where do I find a nice flat, level concrete slab where I can work on the WDH reinstall without being chased off?

I live in a suburb of Boston and have been racking my brain but so far no ideas.

Press your leg against the hitch. If it hits the same spot as the old set up did, then you don't need to adjust anything.

Boomerweps · 10-03-2018, 10:27 AM

I second the high school parking lot idea, although I would go to the suburbs and not in Boston proper, on a Sunday.
When going south, I go through my high school bus lane to attach my WDH load bars. North, I have a required Semi-Truck pull off before going down the long hill into town to do the bar attaching. I have to get out of my driveway first to avoid dragging my tank drain.

babock · 10-03-2018, 11:08 AM

I am curious why all of you think level is that important. Just needs to be flat.

MillMitch · 10-03-2018, 11:25 AM

A flat parking lot will you get you close, but if it's not level, your tongue weight will be wrong when adjusting the WDH. I have a homemade tongue scale and I can tell you it changes quite a bit when you aren't level. That's the main reason I can think of.

polishdon · 10-03-2018, 11:45 AM

+5 for the school parking lot. I use the lot at the elementary school across from my house for the same purpose and turning around all the time.

rockfordroo · 10-03-2018, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MillMitch

A flat parking lot will you get you close, but if it's not level, your tongue weight will be wrong when adjusting the WDH. I have a homemade tongue scale and I can tell you it changes quite a bit when you aren't level. That's the main reason I can think of.

While you have a point, I'd think you'd have to be off 5-10 degrees before your tongue weight would shift that much. If the lot is off-level by that much, you're probably not going to use it anyway, for a number of reasons.

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