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05-22-2015, 06:42 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Georgia
Posts: 647
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Do you level the coach with the slides in or out?
I am picking up a Sunseeker 2860 DS this afternoon and heading to a nearby campground for the shakedown cruise. I will hopefully remember to ask at the lot, but wanted to check here to see if the RV should be leveled with the slides in or out? It has the Bigfoot leveling system.
Thanks.
__________________
2021 Micro Lite 25FKBS
2021 Ford F-250 XLT CCSB 4wd w/ 6.2l and 6 sp. transmission, 3.73 locking axle
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05-22-2015, 06:46 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Mt. Clemens, MI.
Posts: 120
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I always level my RV's with the slides IN. This places less strain on the slide when extending.
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Fred n Wilma
2017 Ford F-150 EcoBoost
2015 Crusader 295RST
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05-22-2015, 06:50 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 995
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fred H.
I always level my RV's with the slides IN. This places less strain on the slide when extending.
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X2
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05-22-2015, 07:42 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Oswego il
Posts: 2,430
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In my generic Forest River's owner manual it states to level the unit first and then extend the slides. I have always done this on my other two 5er's, in fact I have always plugged into shore power before extending the slides easier on the battery and electrical motors since the required amperage draws are high. Now that I have a hydraulic driven slides I will still practice the same setup routine.
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Jim W.
2016 34RL CC; 2008 Ram Mega Cab 2500HD, 6.7L, 68RFE 6 speed, 4X4, Smarty S67, TDR 145K+miles
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05-22-2015, 11:14 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Bend,Oregon
Posts: 360
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Agree ~ always level with slides in. Putting the slides out after I level has never moved me "off-level".
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05-22-2015, 11:21 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Where We Hook Up
Posts: 220
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In... but that's an interesting question. As another respondent said, I've never gone off-level after moving the slides out.
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2017 Cedar Creek 38CK Hathaway Edition
2015 Ford F-350 6.7 CC 4x4
B&W RVK3300
Full-timing since 5/2/2016. Roam Sweet Home.
FROG Int'l Rallies: 2012-2017
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05-22-2015, 11:33 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 153
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Slides in
Most manufacturers will recommend leveling before extending slides. Less stress on the whole structure. Have always done it with slides on, and will connect shore power before extending if it is available.
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05-22-2015, 12:06 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bronston, KY
Posts: 734
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Definitely level before extending slides.
The real issue is leveling after extending can put stress on the slides and cause some damage when retracting.
The opposite procedure when breaking camp, first retract slides and then retract jacks.
Bill
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Life is a journey, not a destination.
2005 Georgetown 359ts
Bill & Virginia, Kentucky
Nights camped in 2011...78 , 2012...73,
Nights camped in 2013...123, 2014 ...101
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05-22-2015, 12:21 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 138
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slides in for sure!
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2015 Forest River Vibe 268RKS being pulled by a 2010 F150 Lariat 5.4l, 3.73 axle Super Cab, Max Tow with 11,300 lb tow capacity , Equalizer 4 point W/D hitch
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05-22-2015, 12:31 PM
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#10
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Happy Camper
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Near Selma, Alabama
Posts: 153
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I agree with all of the above
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05-22-2015, 01:00 PM
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#11
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Anacortesians
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Anacortes, WA
Posts: 1,166
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When we had our Georgetown 325, I firstly tried to find the most level-looking site I could get. Once parked and shore power on, I levelled up, making sure not to unload the back wheels too much so the parking brakes were still effective. I only used auto-level once and it lifted the front wheels off the ground. I did it manually after that, using just enough jack extension to get level.
Then I put the slides out (one dinette/living area and one in the bedroom). If it moved off level, which wasn't often, I'd just tweak it back. Our slides were electric motor/rack and pinion drives.
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Frank and Eileen
No longer RVers or FR owners
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05-22-2015, 01:59 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: NC
Posts: 37
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Okay . . . I'm confused. What damage are we talking about when putting the slides out before setting the jacks. Every time I extend my slides my trailer goes off level. As I understand it the jacks are not levelers but are meant to provide additional support the trailer only. I setup my trailer off lever. Open my slides (which tilts the trailer slightly, leveling it) and drop my jacks for support. When tearing own camp it is jacks up, slides in and off we go. Since both of my slides are on the back side of the trailer and there is no slide on the front to counterbalance it, I don't see how a trailer can do anything but have some cant from the weight of the slide being extended.
I tried setting my jacks both ways and slides out first seems to be the best fit.
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05-22-2015, 02:02 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 34
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I'm a slides in. If it goes off level must mean that there is some play in the levels somewhere. Mine doesn't do that.
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Patrick & Cecilia
2012 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Crewcab Duramax
2014 Forest River Tracer 2750 RBS
Honda eu3000 Generator
2015 Nights Camped : 37
2014 Nights Camped : 33
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05-22-2015, 02:12 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: NC
Posts: 37
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I really need to realize that there is a big difference between a TT and a 5er. I have a to and they do not level the same as a 5er does . . . so my comments may be totally out of context here. Sorry.
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05-22-2015, 02:12 PM
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#15
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Boss Ox & Drovergirl
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: N.E. Ohio Snow Belt
Posts: 1,341
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KennyGolub
X2
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X3
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Mark, Vicki, & Scout THE dog
2015 Hemisphere 282RK
2016 GMC 3500HD Duramax dually
1992 Goldwing Aspencade
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05-22-2015, 02:25 PM
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#16
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2015 Forester MBS 2401W
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: San Diego
Posts: 299
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary Hadden
As I understand it the jacks are not levelers but are meant to provide additional support the trailer only.
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Agreed. The Bigfoot is a stabilizer not a leveler, meant to be used after the RV is leveled.
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Jeff
2015 Forester MBS 2401W
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05-22-2015, 02:27 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Clarksville Va.
Posts: 10,422
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary Hadden
I really need to realize that there is a big difference between a TT and a 5er. I have a to and they do not level the same as a 5er does . . . so my comments may be totally out of context here. Sorry.
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Don't be sorry it makes no difference if it is a TT or a 5er. You put stress on the slides if not level either extending or retracting. They could bind up and put stress that will shorten the life span. I always level then slides out after I plug in. To leave slides in then landing gear and then electric...The manual will tell you the unit must be level before extension or retraction...  even more critical on battery alone.
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Coachmen M/H
Concord
2018 / 300 DSC
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05-22-2015, 07:42 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Orange Texas
Posts: 790
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Level side to side. Wife puts slides out while I am hooking up utilities. If unhooking, I move truck out and level front to back. then set back jacks.
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2013 Crusader 330 MKS
2013 Chevrolet Silverado LT 2500 D/A
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05-22-2015, 07:53 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
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Both are in when leveling.
I would not even try to level if this side was the low one.
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2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
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05-22-2015, 07:57 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Ontario
Posts: 1,177
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HomeOnWheels
Agreed. The Bigfoot is a stabilizer not a leveler, meant to be used after the RV is leveled.
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Sorry, but Bigfoot IS!! a leveling device. Google Bigfoot leveling and watch videos.
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2014 Forester 3051s
2016 Nissan Pathfinder SL
2012 Sonic toad
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