Extend slides before or after leveling?

tony4pyro · 07-29-2012, 07:06 PM

Don't know if there is a thread about this already or not - This is my first year with a TT with slides. I have a large living area slide and a bunkhouse slide, both on the driver's side of the trailer (Wildwood 32 BHDS). My questions is, when parking on a site, should I be extending the slides first, and then leveling side to side? The reason I ask is because I usually level it first all around, and then put the slides out. But I have noticed a few times that after putting the slides out, the trailer seems to lean that way - makes sense due to the weight of the slides, I would imagine. I don't know if I am improperly leveling this trailer, but I do know that it drives me crazy all weekend if we are not level. Any advice?? Does the suspension of the trailer go down on the side that both slides are on when they are extended? Seems like a dumb question...sorry.

Capsfloyd · 07-29-2012, 07:36 PM

I ask same question on my 31' and most of the replys I got were to park , level up, extend out

paulmac · 07-29-2012, 07:39 PM

How far is the level off once you extend the slide out? To be honest with you seems most sites today are pretty level with out having to do much. Generally if it is 1/4 inch or less I just chock the wheels, disconnect the tow vehicle, put the stabilizers down, plug the camper in then extend the slide out. If the camper is leaning as you say, are your stabilizers on the slide out side down? And are they down hard enough. My wife usually does the stabilizers and what we do is bring them down then give a couple extra turns to make sure they sturdy. We also use wooden blocks under the stabilizers feet to make sure they don't sink into the gavel our ground.

paulmac · 07-29-2012, 07:43 PM

One more thought when our slide out goes out it seems at the very end it gives a little "kick up" at the end of the travel just before you get the noise to let you know you are at the limt. Could that make it look like the camper is leaning compared to the slide out? Once I have checked or leveled the trailer I don't check it again after the slide out is extended.

mike54 · 07-29-2012, 07:55 PM

I put stabilizers down before the slides come out like you it leans a little if I don't

Sailfish Bret · 07-30-2012, 12:19 PM

I have what they call a Super Slide (large slide with couch and dinette) and it too will take me out of level once the slide is extended. The answer, at least for me, is to always level the drivers side of the camper slightly higher. I then chock the wheels, extend the stabilizers then the slide. Once the slide gets extended, we're all nicely level.

Vern · 07-30-2012, 01:00 PM

With my Windjammer and similar slides, it seems there is a natural 1" to 2" "lean" after the slides are extended. Therefore, I use the Lynx blocks to "level" my trailer intentionally about 1 1/2" high on the slide side. Next I level it front to back (tongue jack) and then I run the slides out. After putting the slides out I put down the four stabilizer jacks and apply the X-chocks.

SaskCampers · 07-30-2012, 01:05 PM

I level about an inch high on the slide side put the stabilizers down then the slides out. It will still still sit abt 1" low and that is how I like it as the rain will run away from the side of the trailer. Maybe not that big of a deal for those with slide toppers but I like to keep the water away from the trailer.

TURBS · 07-30-2012, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSasks

I level about an inch high on the slide side put the stabilizers down then the slides out. It will still still sit abt 1" low and that is how I like it as the rain will run away from the side of the trailer. Maybe not that big of a deal for those with slide toppers but I like to keep the water away from the trailer.

Inch high on slide side or low?

Vern · 07-30-2012, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSasks

I level about an inch high on the slide side put the stabilizers down then the slides out. It will still still sit abt 1" low and that is how I like it as the rain will run away from the side of the trailer. Maybe not that big of a deal for those with slide toppers but I like to keep the water away from the trailer.

That makes sense. However, I do have slide toppers, so I try to get to level rather than trying to shed with the roof. I am curious, John, as to why you set the stabilizers down first. The order of those two steps is one which I've gone back and forth on. I finally decided that running the slides out last risked "lifting" the trailer (even if ever so slightly) with the slide-side stabilizers, which is something we've all been repeatedly warned not to do.

RV Wizerd · 07-30-2012, 01:32 PM

Slide outs are wonderful if you set them up properly, for units with large slide outs you must I repeat MUST support the rails underneath the slide with jack stands once the room is extended because as the unit ages the rails will start to bend and when that happens the room wont close in properly and also wont properly seal to the flange on the inside so when it rains heavy leakage might occur at the flange plate at the left or right side, with small slide outs on 5Th wheels like up in the bedroom there's not a whole lot you can do

Vern · 07-30-2012, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV Wizerd

Slide outs are wonderful if you set them up properly, for units with large slide outs you must I repeat MUST support the rails underneath the slide with jack stands once the room is extended because as the unit ages the rails will start to bend and when that happens the room wont close in properly and also wont properly seal to the flange on the inside so when it rains heavy leakage might occur at the flange plate at the left or right side, with small slide outs on 5Th wheels like up in the bedroom there's not a whole lot you can do

MUST? Hey, do you sell jack stands for a living?

I'd be interested to hear how many agree with this advice? Seems to me that the slides are meant to support their weight without jacks. I'd be concerned that the slides would not seat properly against their seals if I DID put jack stands under them.

TURBS · 07-30-2012, 01:41 PM

I disagree with slide jacks, nine yrs never had them.
My slides are out 7 mo. Out of the year.

Never had a slide issue either.
Ron

camper_Lucy · 07-30-2012, 01:49 PM

I agree with f1100turbo, this is out third unit with slides that are in the out position way more than they are in the in position and we have never had an issue. When I inquired with our dealer on the first camper we had with a slide his response was NO do not use slide jacks, the slides are designed to hold their own weight, he said he had actually had to repair more slides from improper use of slide jacks, than he had from issues with the slides.

Len & Cheri · 07-30-2012, 01:53 PM

Agree with f1100turbo and camper Lucy. Never had a reason to us them. I don't think I've ever seen them used anywhere either.

TURBS · 07-30-2012, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Len & Cheri

Agree with f1100turbo and camper Lucy. Never had a reason to us them. I don't think I've ever seen them used anywhere either.

I actually seen a set in use this past weekend in Wisconsin.
First time in a long time I've seen a set.

Sailfish Bret · 07-30-2012, 02:15 PM

I specifically asked about this when I took delivery of my camper and was told there was no need to add support to the slide. I was also told there was no need for slide locks on these new style super slides. I was more concerned about that than the support issue.

Chicken Legs · 07-30-2012, 02:35 PM

My slideout has a rack and pinion under it never used supports. It does seem that slideouts sidewalls carries some weight (never looked in celling for any kind of support). I have seen a camper that doesn't have a standard rack and pinion but a tube with holes in it and rollers with pins that match up with the holes. I know its the same principle but it seems very crude and cheap. I`m sure its a weight reduction idea.

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