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Old 08-15-2013, 08:25 AM   #1
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First Trip - Leveling?

Morning all! We are taking our first camping trip this weekend to Dog Creek at Nolin Lake in KY. It's only about an hour and a half away, but will be bringing the boat down as well and hoping for some good lake time.

Question for you on leveling...
The jacks that came with it are Stabilization jacks, not leveling jacks, so I haev several 4x4s that I can stack and help out. However, what about side to side leveling (i.e. at the wheels)? I've seen the leveling blocks, but thinking I'd rater use wood (2x6, 2x8, etc) to stack. But what would I need? I'm thinking a 4' piece for the bottom, then 1' pieces to gradually stack up. How much rise should I plan for? May need to do longer pieces to help with the gradual rise since I'll need to drive over them.

What do you use? Any help would be appreciated. Loving the forum so far!
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Old 08-15-2013, 08:40 AM   #2
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Here's something that I wrote for my sister after watching her boyfriend crank on the stabilizers with an impact drill until he was level:
http://learntorv.blogspot.com/2013/0...-and-easy.html

Basically, I carry enough blocks for 4" of leveling. I've never needed the full amount on a campsite, but I generally RV in RV parks where there is a reasonable expectation of fairly level sites.

I've used both wood and the orange lego-like blocks. For me, I prefer the orange blocks.
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Old 08-15-2013, 08:56 AM   #3
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Level side to side first then un-hook and level front to rear.
I use legos but have used 2x's as well.
I carry now
1 2x6 treated 5' long
3 boxes of legos.
1 6" wide 1/2" piece of treated plywood 5' long.
For stabs and landing gear I use 1 2x6 12" laminate beam for each.

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Old 08-15-2013, 09:15 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by f1100turbo View Post
For stabs and landing gear I use 1 2x6 12" laminate beam for each.
Any pics of what you did here?
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Old 08-15-2013, 09:31 AM   #5
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I use 2x8's starting about 6" longer than the distance from wheel to wheel OD. One end is cut at a 45 degree angle to facilitate getting the rig on top. The send 2x8 is cut so the angle match. I actually drilled holes in the top and bottom board and glued in 3/4" dowels to keep the boards from shifting. Probably overkill, but it makes it real easy.
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Old 08-15-2013, 10:11 AM   #6
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I carry 2 pressure treated 2x6 3 feet long in the back of my truck
6 2x6 1 foot long in back of truck
1 pack of orange legos

Normally only have to use the 2 2x6x3 on sites around here.

But on occasion have used the orange legos to get it up about 2 inches higher

The 1 footers I used as pads for the rear jacks...
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Old 08-15-2013, 10:36 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eshenderson View Post
I use 2x8's starting about 6" longer than the distance from wheel to wheel OD. One end is cut at a 45 degree angle to facilitate getting the rig on top. The send 2x8 is cut so the angle match. I actually drilled holes in the top and bottom board and glued in 3/4" dowels to keep the boards from shifting. Probably overkill, but it makes it real easy.
Great minds must run in the same direction. I built two 2x8 leveling boards exactly like eshenderson and they work like a charm. Generally, I use one board. Once I used both because the camp ground was built on a slope. The two boards lock together with dowels, making mounting the boards easier. Board must be aligned with the wheels before being driven onto.
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Old 08-15-2013, 11:08 AM   #8
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I like the lego's (Lynx blocks) as well because they take up less room and they are lighter than wood.
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Old 08-15-2013, 11:39 AM   #9
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Worse comes to worse, the CG manager may have some boards to help out. Tell them it is your first trip when you check in and you'll probably get a nice easy access site that is pretty level.

My first time out I found a point in the site that was close to perfect, just pitched a little to the back of the trailer. Got everything set up, extended the slide and learned that it took that pitch a bit further. Luckily the fridge still worked, but I was concerned at first. I now make sure I am about half a ball in the gauge to the opposite side.

I have one set of Legos Amazon.com: Camco 44505 RV Leveling Blocks - 10 pack: Automotive
and I use chocks on both wheels sides of the un-blocked side. I have extra lumber in case all else fails.
I recall seeing another camper with a lot of wood on one side at one site. Really wish I'd taken a picture.
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Old 08-15-2013, 11:48 AM   #10
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I have three bags of these because many sites we go to were not meant for trailers and can be very unlevel.



I'm thinking of trying the Andersen levelers.

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Old 08-15-2013, 12:01 PM   #11
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I only have two bags but I need three. Its not that we got to sites that are not made for trailers. The problem I have is the wife (who guides me in) looks at every possilbe issue (trees, mud puddles, rocks near the steps, facing the sun, view, fire, how our TT will look from sitting at the fire) except where the pad is level! Took us a half an hour to park on a pull through just so we could face the perfect direction. Have to admit though it is nice once we land. She does do a good job.
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Old 08-15-2013, 12:17 PM   #12
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Leveling is a task with my PUP due to its ground clearance. I first look at what I need to do to level side to side and use 2X6X 4’long P/T boards. Tip I disco my wire hookup from the TV so the breaks will not engage when backing on to my need blocks. Once I have this I chalk the wheels and unhook from the TV. Once TV is out of the way using the front jack to level front to back and put out my homemade space saver stabilizer platforms (picture) and screw stabilizes down just snug. DONE and it’s set up time. I do make the slide outside about 1 inch higher as I find my door works without a hitch like this. Another tip I put a heavy coatof paint mixed with play sand on my blocks to help them stick together to help when backing on them.
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Old 08-15-2013, 12:25 PM   #13
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Sorry the picture of my blocks
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Old 08-15-2013, 12:37 PM   #14
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Thanks for all the quick replies! I ran out and got some of these Camco RV Leveling Blocks : Cabela's, just not orange.

Will get some 2x6 or 8s tonight and cut the angle on them. I don't have the trailer here, it's in storage, but surely 4' would be long enough right?
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Old 08-15-2013, 12:53 PM   #15
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Oh 4' should be
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Old 08-15-2013, 01:00 PM   #16
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We have 2 - 2x8s, 2 stacks of 10" long 2x10s (each stack is about 6 pieces screwed together), 1 - 6x6x12 and a few smaller pieces. All the wood is pressure treated. We also have 1 bag of Lynx levelers (legos) with caps.

The 1st 2x8 is cut so that its long enough to sit both wheels on plus chocks on the outside, and the 2nd 2x8 is cut about 1' longer to act as a ramp in case we need to use both. I didn't cut them on a 45 degree angle but I like that idea. I don't use dowels since its never been a problem for me stacked 2 high, but if I had to go 3 boards high that would be a great idea.

The 2x10 stacks are used under the stabilizers on sites where there is a steeper slope (front to back) so the stabilizers don't have to be cranked as far down. I built the stacks for the slope in my driveway so I just put them in the back of the truck when camping.

The Lynx levelers, 6x6 and smaller pieces are usually used for the stabilizers and the tongue jack.

We've had some sites this year, generally in Provincial Parks, were I wished I had more of the 2x10x10s so I'll be be making some up soon. They're a lot cheaper than the plastic legos but they do take up more space.
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Old 08-15-2013, 06:49 PM   #17
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What's wrong with these? And a foot long 2X12?

Torin Jacks 1.5 Ton Scissor Jack, Hydraulic Scissor Jack, Car Scissor Jack, Torin Scissor Jack
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Old 08-15-2013, 07:07 PM   #18
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Good purchase. I use the lynx blocks but still car a few boards just because you never know, and my dad always did
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Old 08-15-2013, 07:15 PM   #19
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If you have torsion axles I would not do this, but on mine if I need more than the 1.5 inches from a 2x, I have 5' long 2x6 and some various 2x4 4x4 4x6 and make a ramp a couple inches higher than you think you will need then back the camper slowly up the ramp till level. Put out my chocks unhook then level front to back. I wont go any more slope than the 4x6 on the 6" high side which gives me about 7" of height. Any more than that and I am not really prepared. Usually a 4x4 is more than enough, and I put some blocks in the middle of the ramp too.
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Old 08-15-2013, 07:45 PM   #20
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Lynx levelers (or similar) are the way to go. We have 3 sets and an extra smaller serif the yellow ones for our tongue jack. They store easily, they're light and they dry easily when it rains. Wood gets wet and messy. I wouldn't want to put those soggy and dirty things in my storage.compartments or my truck.
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