Structure Stress Question

[Tim Coltrain]

I have not ever seen this as a question but thought I would throw it out there. I work construction and deal with carbon and stainless. We are a fabrication facility so I deal with metal stress. Even after I ask this question you are going to say I should have my own answer. When you guys store your camper for the season how many of you actually do level set up with either your jacks or leveling devices. Just to take a load off your springs. I know its a weird question but thought I would see if anyone does it.



Tim Coltrain in NC

[Homebrew]

I do it every time I back my trailer in to the carport.
With doing modifications, cleaning and loading it make sense to keep the trailer level .

[bikendan]

Never setup on jacks when stored. Only when camping.

[wahoonc]

When parking the trailer at home I just let it sit on the wheels, the only time I would put the stabilizers down was if someone was actually going to be using it while it was parked. I would have it fairly level.

Aaron

[DennisTD]

Springs fatigue based on cycles, so they are not being fatigued when just sitting unused. Other factors are the amount of load/travel as the spring is cycled, but again, during storage they are just sitting there. Likewise, the frame is fatigued by the same factors.

So I can't see a reason why extending the stabilizers would help at all. An exception might be if it is stored outside, one could argue that the stabilizers would cause less "rocking and rolling" in windy conditions, resulting in overall less movement, but that is probably a stretch.

[Tim Coltrain]

Thanks for the inputs.




Tim Coltrain

[340xlr]

I keep mine in a garage and use the auto level all the time. I do it more so to keep weight off the tires. This is a 40' beast. It was also used for storing and wrapping gifts before Christmas, so wanted it stable anyway.

[the.wilsons]

We store ours outside in the yard and I always use the level up to the point were all the tires are off of the ground. Figured that was the best way to keep the tires dry and keep flat spots from forming.