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05-23-2021, 08:13 PM
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#1
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Alberta
Posts: 133
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Leveling and Slide
Greeting Folks
I have a question regarding how to level my trailer.
We have owned this Sunset Trail 26BH since 2012 and had some serious issues with it from day 1 with no support from the dealer, nice trailer but,,,,,
To give some background I have always had trouble leveling the trailer. In the beginning I would park and get the trailer level and then put the slide out, now the trailer is on a definite slant towards the slide. So I started getting close and then putting the slide out to do the final adjustment which would mean moving back or forwards to get wheels up on blocks, and then sometimes I would need to crawl under and jack a wheel up to put more blocks always on the slide side.
Then the slide started to not work, needed 2 people on each end assisting the slide motor to get the slide in or out. Last year at the end of the year it quit completely. Took it into a dealer and they basicaly had to rebuild the entire slide system and told me it was from moving the slide when the trailer was not level ($2500.00)
So what am I doing wrong? If I added 500 pounds to one side of my truck, 4 feet off the side, my truck would sag on that side and I believe that is what the slide is doing. I also feel that I should not have to crawl under and jack wheels up.
Any suggestions.
__________________
2012 Sunset Trail by Crossroads
29BH
2016 F150 Lariat
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05-23-2021, 08:28 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: mo
Posts: 2,110
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This is what we do. Back in and level side to side. Then unhitch and level front to rear then put down the jacks/stabilizers then open the slides. Our camper has 3 slides and we have not had any problems with the slides not working or when out making the camper unlevel.
Maybe this will help.
__________________
2009 Seville VF32KS
2019 GMC Sierra 3500HD Crew Cab Denali.
6.6 Diesel standard box.
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05-23-2021, 08:59 PM
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#3
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Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Michigan
Posts: 272
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dagst1
This is what we do. Back in and level side to side. Then unhitch and level front to rear then put down the jacks/stabilizers then open the slides. Our camper has 3 slides and we have not had any problems with the slides not working or when out making the camper unlevel.
Maybe this will help.
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X2
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2016 F 250 XLT 4x4 SC
2014 Sunset Trail Reserve ST26RB
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05-23-2021, 09:11 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 5,724
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Don't understand the 500lbs in truck comment. Like said, use any flat support to get rv level, disconnect truck and then slide.
Never heard of crawling under to jack up wheel to put blocks underneath.
__________________
Mark & Susan
Lehighton, Pennsylvania
EAGLE HT FIFTH WHEEL | 30.5CKTS - '13 Ford F150 SCREW - PullRite Superslide - Roadmaster Active Suspension
Member - "Northeast Adventures RV Rally Group" & "Mason-Dixon Bunch"
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05-23-2021, 09:59 PM
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#5
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Family Vacation Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Alberta
Posts: 133
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Well it seems as soon as I put the slide out we can feel a slant maybe 3-4 inches across the floor. It is most noticeable.
I think that when the slide is out, I'm guessing it weighs 500 pounds, it is like hanging a similiar weight 4 feet off the side of my truck and I am sure my truck would sag towards that weight, physics.
__________________
2012 Sunset Trail by Crossroads
29BH
2016 F150 Lariat
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05-24-2021, 05:58 AM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: mo
Posts: 2,110
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Quote:
Originally Posted by egrum
Well it seems as soon as I put the slide out we can feel a slant maybe 3-4 inches across the floor. It is most noticeable.
I think that when the slide is out, I'm guessing it weighs 500 pounds, it is like hanging a similiar weight 4 feet off the side of my truck and I am sure my truck would sag towards that weight, physics.
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If you put jack stands under the frame of the truck it would not sag. That comes from the springs compressing. If you have the stabilizers/jacks down and tight the trailer level should not change.
__________________
2009 Seville VF32KS
2019 GMC Sierra 3500HD Crew Cab Denali.
6.6 Diesel standard box.
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05-30-2021, 04:46 PM
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#7
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Manitoba
Posts: 72
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I back in check site level then pull ahead then back in and level trailer using plywood boards on the low side.
Then I put jacks down and stabilize trailer.
Put slide out recheck level. Usually pretty close.
I don’t use the stabilizer jacks to level trailer.
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05-30-2021, 07:20 PM
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#8
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Full Time Camper
Join Date: May 2012
Location: N.C. Mountains
Posts: 2,417
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We back into our site. Then use a bubble level inside to see how it’s sitting. We use the leveling blocks (We keep four bags of blocks)to get it level side to side. Then unhook and level it front to back. I have a small green level mounted to the front side of the camper close to the button of the front jacks. That way I can raise or lower and watch the green level. Just make sure if you mount a green level to the camper; it has to be level before you mount it.
__________________
*2016 CAF25SE Cruiser Aire 5er. *2020 Chevrolet 2500 HD Custom
*Ted & Tricia (Mimi - Teacup Poodle/ Sailor - Maltipoo)
*I have tried to live my life so that my family would love me and my friends would respect me. The others can do whatever the Hell they please!” —John Wayne
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05-30-2021, 10:27 PM
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#9
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Weekend Camper
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Alberta
Posts: 37
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I can relate to the OP's levelling challenges. Carpenter's levels, bubble levels, in and out of the truck checking to see if I'm level yet, etc. etc. Frustration won out for me and I broke down and bought a LevelMate Pro, wireless vehicle levelling system. Download the app to your phone and once you've done the initial setup with the trailer being level, you can level your trailer anywhere, anytime in a fraction of the time it took before, and with a whole lot less frustration. And it recalls your landing gear height so that you can back right into the king pin blindfolded (well not quite but you get the idea!). Best after market goodie I've bought for my rig. Doug
__________________
2019 Cruiser Aire 29SI 5th Wheel - Sold
2021 Grand Design Imagine XLS 22MLE - Current RV
2018 Ram 2500HD, 6.7 L Cummins Turbo Diesel 4X4
"The smallest act of kindness trumps the greatest of intentions"
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