Community Forums

Craigls2 · 03-19-2014, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyDi

I don't understand the logic of putting the slides out first then leveling. So if you are on a good slope you put the slide out it twists, binds up, possibly bends something. Then you leve the MH and hope that everything is okay? I'll always level first then put my slides out. I kinda like the idea that I haven't twisted something when I try to bring the slides in. What if they won't retract?

This is why I asked the original question. We will utilize Walmart a couple nights a year on long trips to avoid leaving camp grounds at 6 or 7 in the morning. Unfortunately for us, it's necessary to put out our full wall slide to utilize the bedroom. That's a big, heavy slide with three motors. I am very leery of not having the motorhome level and getting the slide motors out of sync or the slide bound up. I've been in several Walmart parking lots where there was no level place to park. I want to be the good guy and not put my jacks down but I am worried about torquing my slide. I just want to get some idea of how level is level enough.

Sky_Boss · 03-19-2014, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky_Boss

...
Still...if I am on level ground like most any large parking lot I will dump the bags and put out my passenger side slides if needed. Mostly I just would put out my passenger side BR for access to some drawers or maybe moving a big object into the BR.

Putting down the jacks in places like a Walmart is just not right. ...

I want to clarify something here. If I was boon docking in a Walmart or similar place my slides don't stay out. I only put them out to access something I didn't have the foresight to move from some place that is inaccessible with the slides in to a place I could get to them. The slide(s) go back in quickly afterwards.

homecan1 · 03-19-2014, 05:29 PM

Jacks don't just level, they also support the load and stabilize the coach. When you extend a slide, the center of gravity of the coach is changed as the weight is cantilevered to the side. With the jacks down, that unbalanced load is carried by the jacks attached to the frame and not the coach suspension, tires, bearings, etc. I level first.

dapadu · 03-19-2014, 06:38 PM

I have 2007american eagle w/Spartan/liberty chassis can open up as long as ground is pretty level.Type of chassis makes world of difference.

sailwing2003 · 03-19-2014, 08:34 PM

Happened to notice as I passed a huge dealer in Alvarado TX, that they had every slide on every coach open. Also, not a one had a jack down that might have damaged their sloped asphalt parking lot.

Starsekr · 05-15-2014, 03:34 PM

I'll weigh in with homecan1. Air bag vs non air bag is apples & oranges. I have a Winnie 36 and the lean with the bed and living room out is noticeable. The extra moment arm is on the left springs, causing the sag. The jacks correct this. Have the slides worked without the jacks? So far. Will they always work? I don't know. Could I damage seals or slide mechanicals? Maybe. Will I make it a practice? No. So. Pays youse money and takes youse choices. UMMV.