Properly leveling 5th wheelers

[DavidB]

Hello all,

Probably a stupid question but...

I was told when we did our walk-through (by the salesman) that the landing gear legs should always be set to the same height. But I've found that on some hilly sites that it is sometimes better to set one leg higher than the other. Is this ok?

Unfortunately, I have to take the rig in today because the one leg of the landing gear is bent and will no longer go up and down. I damaged it when I tried to hitch up on a hilly and rocky site (gorgeous site!) and hit the pin wrong. It moved one leg of the landing gear but not the other and the one that didn't move bent.

Oh, well! Trials and tribulations of boon docking!

Thanks for any thoughts and/or suggestions.

David

[DavidB]

Hello all,

Probably a stupid question but...

I was told when we did our walk-through (by the salesman) that the landing gear legs should always be set to the same height. But I've found that on some hilly sites that it is sometimes better to set one leg higher than the other. Is this ok?

Unfortunately, I have to take the rig in today because the one leg of the landing gear is bent and will no longer go up and down. I damaged it when I tried to hitch up on a hilly and rocky site (gorgeous site!) and hit the pin wrong. It moved one leg of the landing gear but not the other and the one that didn't move bent.

Oh, well! Trials and tribulations of boon docking!

Thanks for any thoughts and/or suggestions.

David

[Doug & Jo]

I do it all the time even when storing at home.

Doug

[Ken Lenger]

Your experience explains why it is a good idea to NOT have the landing gear extended the same amount on uneven terrain.

[Ray,IN]

Well, here's my shot at your question. The front legs should be the same length -only if your 5er is sitting on a flat, level(paved) site! The leg holes are usually 1" apart for uneven ground. The 5er must be leveled sideways first, then the jacks may be lowered. I drop the jack legs, then raise each until it snaps into the nearest hole. Depending on the site the legs may not be the same length, so I carry a piece of 1/2" plywood for spacing(remember those 1" spaced holes). Block the 5er wheels and detach the truck. I then position the jacks so the 5er front is about an inch low of level. I then lower the rear stabilizers to where they are touching. Now I raise the 5er front with the power jacks to obtain front to rear level, and the job is finished. This method reduces any twisting strain on the 5er frame as much as possible while parked.

[rehcuobbob]

DavidB:

I think I have avoided your problem by never having the steel pads rest directly on the ground, relying on a piece of 2X8 as a ground contact and this acts as a slip pad if I should nudge the unit while hitching up. I have been setting the legs to follow ground contour for the five years we have owned the fiver with no ill effects showing at this time. Cheers;

Bob

[DavidB]

Just got the quote on the repairs - $1500. The RV dealer also is telling me that the factory didn't install the landing gear supports properly. They should have been welded lower on the frame. Who knows? I've not been very impressed with Keystone's product. But the unit was in our price range and we have had so much fun with the girl! I think we counted up to 32 the number of trips in the last 2 years!

Thanks all for the thoughts. I think the biggest problem was that the landing gear legs were on different levels of the terrain which is why one leg moved and the other stayed put.

David