What do you do first???

jrlebaron · 09-06-2011, 07:09 AM

I've read several and heard many ways of inital setup. Jacks down slides out or slides out jacks down. Does anyone really know the proper way to do this? Even the coach manufactor and the frame manufactor don't always agree. Thanks for your input. Jim

az bound · 09-06-2011, 07:22 AM

In my opinion it is best to level first then put out the slides. My reasoning is that durring the leveling process the frame is being twisted to a certain extent as not all jacks are deployed at the same time. It's the way my manufacturer recomended so thats what I do.

Benny367 · 09-06-2011, 07:41 AM

To me the logical thing to do is to level the coach then put the slides out.
However, I have a HR Admiral SE and it states right in the owners manual to deploy the slides and then level the coach.

So I suggest you read the owners manual for your rig to be sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrlebaron

I've read several and heard many ways of inital setup. Jacks down slides out or slides out jacks down. Does anyone really know the proper way to do this? Even the coach manufactor and the frame manufactor don't always agree. Thanks for your input. Jim

**Gary RVRoamer** · 09-06-2011, 08:27 AM

I have two separate documents from my coach manufacturer, each stating a different procedure. One says slides first then level, the other says level then slides. So go figure. There is no consensus among other coach builders either.

I think some coach builders found that the coach tilted a bit when the slides went out, even if the jacks were down. That may have happened when there were 1-2 slides and both on the same side, a matter of balance. I have three slides and the coach doesn't tilt on the jacks when just one is deployed, so I don't worry about that.

I nearly always level before deploying the slides, but I don't make a religion out of it. If I stop in a Walmart of rest area and don't want to use the jacks, I still use slides as needed. It's not a big deal unless the coach is way off level. And in that case, both me and the fridge want to level up first anyway.

mccsix · 09-06-2011, 08:29 AM

Entegra says slides first, level second, but then they have a massive cross-bracing system on the frame so twisting isn't a problem.

RovinOn · 09-06-2011, 08:50 AM

05 Southwind,,, Jacks down and level first,,, Slides out 2nd.
I've never noticed a change in the coach being level after the slides went out.

Regards,
RovinOn

dons2346 · 09-06-2011, 09:29 AM

The proper way for you is to do whatever your owners manual says.

njs42 · 09-06-2011, 09:32 AM

Can it be harmful to level then put slides out?-----I can think of harm (binding, weight shift etc

if the coach is not level when slide are deployed---so I level first.

To answer your specific question----evidently no one knows or can say for sure it seems.

njs42 · 09-06-2011, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njs42

Can it be harmful to level then put slides out?-----I can think of harm (binding, weight shift etc

if the coach is not level when slide are deployed---so I level first.

To answer your specific question----evidently no one knows or can say for sure it seems.

I'll correct myself---yes do what your owners manual says---mine says level first.

Pairajays · 09-06-2011, 09:39 AM

So what is the winner? Sounds like it doesn't make any difference. That's why i like air bags instead of jacks.

Jim E

Cat320 · 09-06-2011, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by az bound

In my opinion it is best to level first then put out the slides. My reasoning is that durring the leveling process the frame is being twisted to a certain extent as not all jacks are deployed at the same time. It's the way my manufacturer recomended so thats what I do.

Same here.

**RJay** · 09-06-2011, 07:09 PM

If I'm parked on a solid pad(concrete/asphalt) I put jacks down then slides out. If on soft ground(dirt/grass) I put sides out first then level.

JimM68 · 09-06-2011, 08:07 PM

Monaco has always said slides out first, then jacks.

But they put the jack controls by the drivers seat and the slide controls on the main panel, nearly 35 feet back.
I kill the diesel, then turn the key back on.
Dump the air below 40 psi by stroking the brake pedal repeatedly.
Level manually.
Get up, go to the fridge, make a margarita.
Take my margarita back to the main panel, put out all 4 slides, duck into the bathroom and pee.
Take my margarita outside, plug in, hook up the water filter and water, stick the sanicon hose in the pipe and pull the gray valve.
Carry my margarita back around the other side, put out my mats if the ground is yucky, take out my CW recliners and folding martha stewart glass top table.
Take out and set up my weber grille, plug the rigs gas line into it.

and sit in my recliner and finish my margarita.