Leveling Jacks: deploy before or after slides?

[shepardmike]

I pull in, level, open a window, then deploy the slides. You wouldn't believe the amount of displaced air when you activate your slides in either direction.

[APhotoWizard]

Originally Posted by Lou_Meg

Just curious what some of you more experienced folks practice:

Do you deploy jacks & level your coach BEFORE deploying your slides or AFTER?

What say you?

My answer is yes and no. Followed by it depends.

If you stop in a location where the tires are not on a level surface, the frame of your coach is likely twisted slightly. This twist can cause the slides to jam or be damaged. For this reason, you would like to level BEFORE you extend any slides.

On the other hand, if you are stopped on a level surface, the frame is not twisted so it is likely OK to extend the slides without deploying the jacks. I have done so many times.

It comes down to how dangerous you want to play. The safest bet is to always level the coach before extending slides. This way, you have deflated the airbags and taken the pressure off the slide rails before you try to extend the slides.

To misquote a movie line: "Do you feel lucky today."

Happy campering.

[mgord1985]

Always jacks first. Never understood why slides first. Deploying a slide on uneven surface is hard on the slides and motors especially if the slide has to go "uphill" or the RV is not level. Slides are picky and like to be level when going out and in.

[jkorn]

Level coach first.

Slides will be happier if the are moving on a level platform.

[astrnmrtom]

For years I used to be of the level first, slide second kind of guy until one day I re-read the manual and it said slide first, then level. Never had a problem, but now I do it the way the manual says.

[AllegroD]

Tiffin RED 37BA


My manual says level first and then extend slides. That is what I do. I do the reverse to retract slides.

[bneumann]

IMHO, following the manual & making sure there is good power assist would be the obvious procedure. Also try staying on reasonably level sites; helps also with last stair step issues.

1. After jack levelling then extending slides, is there any periodic levelling adjustment to compensate for ground settling or weight redistribution (eq. tanks)?

2. Good idea to regularly operate jacks & slides (eg. monthly) if stationary long

3. Door open swings (or levels) in motorhome can assist to check level

4. Doubt air suction / push action has any effect with slow movements of slide


Easy to overthink anything, me included.