Community Forums

rawn77 · 04-24-2018, 07:40 PM

Hi,

I'll be picking up my first 5th wheel RV next week and wonder what the consensus is about leveling when boondocking for the night.
I've had TT's for the last 10 years, where I leveled them while still attached to my pickup.

Given that the manufacturer recommends the 5ver be level prior to any slide deployment, plus I like sleeping on a flat bed; what's the proper procedure for leveling for a blissful Walmart sleep?

BTW, I have auto leveling hydraulic jacks. So, I think my main question is; do I keep the 5ver attached to the pickup or not?

Thanks for any feedback
Ron

bofisher · 04-24-2018, 08:24 PM

Good question. I'm also curious of the same thing. Here is a free bump.

egwilly · 04-24-2018, 08:25 PM

For one night I don't get into the weeds about being exactly level. Most parking lots are close enough. I don't disconnect the truck either. Makes for easy get out of town next morning.

If at Walmart, or similar places, please don't deploy your slides or awning, put out lawn chairs, etc. I've seen folks barbecuing in the parking lot. That behavior is ruining it for all of us!

1bigmess · 04-24-2018, 08:33 PM

If the fridge is running, try to be level. I like to put a small bubble level on the floor of the freezer to check fore-aft and side-side level, because it's the fridge that will be damaged if you have it running while not level.

If no fridge use, no worries!

Wundertaker · 04-24-2018, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by egwilly

For one night I don't get into the weeds about being exactly level. Most parking lots are close enough. I don't disconnect the truck either. Makes for easy get out of town next morning.

If at Walmart, or similar places, please don't deploy your slides or awning, put out lawn chairs, etc. I've seen folks barbecuing in the parking lot. That behavior is ruining it for all of us!

No slides? How do I get to the bedroom and bathroom?

grindstone01 · 04-24-2018, 08:43 PM

We always find a camp ground for one night stays which are usually level and just leave the truck hooked up. At the most, I will put a 2X8 board under the tires on one side of the FW if needed for leveling and then drop the legs to stabilize the camper. Good enough for one night.

egwilly · 04-25-2018, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wundertaker

No slides? How do I get to the bedroom and bathroom?

If your trailer is designed to need the slides out to gain access, you have no choice then.

The point I'm making is that Walmart, Flying J, and other places are not campgounds.

glennwest · 04-25-2018, 08:29 AM

We are suppose to tow level. So camper should be fairly level for over night. Now I unhook but I have air hitch and if truck air leaks down!!!!!!

weredoingit · 04-25-2018, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wundertaker

No slides? How do I get to the bedroom and bathroom?

To each his own, but I would not own an RV that you have to put a slide out to use the bathroom. When my wife and I travel she doesn't like using public restrooms. It's way to easy to pull over in a wide spot use the restroom, sometimes we stop and sit at our table and have lunch on the side of the road. I can't imagine having to open a slide every time we need to use the rig.

As for leveling at a Wal-Mart paring lot, REALLY?

bddadles · 04-25-2018, 02:08 PM

I never unhook for an overnight unless the site is not long enough for the entire rig.
If you need to open a side to get in the bathroom or the fridge I'll bet your next one will let you.

RoadEyePie · 04-25-2018, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1bigmess

If the fridge is running, try to be level. I like to put a small bubble level on the floor of the freezer to check fore-aft and side-side level, because it's the fridge that will be damaged if you have it running while not level.

If no fridge use, no worries!

I'm just reading to learn, but let's assume he is running the fridge. You just told him he needs to be level or he'll ruin the fridge, but no one answered his question of "how". Do you drop the trailer and use auto level or leave it hooked up and use the leveler?

Quote:

Originally Posted by glennwest

We are suppose to tow level. So camper should be fairly level for over night. Now I unhook but I have air hitch and if truck air leaks down!!!!!!

I'm sorry but I don't understand this, ...but I have air hitch and if truck air leaks down????? what, meaning you always unhook to prevent problems if the air leaks? Does this imply that one who does not have air hitch would not need to unhook?

tuffr2 · 04-25-2018, 04:05 PM

Every place I have ever stopped was level enough not to be an issue.

I run the refrigerator while going up and down mountains.

glennwest · 04-25-2018, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manwithnorv

I'm just reading to learn, but let's assume he is running the fridge. You just told him he needs to be level or he'll ruin the fridge, but no one answered his question of "how". Do you drop the trailer and use auto level or leave it hooked up and use the leveler?

I'm sorry but I don't understand this, ...but I have air hitch and if truck air leaks down????? what, meaning you always unhook to prevent problems if the air leaks? Does this imply that one who does not have air hitch would not need to unhook?

My tow vehicle is a converted Semi. Yes if air leaks down, hitch will drop. All that weight will be hanging on my Teton. So I always unhook.

RoadEyePie · 04-25-2018, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glennwest

My tow vehicle is a converted Semi. Yes if air leaks down, hitch will drop. All that weight will be hanging on my Teton. So I always unhook.

Again, I'm sorry I don't understand a lot, but couldn't you leave it hooked and drop the jacks or leveling feet so it the air did leak, the feet would stop it from dropping. Thanks for helping me learn what I don't know.