Community Forums

Fishalaska1 · 10-26-2016, 08:06 PM

When traveling and you stop just for the night in a rest area or such, do you disconnect, drop jacks and fully level before sliding out rooms? Everything I read says it has to be level and jacks down so you dont break the slides.

Mr_D · 10-26-2016, 08:22 PM

I have air leveling and yes I level IF I'm going to put the slides out. But for just a overnight stay I don't bother putting the slides out at all.

Gordon Dewald · 10-26-2016, 08:30 PM

Yes - if the slides go out the jacks are deployed and the coach leveled. Even in the shop where the floor is fairly level. Going back to have a slide repaired will take more time and effort than leveling. I am going over the top but it has worked so far.

lenkerb · 10-26-2016, 09:11 PM

Yes, jacks deployed first before slide goes out...Walmarts, Cracker Barrels, casinos...

Fishalaska1 · 10-26-2016, 09:14 PM

And you have to disconnect to deploy jacks so it takes some time to get setup?

Skip426 · 10-26-2016, 09:33 PM

When I towed a 5er, and stopped in a rest area or Walmart , I'd look for a level spot and never put a slide out, disconnect, or drop the levelers, same now with the coach , particularly since a leveling jack can sink into pavement and not retract.
Slides extended in a rest area can put you wider than the lane and get damaged if someone pulls in beside you.

vsheetz · 10-26-2016, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishalaska1

And you have to disconnect to deploy jacks so it takes some time to get setup?

No need to disconnect the toad.

vsheetz · 10-26-2016, 09:45 PM

If slides are out, jacks down and coach is level first.

Fishalaska1 · 10-26-2016, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

No need to disconnect the toad.

The hydraulic jacks cant lift the truck too. Do yours?

MtnTrek · 10-27-2016, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishalaska1

The hydraulic jacks cant lift the truck too. Do yours?

You probably shouldn't try to lift your TV...
More than likely their dingy's tow bar has enough swing that leveling doesn't create enough angle to bother the connection.

We feel that anything more of just finding a level spot in a remote area to rest for a few hrs. is bad form. Wallidocking 101 is to appear/be ready to roll at a moments notice. No slides, awnings, leveling jacks, etc. A small puddle of condensate from the A/C should be the only thing left behind.
Even though we carry a king-pin lock I'd seldom disconnect at anything less than a CG.
Often for a quick in-out even at a CG we'll stay connected and near level manually, (nix the autolevel) I can get it close enough after all those yrs. of blocks and crank stabilizers.

You are correct in that your slides will stay in better alignment etc. if the coach is level first. Some are more forgiving than others.

Be stealthy and well.

Fishalaska1 · 10-27-2016, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtnTrek

You probably shouldn't try to lift your TV...
More than likely their dingy's tow bar has enough swing that leveling doesn't create enough angle to bother the connection.

We feel that anything more of just finding a level spot in a remote area to rest for a few hrs. is bad form. Wallidocking 101 is to appear/be ready to roll at a moments notice. No slides, awnings, leveling jacks, etc. A small puddle of condensate from the A/C should be the only thing left behind.
Even though we carry a king-pin lock I'd seldom disconnect at anything less than a CG.
Often for a quick in-out even at a CG we'll stay connected and near level manually, (nix the autolevel) I can get it close enough after all those yrs. of blocks and crank stabilizers.

You are correct in that your slides will stay in better alignment etc. if the coach is level first. Some are more forgiving than others.

Be stealthy and well.

That is what I thought. I can not access much of my Raptor with the slides in. One side if the King bed and bathroom is about it and all I really need.

FaithBowls · 10-27-2016, 07:29 AM

You can open slides at walmart and rest areas. Many do and walmart doesn't mind. Check rest stop posted regulations - some don't allow generators and most have time limits / don't allow overnight parking. I've never seen anything against slides or unhitching. Unless you're breaking local laws that don't allow overnight parking, you're fine. An rv is not more inconspicuous with the slides in. If you're parked illegaly, it doesn't matter. Tickets are for illegal parking, not for using levelers and slides. Back to the original question... yes put the jacks down before opening slides but don't use auto level if you're connected to your tow vehicle. Do manual leveling only because auto level can easily go too high for a connected truck. Plus auto level usually starts by lowering the trailer below the hitched level. Even in manual mode, dont go too high or too much side to side while hitched. I've leveled while hitched many times and it works fine as long as you don't have to move it a lot. If you can't get level in manual mode, then move to a more level spot or unhitch. If you're worried about unhitching, keep the truck in front of the trailer but move it out of the way before auto leveling.

JohnBoyToo · 10-27-2016, 07:43 AM

Thanks for the responses from the motorhome goombas like me

but the OP has a pickup and 5'er.

When we had our 5'er and we just stopped 'on the way AT A PARK'(wife didn't believe in wallydocking!) to somewhere, I did the least amount of work possible.. but in our Redwood and the previous 5'er, it meant having to open slides if we wanted to get into living room...

We COULD get into bath and bedroom without opening slides, but just wasn't as comfortable - and would plug in is all - no water/sewer hookups, no leveling...

jpharley · 10-27-2016, 08:22 AM

No, if we do not plan to disconnect, we deploy slides and never put the jacks down.. Would never put the jacks down in a rest area, Wal-Mart, or other place that may allow a free parking spot because the jacks could damage their parking lot.